Neurology Flashcards
What is the maximum score a patient can get on the Glasgow coma scale?
15
What is the lowest score a patient can get on the Glasgow coma scale?
3
What are the two types of stroke?
Ischaemic and haemorrhagic
What is the most common type of stroke?
Ischaemic
What causes an Ischaemic stroke?
Thrombus or embolus
What are causes of a haemorrhagic stroke?
Burst blood vessel
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Intracerebral bleed
Most common cause = Hypertensive vasculopathy
What are the 3 main criteria assessed in stroke?
Unilateral hemiparesis
Homonymous hemianopia
Higher cognitive dysfunction (eg dysphasia)
How does a total anterior circulation infarction present?
All 3 - unilateral hemiparesis, homonymous hemianopia, higher cognitive dysfunction
How does a partial anterior circulation infarction present ?
Only 2 of unilateral hemiparesis/homonymous hemianopia/higher cognitive dysfunction
How does a lacunar infarct present?
1 of:
Unilateral weakness
Pure sensory stroke
Ataxic hemiparesis
How does a posterior circulation infarction present?
1 of:
Cerebellar/brain stem syndrome
Loss of consciousness
Isolated homonymous hemianopia
What is the first investigation conducted in stroke? What is the gold standard?
Non contrast CT - rule out haemorrhagic stroke
Gold standard = diffusion weighted MRI
How is an ischaemic stroke managed
300mg aspirin (continue for 2 weeks)
Thrombolysis with alteplase (if within 4.5 hours of stroke symptoms)
Thrombectomy (if within 6 hours and proximal anterior circulation stroke)
How long within onset of stroke symptoms does alteplase (thrombolysis) need to be administered?
Within 4.5 hours
What are contraindications to thrombolysis with alteplase in ischaemic stroke?
Previous intracranial haemorrhage Seizure at onset of stroke Suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage Lumbar puncture in the last 7 days Active bleeding Pregnancy Uncontrolled HTN
What kind of stroke can a thrombectomy be done in?
A proximal anterior circulation infarct
How soon within onset of stroke symptoms does thrombectomy need to occur?
Within 6 hours
What is the medical management of stroke?
300mg Aspirin daily for 2 weeks
If AF diagnosed on inpatient, wait the 2 weeks before commencing anticoagulants
After 2 weeks is up…
1) Clopidogrel 75mg
Or Aspirin + Dipyridamole
2) Statin
3) Anti-hypertensives
If AF –> Start a DOAC
What is a subdural haemorrhage?
Rupture of the bridging veins between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater
How is a subdural haemorrhage seen on CT?
Crescent shaped
Blood crosses suture lines
If acute - bright lesion (hyper dense)
If chronic - dark lesion (hypodense)
What is the cause of an acute subdural haemorrhage?
High impact trauma
Which people are at risk of a chronic subdural haemorrhage?
Alcoholics and the elderly
How is a subdural haemorrhage managed?
Chronic = Decompression with burr holes Acute = decompressive craniotomy
What is an extradural haematoma?
Rupture of the middle meningeal artery
How does an extradural haematoma look on a CT?
Hyperdense area - Bi-convex/lens shaped
Blood does not cross the suture lines
How does an extradural haematoma usually present?
Loss of consciousness followed by a lucid interval and then worsening of symptoms
Which type of intracranial bleed is associated with a lucid period?
Extradural haematoma
What is an intracerebral haemorrhage ?
A bleed within the brain tissue
What is the cause of a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Ruptured cerebral aneurysm (Berry aneurysm)
How does a subarachnoid haemorrhage present?
Sudden severe occipital headache
Nausea and vomiting
Photophobia
Neck stiffness
What is seen on lumbar puncture in subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Xanthochromia due to increased bilirubin
Normal /raised opening pressure
How long after presentation of SAH can you do a lumbar puncture?
Need to wait at least 12 hours from onset of symptoms
How is an SAH managed?
Insertion of coil
21 day course of Nimodipine
What is multiple sclerosis?
An autoimmune disorder causing demyelination of myelinated neurones
What is the most common form of multiple sclerosis?
Relapsing remitting
What are some eye features of multiple sclerosis?
Optic neuritis - reduced vision, pain on eye movement
Uhthoff’s phenomenon - worsening of vision following rise in body temp
Internuclear opthalmoplegia
What are some sensory symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Pins and needles
Numbness
Trigeminal neuralgia
Lhermitte’s syndrome - electric shock sensation in limbs on neck flexion
How is multiple sclerosis seen on MRI?
Peri ventricular plaques
How is multiple sclerosis see on lumbar puncture?
Oligoclonal bands in the CSF
How is an acute relapse of multiple sclerosis managed?
High dose steroids (oral or IV methylprednisolone)
What is a disease modifying drug used in multiple sclerosis?
Beta interferon
What is motor neurone disease?
Umbrella term for condition that leads to destruction of motor neurones
What is the most common type of motor neurone disease?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
How does amyotrophic lateral sclerosis present?
LMN signs in the arms
UMN signs in the legs
What are upper motor neurone signs?
Increased tone
Spasticity
Brisk reflexes
Upgoing plantar reflexes
What are lower motor neurone signs?
Muscle wasting
Reduced tone
Muscle twitching
Reduced reflexes
How is motor neurone disease managed?
Riluzole may extend survival by a few months
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Condition where there is progressive reduction of dopamine in the substantia nigra
What is the triad of symptoms seen in Parkinson’s ?
- Resting tremor - asymmetrical, pill-rolling
- Bradykinesia - shuffling gait, micrographia, reduced arm swing
- Rigidity
What other symptoms are seen in Parkinson’s?
Depression Drooling of saliva Reduced facial expressions Fatigue Postural hypotension
What is the first line management of Parkinson’s?
If motor symptoms affecting quality of life - levodopa
If motor symptoms not affecting quality of life - can also use a dopamine agonist eg cabergoline/bromocriptine
What are side effects of levodopa?
Dyskinesia (uncontrollable muscle movements) Dry mouth Anorexia Palpitations Red discolouration of urine
How can you tell whether a tremor is an essential tremor or due to Parkinson’s ?
Essential tremor is worse on movement and better on resting
Essential tremor is symmetrical
How can an essential tremor be managed?
Propranolol
How does a generalised tonic clonic seizure present?
Loss of consciousness
Tongue biting
Tonic and clonic episodes
What is first line for a tonic clonic seizure?
Sodium valproate
What is first line for absence seizures?
Sodium valproate or ethosuximide
What is first line for atonic seizures?
Sodium valproate
What is first line for myoclonic seizures?
Sodium valproate
How does a temporal lobe focal seizure present?
Hallucinations, memory flashbacks, deja vu
How does a frontal lobe focal seizure present?
Head/leg movements, Jacksonian March, post-ictal weakness
What is the first line management for focal seizures?
Carbamazepine/lamotrigime
How long must you be seizure free to drive?
Single seizure - 6 months
Established epilepsy/multiple seizures - 12 months
bus drivers etc - 5 years one seizure, 10 years more than one
Which anti epileptic drug is used in pregnancy?
Lamotrigine
What is status epilepticus?
Either
A single seizure more than 5 minutes
Or
2 or more seizures within 5 minutes without the patient returning to normal in between
How do you manage a patient with status epilepticus?
ABCDE Secure the airway Administer oxygen Insert cannula Check blood glucose
Administer IV Lorazepam/ Rectal diazepam / Buccal midazolam
This can be repeated in 10 mins but only once
How do you manage status epilepticus which is still ongoing after two doses of 4mg IV Lorazepam?
IV Phenytoin or Phenoarbital
What kind of genetic pattern is Huntington’s?
Autosomal dominant
What phenomenon do you witness with future generations of Huntington’s chorea?
Genetic anticipation - successive generations have
1) earlier age of onset
2) increased severity of disease
How does Huntington’s present?
Initially cognitive/psychiatric/mood problems
Then movement disorders:
Chorea
Eye movement disorders
Dysarthria
Dysphagia
What is myasthenia gravis?
An autoimmune disorder against acetylcholine receptors in the neuromuscular junction
What type of tumour is myasthenia gravis associated with?
Thymoma
Which autoantibody is seen in myasthenia gravis?
Acetylcholine receptor antibodies
How does myasthenia gravis present?
Muscle fatigabilty - muscles get weaker the more they’re used
Extraocular muscle weakness - Diplopia
Eyelid weakness - ptosis
Facial weakness
Jaw fatigue when chewing
How is myasthenia gravis managed?
Pyridogstigmine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor)
What is a myasthenia crisis?
Acute worsening of symptoms in someone with myasthenia gravis
Respiratory failure
How is a myasthenic crisis managed?
Non invasive ventilation
IV Immunoglobulins
How does Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome present?
Someone with small cell lung cancer
Muscle weakness - sometimes improves with use
Usually in the proximal leg muscles
Can also cause diplopia and ptosis
How is Lambert Eaton managed? (Including specific drug)
Treat underlying malignancy
Amifampridine (symptomatic)
What is a normal intracranial pressure?
7-15
What are causes of a raised ICP?
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension Traumatic head injury Meningitis Encephalitis Brain Abscess Tumour - endocrine, metastases, primary Hydrocephalus
How does raised ICP present?
Headache worse in the morning
Vomiting
Reduced consciousness
Papilloedema
Cushing’s triad - Bradycardia, Raised BP, Bradypnoea
How is raised ICP managed? (3 steps)
IV mannitol
Head elevation to 30 degrees
Controlled hyperventilation
How does a parietal lobe lesion present?
Apraxia (inability to perform movements on command)
Astereognosis (inability to identify objects by feel)
CONTRALATERAL Inferior homonymous quadrantanopia
How does an occipital lobe lesion present?
Homonymous hemianopia with macular spearing
Cortical blindness (vision loss)
Visual agnosia - inability to recognise familiar people/objects
How does a temporal lobe lesion present?
Wernickes aphasia - fluent speech but with word substitution
CONTRALATERAL Superior homonymous qudrantanopia
Auditory agnosia - inability to recognise familiar sounds/voices
Difficulty recognising faces
How does a frontal lobe lesion present?
Brocas aphasia - non fluent halting speech
Disinhibition
Perseveration
Anosmia
What is the most common cancer that metastasises to the brain?
Lung
What is the most common primary brain tumour in adults?
Glioblastoma
What are first line treatments for neuropathic pain?
Amitripytyline/pregabalin/gabapentin/duloxetine
How does trigeminal neuralgia present?
Severe unilateral pain on the face
Triggered by washing/talking/smoking/brushing teeth
How is trigeminal neuralgia managed?
Carbamazepine