Neurology Flashcards
Deep tendon reflexes and their nerve roots?
Ankle (S1-S2)
Knee (L3-L4)
Biceps (C5-C6)
Triceps (C7-C8)
Motor (descending) pathways?
Pyramidal tracts
→ corticospinal
Extrapyramidal tracts
→ rubrospinal
→ reticulospinal
→ vestibulospinal
→ tectospinal
Function of the motor (descending) pathways?
Pyramidal = conscious movement
Extrapyramidal = unconscious movement
→ rubrospinal = flexors and extensors
→ reticulospinal = eye and respiratory muscles
→ vestibulospinal = posture and balance
→ tectospinal = reflex movements
Sensory (ascending) pathways?
DCML
Spinocerebellar tracts
Spinothalamic tracts
Function of the sensory (ascending) pathways?
DCML = proprioception, fine touch, pressure, vibration
Spinocerebellar = proprioception
Spinothalamic = pain and temperature
Types of stroke?
Ischaemic (85%)
Haemorrhagic (15%)
Features of anterior vs middle vs posterior cerebral artery stroke?
Anterior = contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss, lower limbs > upper limbs
Middle = contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss, lower limbs < upper limbs, contralateral homonymous hemianopia, aphasia
Posterior = contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing, visual agnosia
Oxford stroke classification assessment criteria?
- Hemiparesis +/- hemisensory loss
- Homonomyous hemianopia
- Higher cognitive dysfunction e.g. dysphasia
Oxford stroke classification features of TACI vs PACI?
TACI = all 3 features
PACI = 2 features
FAST stroke campaign?
Face = is one side droopy? can they smile?
Arms = can they raise them and keep them there?
Speech = is it slurred?
Time = call 999 if there is any of the above
Investigation for suspected stroke?
Non-contrast CT head
Acute management options for ischaemic stroke?
Thrombolysis (if < 4.5 hours)
Thrombectomy (if < 6 hours)
Aspirin 300mg daily
Long-term management of ischaemic stroke?
1st line = clopidogrel
N.B. add anti-hypertensive, statin etc. if needed
Advice for starting anticoagulants for AF post-stroke?
Only commence after haemorrhagic stroke excluded and at least 14 days has passed
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)?
Transient neurological dysfunction without acute infarction
Symptoms typically resolve within 1 hour
Investigations for TIA?
MRI
Carotid artery doppler
Dysarthria vs dysphasia vs aphasia?
Dysarthria = weakness of muscles involved in speech
Dysphasia = partial loss of language
Aphasia = complete loss of language
Where is Broca’s vs Wernicke’s area?
Broca’s = frontal lobe
Wernicke’s = temporal
Cause of Wernicke’s aphasia and features?
Lesion of the superior temporal gyrus
→ non-sensical speech
→ remains fluent
→ comprehension/insight impaired
Cause of Broca’s aphasia and features?
Lesion of the inferior frontal gyrus
→ laboured and halting speech
→ non-fluent
→ repetition is poor
→ comprehension/insight preserved
Cause of conduction aphasia and features?
Lesion of the arcuate fasciculus (connection between Wernicke’s → Broca’s)
→ fluent speech
→ repetition is poor
→ comprehension/insight preserved
Red flags of headache?
Immunosuppressed
PMH malignancy
Sudden and severe
Age < 20
Neurological deficit
Worse on coughing, sneezing etc.
Features of a migraine?
Unilateral or bilateral throbbing pain
N&V, photophobia, phonophobia
Preceding aura e.g. visual change
Can last up to 72 hours
Acute management of a migraine?
Triptan + NSAID or paracetamol
Drug options for migraine prophylaxis?
Propanolol
Topiramate
Amitriptyline
Advice for contraception in women with migraines?
COCP absoutely contraindicated
Triptan examples, mechanism of action and side effects?
Examples = sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
Mechanism of action = 5-HT1 agonists
Side effects = tingling, heat, chest tightness
Features and management of tension headaches?
Bilateral, band-like pain
No aura or associated symptoms
May be related to stress
Management = aspirin, paracetamol or NSAID
Features and management of cluster headaches?
Sharp, stabbing pain around eye
Redness, lacrimation, eyelid swelling
Clusters usually last 4-12 weeks
Management = oxygen + triptan (acute), verapamil (prophylaxis)
Investigation for cluster headaches?
MRI with gadolinium contrast
Management of trigeminal neuralgia?
Carbamazepine
Seizure vs epilepsy?
Seizure = single episode of abnormal electrical activity with many causes e.g. fever, hypoglycaemia
Epilepsy = chronic seizure activity
Generalised vs focal seizure subtypes?
Generalised
→ tonic-clonic (grand mal)
→ myoclonic
→ absence (petit mal)
→ atonic
Focal
→ focal aware
→ focal impaired awareness
Management of focal, tonic-clonic, myoclonic, absence and atonic seizures?
Focal = lamotrigine or levetiracetam
Tonic-clonic = lamotrigine (female), sodium valproate (male)
Myoclonic = levetiracetam (female), sodium valproate (male)
Absence = ethosuximide
Atonic = lamotrigine (female), sodium valproate (male)
DVLA guidance for epilepsy?
- Must surrender licence if has a seizure
- Reapply after 6 months if one-off
- Reapply after 12 months if more than one
- Established epilepsy may qualify if at least 12 months seizure-free
- No driving if withdrawing from medication and for 6 months after last dose
Status epilepticus?
Seizure lasting > 5 minutes or ≥ 2 seizures within 5 minutes
Pre-hospital mangement of status epilepticus?
Rectal diazepam or buccal midazolam
Hospital manegement of status epilepticus?
1st line = IV lorazepam
2nd line = IV phenytoin or phenobarbital