Neurology Flashcards
What is crescendo TIA?
2+ TIAs in a week
What is the clinical scoring tool for stroke?
ROSIER. Anything above 0= likely
What dose is the stat dose of aspirin in stroke?
300mg
What is the treatment window for thrombolysis in stroke?
4.5 hours
What is the secondary prevention of stroke?
Clopidogrel 75mg OD and Atorvastatin 80mg
How is GCS calculated
E4V5M6
Eyes:
Spontaneous=4
Speech=3
Pain=2
None=1
Verbal:
Orientated=5
Confused=4
Inappropriate words=3
Incomprehensible=2
None=1
Motor:
Obeys commands=6
Localises pain=5
Withdraws from pain=4
Abnormal flexion=3
Extends=2
None=1
What is the lowest possible GCS?
3/15
What are the features of a subdural haemorrhage?
Caused by bridging veins
CT scan shows crescent shape
Not limited by cranial sutures
What are the features of a extradural haemorrhage?
Usually caused by rupture of the middle meningeal artery
Bi-convex shape
Limited by cranial sutures
What causes are subarachnoid haemorrhages particularly associated with?
Cocaine and sickle cell anaemia
(also strenuous activity such as weight lifting and sex)
What causes MS?
Inflammatory process activating the immune cells against myelin - results in demylination
Which cells are attacked in MS?
Oligodendrocytes
What is the diganostic criteria for MS
Disseminated in SPACE and TIME
What is the most common presentation of MS?
Optic neuritis
What are the features of a 6th cranial nerve palsy?
Palsy results in defective abduction → horizontal diplopia
What is Lhermitte’s sign?
Electric shock sensation that travels down the spine and into limbs when flexing the neck
what are the two types of ataxia which can be seen in MS?
Sensory and cerebellar
What are the 3 patterns of progression in MS?
Relapsing-Remitting
Primary Progressive
Secondary progressive
How is MS diagnosed?
MRI
Lumbar puncture- oligoclonal bands
What are the key features of optic neuritis
Central scotoma (central blind spot)
Pain
Impaired colour vision
Relative afferent pupillary defect
How can MS be managed?
DMARDs and biologic therapy (natalizumab or ocrelizumab)
Methylprednisolone for relapses (500mg orally daily)
Symptomatic treatment
What is progressive bulbar palsy?
Second most common form of motor neurone disease which affects the muscles of talking and swallowing
What is affected in MND?
There is progressive upper and lower motor neurone degeneration. Sensory neurones are spared
What are the signs of lower motor neurone disease?
Muscle wasting
Reduced tone
Fasciculations
Reduced reflexes
What are the signs of upper motor neurone disease?
Increased tone or spasticity
Brisk reflexes
Upgoing plantar responses
What is the management of MND?
Riluzole can slow the progression (prevents stimulation of glutamate receptors)
Non-invasive ventilation
End of life care planning
What is the triad of parkinson’s disease?
Resting tremor
Rigidity
Bradykinesia
What type of tremor is found in parkinson’s?
“pill-rolling tremor”
Name 4 parkinson’s plus syndromes?
multisystem atrophy
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Progressive supranuclear palsy
Corticobasal degeneration
What is the management of parkinsons?
Levodopa +carbidopa (can be given as combination drugs co-benyldopa/ co-careldopa)
COMT inhibitors (entacapone)
Dopamine agonists (Cabergoline/Ropinirole)
MAO-B inhibitors (selegiline)
What is the main side effect of levodopa?
Dyskinesias (excessive motor activity)
What is a notable side effect of dopamine agonists? give an example of this drug.
Cabergoline
Pulmonary fibrosis
What is the pathopysiology of Parkinson’s
Reduced dopamine in the basal ganglia
What are the features of a benign tremor?
Fine
Symmetrical
More prominent on voluntary movement
Worse when tired, stress, caffeine
What is the management of benign tremor?
Propanolol
What investigations should be done in epilepsy?
EEG
MRI brain
ECG
Whats the first line and second line management of tonic-clonic seizures?
1st= sodium valporate
2nd lamotrigine or cabamazipine
Where do focal seizures start?
temporal lobes
Whats the first line and second line management of focal seizures?
1st= cabamazipine or lamotrigine
2nd= sodium valporate
Whats the management of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy?
Sodium valporate
What is West syndrome?
Infantile spasms. Starts at around 6 months and is characterised by full body spasms