Neurology Flashcards
what are the four strokes in the bamford classification
total anterior circulation
partial anterior circulation
lacunar
posterior circulation
3 criteria for the classification of a total or partial anterior circulation stroke
- unilateral weakness/sensory loss of the face, arms and leg
- homogenous hemianopia
- higher cerebral dysfunction (dysphagia, visuospatial disorder)
(2 or 3 of above)
which artery is compromised in an anterior circulation stroke
middle and anterior cerebral artery
4 criteria in a lacunar stroke
- pure sensory
- pure motor
- sensorimotor
- ataxic hemiparesis
(1 of above)
which arteries are compromised in a lacunar stroke
arteries in the thalamus, basal ganglia or internal capsule
5 criteria for posterior circulation stroke
- CN palsy + contralateral motor/sensory deficit
- bilateral motor/sensory deficit
- conjugate eye movement disorder
- cerebellar dysfunction
- isolated HH/cortical blindness
which artery is compromised in a posterior circulation stroke
vertebrobasilar arteries
contralateral limb sensory loss
ipsilateral ataxia, nystagmus, dysphagia, facial numbness and horners
lateral medullary syndrome
which artery is compromised in lateral medullary syndrome
posterior inferior cerebellar artery
features of lateral medullary syndrome with added ipsilateral facial paralysis and deafness
lateral pontine syndrome
which artery is compromised in lateral pontine syndrome
anterior inferior cerebellar artery
ipsilateral CN3 palsy and contralateral weakness
weber’s syndrome
which artery is compromised in webers syndrome
midbrain branch of the posterior cerebral artery
locked in syndrome
lesion to basilar artery
reduced GCS, paralysis, bilateral pinpoint pupils
pontine haemorrhage
dominant hemisphere middle cerebral artery haemorrhage causes what
aphasia
imaging for stroke
non-contrast CT
hyperdense CT
haemorrhage
when do you give aspirin
after the CT
how do you assess carotid artery stenosis
USS
when would you perform a carotid endardectomy
more than 70% occlusion and symptomatic
management of a large stroke
thrombolysis and thrombectomy
management of TIA
300mg aspirin
driving rules after TIA
do not drive for 1 month
no need to inform DVLA
what medication combination would you give if clopidogrel was not tolerated for secondary prevention of stroke
aspirin and modified release dipyramidole
assessment score for stroke in ED
ROSIER
assessment score for ADL after stroke
barthel index
lesion in superior v inferior temporal gyrus
superior: wernicke
inferior: broca
fluent speech, poor repetition but comprehension intact
conduction aphasia
extradural v subdural haematoma on CT
extradural: biconvex does not cross suture lines
subdural: cresent and crosses suture lines
3 causes of a chronic subdural haematoma
alcoholic, elderly, shaken baby
cause of an acute subdural haematoma
high impact injury - risk of herniation
how do you differentiate between an acute and chronic subdural haematoma
chronic is hypodense (dark)
acute is hyperdense
what veins are damaged in a subdural haematoma
bridging veins
ipsilateral down and out eye
dilated pupil (mydriasis) and ptosis
third nerve palsy
cause of a painful third nerve palsy
posterior communicating artery aneurysm
decreased abduction and horizontal diplopia
sixth nerve palsy
cause of a sixth nerve palsy
raised ICP (long course of nerve) from tumour
unilateral throbbing and recurrent headache with aura, nausea and photosensitivity which impacts ADL and is associated with menstruation
migraine
prophylaxis and treatment for migraine
prophylaxis: propranolol or topiramate
treatment: triptan
side effect and contraindication for triptans
throat/chest tightness
CVD
recurrent bilateral headache like a band which does not impact ADL
tension headache
15-20 minute severe headache occurring 1-2x daily for 4-12 weeks associated with lacrimation and red painful eyes
cluster headache
3 RF for cluster headache
male, alcohol, smoking
treatment and prophylaxis for cluster headaches
treatment: oxygen and SC sumatriptan
prophylaxis: verapamil
rapid onset unilateral headache in a 60y/o associated with temporal tenderness and jaw claudication
temporal arteritis
marker for temporal arteritis
ESR
sharp unilateral facial pain triggered by chewing or touching the face
trigeminal neuralgia
how do you manage a medication overuse headache
stop simple analgesia and triptans immediately
withdraw opioids slowly
how many days of headache is needed for the diagnosis of a medication overuse headache
15 days a month
sudden onset headache with nausea, vomiting and LOC
venous sinus thrombus
investigation and treatment for venous sinus thrombosis
MRI venography and LMWH
headache worse on standing, associated with marfans and LP and treated with caffeine and fluids
spontaneous intracranial hypertension from CSF leak
obese young female with headache and blurred vision
perhaps taking COCP, tetracyclines, steroids, lithium, vitamin A or who is pregnant
idiopathic intracranial hypertension
treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension
weight loss, diuretics, LP, surgery, topiramate, acetylzolamide
iatrogenic cause of a low pressure headache
LP
sudden onset headache and visual field defect with signs of pituitary deficiency such as low blood pressure
pituitary apoplexy
treatment of pituitary apoplexy
urgent steroids
benign tumour from the meninges with well defined borders
meningioma
vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, loss of corneal reflex
acoustic neuroma
vestibular schwannoma
investigations for acoustic neuroma
MRI of cerebellopontine angle and audiogram
pus covered by pyogenic membrane in brain
brain abscess
treatment of brain abscess
IV cef and metro
confusion, gait ataxia, nystagmus and opthalmoplegia
wernickes encephalopathy
amnesia and confabulation
korsakoff syndrome
?CSF from nose or ears
check glucose level
urinary incontinence, gait abnormality and dementia
normal pressure hydrocephalus
ventricle size in normal pressure hydrocephalus
increased
most common complication of meningitis
sensorineural hearing loss
most common primary for brain mets
lung
no improvement in facial paralysis from bells palsy in 3w
urgent referral to ENT
facial nerve palsy and increased size of parotid gland
sarcoidosis
at what GCS should you intubate
8
GCS
E = 4
V = 5
M = 6
take the best response
role of controlled hyperventilation
reduces carbon dioxide which causes vasoconstriction and reduced ICP
physiological response to raised ICP
cushings reflex
blood pressure, heart rate and pulse pressure in the cushings reflex
bp raised
HR reduced
wide pulse pressure
seizure in which lobe lasts for 1 minute, associated with automatisms (lip smacking), aura, dejavu, hallucinations and LOC
temporal lobe
seizure in which lobe causes motor symptoms
e.g. head/leg movements, posturing, post-ictal weakness, jacksonian march (clonic movements)
frontal lobe
seizure in which lobe causes sensory loss
e.g. paraesthesia
parietal lobe
seizure in which lobe causes visual changes
e.g. flashers/floaters
occipital lobe
driving after an uprovoked/1st seizure with normal imaging and EEG
do not drive for 6 months
seizures in the morning or after sleep deprivation
juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
woman falls to the ground and is motionless
atonic seizure
laughter causing collapse
cataplexy
what provokes absence seizures
hyperventillation
widespread convulsions with no LOC
pseudoseizure
differentiating between a true and pseudoseizure
prolactin
medical management of generalised tonic clonic seizures in males and females
male: sodium valproate
female: lamotrigine/levetricetam
1st and 2nd line management of focal seizures
1st: lamotrigine/levetricetam
2nd: carbemazepine
medical management of absence seizures
ethosuximide
medical management of tonic/atonic seizures in males and females
male: sodium valproate
female: lamotrigine
which medication worsens absence seizures
carbemazepine
which 2 epilepsy medications cause steven johnson syndrome
carbamazepine and tamotrigine
management of steven johnson syndrome
IV fluids
which medication alters folate metabolism causing megaloblastic anaemia
phenytoin
which epilepsy drug causes weight gain
sodium valproate
when can you stop antiepileptics
withdraw slowly over 2-3m if seizure free for 2 years
4 lines of management of status epilepticus
- Buccal midazolam/PR diazepam (10mg adult, 0.5mg child)
- IV lorazepam (max 2)
- IV phenytoin/phenobarbitol
- Rapid sequence induction (after 45 mins)
Explain the difference between tuberus sclerosis and neurofibromatoma
neuro: axillary/groin freckles
tub: ash leaf spots, adenoma sebaceum, shagreem, subungal fibromatoma, epilepsy
which neurofibromatoma has an association with acoustic neuroma
2
inheritance of tuberus sclerosis and neurofibromatoma
autosomal dominant
most common type of MND associated with LMNL in arms and UMNL in legs
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
chromosome affected in ALS
21
MND with UMN loss
primary lateral sclerosis
MND with the best prognosis, LMN affected distal to proximal
progressive muscular atrophy
MND with the worst prognosis associated with palsy of the tongue, muscles of mastication and facial muscles
progressive bulbar palsy
which movements are spared in MND
eye
most common method of feeding in MND
PEG
which medication increases survival in MND
riluzole
which dementia is associated with MND
frontotemporal
which is the most common type of MS
relapsing remitting
tingling in hands when neck flexed in MS is called
Lhermeittes sign
2 investigations for MS
MRI with contrast
LP showing oligoclonal bands
management of an acute relapse of MS
high dose steroids
management of spasticity in MS
baclofen or gabapentin
inducing remission in MS
monoclonal antibodies e.g. natalizumab
pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis
antibodies to Ach receptors cause progressive weakening of muscles (esp limb girdle, neck and eyes)
cancer associated with myaesthenia gravia
thymoma
investigations for myasthenia gravis
antibodies
CT scan
creatinine kinase in myasthenia gravis
normal
treatment of myasthenia gravis
AchE inhibitors e.g. pyridostigmine
treatment of myasthenia gravis crisis
IV immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis
which medication worsens myasthenia gravis
bisoprolol
people with myasthenia gravis are resistant to which medication
suxamethonium
pathophysiology of lambert eaton syndrome
antibodies to calcium channels causes weakness which improves after exercise (different to myasthenia gravis)
association with lambert eaton
lung cancer
treatment of lambert eaton
treat the cancer
immunosupressants (azathioprine, prednisoline)
IV immunoglobulin
Plasma exchange
worsening lower limb weakness after gastroenteritis
guillian-barree
most common organism causing guillian-barre
campylobacter
investigations for guillian baree
LP increased protein
nerve conduction studies
treatment of guillian barre
IV immunoglobulin
most common hereditary sensorimotor neuropathy
charcot marie tooth
inheritance of charcot marie tooth
autosomal dominant
which type of gait to cerebellar injuries cause
ataxic (wide base with reduced heel-toe walking)
8 most common causes of cerebellar injury
Posterior fossa tumour
Alcohol
multiple Sclerosis
Trauma
Rare causes
Inherited
Epilepsy treatment
Stroke
Parkinsonism with autonomic disturbance and cerebellar sign
multiple system atrophy
autosomal dominant condition which causes tremor worse when arms are outstretched and better with alcohol/propanolol
benign essential tremor
unilateral tremor which improves with voluntary movement
parkinsons
give an example of a decarboxylase inhibitor
carbidopa
which drug causes dry mouth, anorexia, palpitations, psychosis, postural hypotension and an on-off phenomenon
levodopa
what happens if you abruptly stop parkinsons medication
acute dystonia
3 side effects at peak dose of levodopa
dystonia, chorea, involuntary movements
which class are brompcriptine, ropinerole and carbegoline
dopamine receptor agonists
why do you need an ECHO, EST, CK and CXR before starting dopamine receptor agonists
fibrosis
side effects of dopamine receptor agonists
IMPULSE CONTROL DISORDERS
LOSS OF INHIBITION
HALLUCINATIONS
POSTURAL HYPOTENSION
which class is selegiline
MAO-B inhibitors
side effects of MAO-B inhibitors
very few
which drug causes ataxia, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, livedo reticularis
amantidine
what class are drugs which end in -CAPONE
COMT inhibitors
(enzyme which breaks down dopamine)
how do antimuscarinics e.g. procyclidine work in parkinsons
block cholinergic receptors in drug induced parkinsons or to help with tremor
how do you treat nausea in parkinsons
domperidone
antihistamines worsen
2 types of bitemporal hemianopia caused by lesions to the optic chiasm
upper quadrant defect: pituitary tumour
lower quadrant defect: craniophayngioma
2 causes of homonymous quadrantanopia
Parietal Inferior Temporal Superior
Brown-Sequard
lateral hemisection of the spinal cord
cause and presentation of subacute combined degeneration of the cord
reduced vitamin B
reduced proprioception and vibration sense, increased reflexes
cause of a high stepping gait
peripheral neuropathy
muscle wasting of the hands, numbness, tingling and autonomic symptoms
neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
cause of autonomic dysreflexia
injury to T6 or above
management of autonomic dysreflexia
remove stimulus and treat HTN or bradycardia
treatment of paradoxial hemicrania
indomethacin
pain in neck/limbs causing sensory, motor or autonomic symptoms and reduced fine motor use in the hands with positive hoffmans sign
degenerative cervical myelopathy
imaging for degenerative cervical myelopathy
MRI
tetrad in neuroleptic malignant syndrome
hyperthermia
muscle rigidity
autonomic instability
altered mental state
cause of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
antipsychotis e.g. clozapine
treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
bromocriptine
collection of CSF in the spinal cord causedby trauma, tumour or the chiari malformation
syringiomyelia
sensory loss in syringiomelia
spinothalamic (pain and temp) in a cape like distribution
imaging for syringiomelia
spinal and brain MRI
less severe form of muscular dystrophy which presents later
beckers
treatment of restless leg
dopamine agonists
4 drugs to trial for neuropathic pain
amitriptyline
duloxetine
gabapentin
pregabalin
what part of the brain does ondansetron act on
medulla
6 grades of muscle movement
0: nothing
1: trace
2: gravity eliminated
3: against gravity
4: against resistance
5: normal
nerve roots for the following reflexes:
ankle
knee
biceps
triceps
ankle: S1 S2
knee: L3 L4
biceps: C5 C6
triceps: C7 C8
T1 lesion
weak finger abduction
what should you monitor if CT shows evidence of cerebral contusion
ICP
binocular vision
zygoma fracture
GCS below 8
urgent neurosurgery review before CT head
neck pain and unable to rotate c-spine
needs CT C-spine
RBC in CSF
traumatic tap
evidence of RBC breakdown products 12 hours after injury
subarachnoid haemorrhage
diffuse axonal injury (acceleration-deceleration injury)
MRI brain
increased head circumference, bulging fontanelle, subsetting eyes in a baby with known intraventricular haemorrhage
hydrocephalus
imaging in hydrocephalus
CT scan
6 criteria for brainstem death
- pupillary reflex
- corneal reflex
- oculo-vestibular reflex
- cough reflex
- no respiratory effort
- no response to supraorbital pressure
criteria for the doctors performing brainstem death tests
2 separate doctors
1 must be a consultant
both must have at least 5 years of postgrad experience
bleed between the dura and skull in the temporal region with raised ICP and a lucid interval
extradural haematoma
vessel commonly ruptured in extradural haematoma
middle meningeal artery
bleeding into the outer meningeal layer in the frontal/parietal region common in elderly, alcoholics or people on anticoagulation with fluctuating consciousness for weeks
subdural haematoma
vessel commonly ruptured in subdural haematoma
bridging veins
sudden occipital headache caused by a ruptured aneurysm or traumatic brain injury
subarachnoid haemorrhage
management of subaracnhoid haemorrhage
nimodipine to reduce vasospasm
coil (over clip)
why must you check the U+E after a subarachnoid haemorrhage
SIADH can cause hyponatremia
blood within the brain presenting like a stroke
intracerebral haemorrhage
nagement of intracerebral haemorrhage
conservative management with the stroke team
clot evacuation
RF for intracerebral haemorrhage
HTN, aneurysm, AV malformation, trauma, tumour (stroke)
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