Neurology Flashcards
stroke definition
rapid onset neuro deficit of vascular origin
Glabellar tap
confirmatory test of Parkinson’s
if tap patients forehead, eyes blink
MSA symptoms
autonomic dysfunction
cerebellar dysfunction
rigidity > tremor
PSP symptoms
vertical gaze palsy
postural instability
speech disturbance
corticobasilar degeneration
unilateral parkinsonism
aphasia
alien limb phenomenon
Parkinsonism Vs Parkinson’s
Parkinsonism: symmetrical, rapid progression, poor response to levodopa
Parkinson’s: asymmetrical, progressive nature, good response to Levodopa
Parkinsonism symptoms
vascular (strokes)
idiopathic
AI encephalitis
Infective (Syphollis, HIV, CJD)
Congential e.g. Wilson’s
Drugs (antipsychotics)
MS definition
AI demyelinating disorder of CNS, multiple plaques in separate time and space
MG management
- long acting ACh-esterase inhibitors e.g. neostogmine
- immunosuppression: azothioprine
ALS
mixed UMN/LMN
PLS
UMN
PMA
LMN
PBP
bulbar
investigations in MND
MRI brain +/- spinal cord
EMG
LP
unilateral vs bilateral UMN lesion gait
UL = circumducting gait
BL = scissoring gait
spasticity vs rigidity
spasticity = pyramidal
rigidity = extra-pyramidal
pyramidal tracts
corticospinal tracts
corticobulbar tracts
causes of cerebellar syndrome
- vascular: vertebrobasiliar stroke
- infection: encephalitis/abscess
- trauma: raised ICP
- AI: MS/ paraneoplastic
- Metabolic: ethanol/poisons
- Neoplastic: posterior fossa tumour
- congenital: spinocerebellar ataxia
fast phase nystagmus
cerebellar = towards lesion
vestibular = away from lesion
nystagmus maximal looking
cerebellar = towards lesion
vestibular = away from lesion
zones of cerebellum and function
- spinocerebellum: movement and posture
- neocerebellum: motor planning
- vestibulocerebellum: balance and vision
spinocerebellum problem presentation
truncal ataxia
neocerebellum problem presentation
dysmetria
intention tremor
vestibulocerebellum problem presentation
diplopia
nystagmus
Wallenberg’s syndrome symptoms (My PANDAS)
Miosis (Horner’s)
nYstagmus
Ptosis (Horner’s)
Anhidrosis (Horner’s)
Nystagmus
Dysphagia (ipsliateral)
Ataxia
Sensory loss of limb (contralateral)
3 causes of Marcus Gunn pupil
MS
Glaucoma
Retinal disease
Weber’s syndrome
midbrain strokes
ipsilateral 3rd nerve palsy
contralateral hemiplegia
autonomic dysreflexia
usually spinal injuries above T6
lack if splanchnic outflow from T6-T12
causes of syringomyelia
affects spinothalamic tracts
- Chiari malformations
- Trauma
- Tumours
- Idiopathic
symptoms of syringomyelia
loss of sensation to pain and temp, especially in hands
progressive limb weakness and stiffness
management of synringomyelia
shunting
pre-ganlionic Horner’s sx
anhidrosis of face
central Horner’s sx
anhidrosis of face and trunk
post-ganglionic Horner’s sx
no anhidrosis
central causes of Horner’s
stroke
syringomyelia
sclerosis (multiple)
wallenburg’s lateral meduallary syndrome
Pre-ganglionic causes of Horner’s
Tumour (pancoast)
Thyroidectomy
Cervical Rubs
Post-ganglionic causes of Horner’s
carotid artery dissection
cavernous sinus thrombosis
cluster headache
symptoms of degenerative cervical myelopathy
- pain in neck and limbs
- loss of ANS function
- loss of digital dexterity
- loss of sensory function and numbness
testing cerebellar dysfunction in upper limbs
tone
pronator drift
rebound phenomenon
coordination
cause of painful 3rd nerve palsy
posterior communicating artery aneurysm
ptosis and large pupil
3rd nerve palsy
ptosis and normal pupil
MG
ptosis and small pupil
Horner’s
UMN motor pathway
motor cortex to anterior horn cell
LMN motor pathway
anterior horn cell to motor unit
if UMN signs, where could lesion be?
brain
brainstem (midbrain, pons, medulla)
spinal cord
if UMN/LMN signs, where could lesion be?
anterior horn cell
if sensory signs, where could lesion be?
DRG
if motor symptoms, where could lesion be?
NMG or muscle
what are the different sensory pathways?
proprioception
vibration sense
touch
pain and temp
posterior circulation stroke symptoms
diplopia
dysarthria
dizziness
dysphagia
lateral medullary syndrome symptoms
ipsilateral Horner’s
ipsilateral sensory alteration of pain and temp
ipsilateral cerebellar ataxia
contralateral alteration of pain and temp (spinothalamic tract)
important parts to remember about status epilepticus
check BM
if poor nutrition/alcohol abuse - give Pabrinex
absence seizure EEG
3Hz
atonic sx and EEG
Sx: loss of tone
EEG: spikes
myoclonic sx and EEG
sx: jerking
EEG: spikes
investigations in epilepsy
eye witness account
examination
bloods
ECG, EEG
MRI brain
important parts of epilepsy management
safety advice: showers rather than bath, stop driving, inform DVLA
start treatment after 2 clearly unprovoked seizures >24 hrs apart
ALS symptoms
wasting and fasciculations
brisk reflexes and upgoing plantars
dyarthria and dysphagia
Bulbar palsy symptoms
dysarthria and dysphagia
limb involvement later
progressive muscular atrophy
pure LMN
primary lateral sclerosis
pure UMN