Neurology Flashcards
what is a transient ischemic attack
sudden onset focal neurological deficit - temporary
what are the two types of transient ischemic attack
Internal carotid artery (anterior)- 90%
Vertebral (posterior) - 10%
what are causes of transient ischemic attack
Carotid thrombo-emboli
- thrombosis
- Emboli (AF)
what is the CHA2DS2 - VASc score
A way of assessing stroke risk from AF in AF patients
what are risk factors for transient ischemic attack
same as ischemic heart disease
- smoking
- diabetes T2
- hypertension
- Atrial fibrillation
- obesity/hypercholesterolemia
- VSD
what are the symptoms of anterior cerebral artery syndrome (transient ischemic attack)
weak numb contralateral leg
what are the symptoms of middle cerebral artery syndrome (transient ischemic attack)
weak numb contralateral side of body, face drooping w/forehead spared, dysphasia (temporal)
what is amaurosis fugax
this is when there is occlusion or reduced blood flow to the retina through the ophthalmic/retinal/ciliary artery
- sign that stroke is impending
what are the signs of a posterior coronary artery attack
vision loss
what is seen with occipital artery attack
contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing
what is seen in vertebral artery attack (transient ischemic attack)
cerebellar syndrome: DANISH
brainstem infarct
cranial nerve lesions 3-12
when can you differentiate between a stroke and a transient ischemic attack
after the recovery
how do you tell the difference between a transient ischemic attack and a stroke
TIA: resolve within minutes usually and always <24 hours with no infarct
Stroke: last 24 hours with infarct
how do you diagnose transient ischemic attack
clinically made
FAST scoring system = face, arms, speech, time
ABCD2 - age (>60), BP (>140/90). Clinical sx, duration, DMT2
how do you treat a transient ischemic attack
Acutely = 300mg of aspirin
prophylaxis long term = clopidogrel 75mg + atorvastatin 80mg
what is a stroke
a focal neurological defect lasting 24 hours with infarction
what are the two types of stroke
ischemic and haemorrhagic
what are the features of an ischemic stroke
mc - 85%
caused by carotid-thrombo-emboli
what are the features of haemorrhagic stroke
15% of strokes
caused by ruptured blood vessel
what can cause a haemorrhagic stroke
trauma
hypertension
berry aneurysm rupture
where are haemorrhagic strokes more common
intraendural
subarachnoid
what a specific sign of a stroke
the pronator drift
what is the pronator drift and what does it show
ask the patient to lift their arms to the ceiling and the arm affected will pronate and the palm faces down
- sign of a stroke
what are risk factors for stroke
hypertension
smoking
obesity
type 2 diabetes
atrial fibrillation
transient ischemic attack
hypercoagulability
what are symptoms of a stroke
focal neurology - like TIA
haemorrhagic strokes show an increase in intracranial pressure
what are lacunar strokes
they are a very common types of ischemic stroke of lenticulostriate arteries (support deep brain structures) which causes ischemia in the basial ganglia, internal capsule, thalamus and pons
what kind of stroke do you suspect is a patient is on oral anticoagulants
haemorrhagic stroke until proven otherwise
how do you diagnose stroke
NCCT head
ischemic - mostly normal
haemorrhagic - hyperdense blood
how do you treat ischemic stroke
- if it presents within 4.5 hours use a thrombolytic (alteplase IV)
- aspirin 300mg for two weeks
- lifelong clopidogrel 75mg
how do you treat a haemorrhagic stroke
neurosurgery referral
IV mannitol for increased intracranial pressure
what is the prophylaxis for both ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke
atorvastatin
ramipril
what spaces can haemorrhages occur within
- subarachnoid
- subdural
- extradural
what can cause a subarachnoid haemorrhage
berry aneurysm in the circle of willis rupturing
trauma
what can cause subdural haemorrhage
bringing vein rupture
what can cause extradural haemorrhage
middle meningeal artery trauma
what are the most common arteries subarachnoid haemorrhage occurs in
anterior communicating
anterior cerebral junction
what are the risk factors of a subarachnoid haemorrhage
hypertension
polycystic kidney disease
trauma
increased age
family history
male
what are symptoms of a subarachnoid haemorrhage
occipital thunderclap headache
suddenly onset
may have sentinel headache - throbbing pain which preceded berry aneurysm rupture
very severe
meningism - kernig and brudzinski signs
low GCS (consciousness)
Fixed dilated pupils
Non specific signs of raised intracranial pressure
what is the Kernig sign
Cant extent the leg properly when the knee is flexed
what is the Brudzinski sign
when neck elevated, knees automatically flex
what is the Glasgow coma scale
coma score out of 15
eyes - 4, Verbal - 5, motor - 6
15 = normal
8 = comatose
3 = unresponsive
what are differential diagnosis for subarachnoid haemorrhage
meningitis
migrane
how do you diagnose subarachnoid haemorrhage
diagnostic = CT head (expect a star shape)
+ve CT angiogram
-ve Lumbar puncture
what is the first line treatment for subarachnoid haemorrhage
neurosurgery: endovascular coiling
also give Nimodipine
why do you give Nimodipine in subarachnoid haemorrhage
because it reduced vasospasm and blood pressure
- its a calcium channel blocker
what is a subdural haemorrhage
rupture of a bridging vein due to shearing
- deceleration injuries and abused children
what are risk factors of subdural haemorrhage
trauma
child abuse
cortical atrophy - dementia
what are symptoms of subdural haemorrhage
gradual onset with latent period
bleeding is small: accumulation and autolysis of blood (symptoms after days/weeks/months)
signs of intracranial pressure
what are the signs of increased cranial pressure
Cushings triad:
bradycardia
increased pulse pressure
irregular breathing
plus fluctuating GCS and papillodema
how do you diagnose subdural haemorrhage
NCCT head - banana or crescent shaped haematoma not confused to suture tines, midline shift
what do
a. acute
b. subacute
c. chronic
subdural haemorrhage look like on a CT
a. hyper dense (bright)
b. isodense
c. hypodense - darker than the brain
how do you treat subdural haemorrhage
Burr hole and craniotomy
IV mannitol to decrease intracranial pressure
what is an extradural haemorrhage
caused by trauma to the middle meningeal artery, due to damage to the lateral pterygoid bone
when is extradural haemorrhage more common
in young adults - 20-30
as you age there is a decreased risk as the dura becomes more firmly adhered to the skull
what are the risk factors of extradural haemorrhage
head trauma
what are the symptoms of extradural haemorrhage
after the initial event there is a lucid interval and then there will be a rapid deterioration due to an increased cranial pressure
why is there a delayed increased inter cranial pressure in extradural haemorrhage
because of old blood clots, these clots become haemolysed and takes up water and will therefore increase the volume in the skull
what symptoms are seen in extradural haemorrhage
decreased GCS score - comatose and confusion
Increased intracranial pressure signs
death from respiratory arrest
why do you have respiratory arrest in extradural haemorrhage
tonsillar hemiation and coning of brain causes a compressed respiration centre
how do you diagnose extradural haemorrhage
NCCT the head
- lens shaped hyperdense bleed confined to suture lines
- midline shift
what is the treatment for extradural haemorrhage
urgent surgery
mannitol IV to reduce inter cranial pressure
what are primary causes of headaches
migrane
cluster
tension
drug overdose
what are secondary causes for headaches
due to an underlying condition
GCA
infection
SAH
trauma
cerebrovascular disease
eye, ear, sinus pathology
what is a migraine
it is recurrent episodes of throbbing headache plus or minus aura
often with vision changes
what is the most common cause of recurrent headache
migraine
In who is migraine most common
in women under 40
what are triggers of migraine
chocolate
hangovers
orgasms
cheese
bral contraceptives
lie ins
alcohol
tumult
exercise
how does a migraine come on
prodrome - days before attack see mood changes
Aura - part of the attack, minutes before headache
Throbbing headache lasting 4-72 hours
what are symptoms of a migraine
2 or more of
- unilateral pain
- throbbing
- motion sickness
- mod-severely intense
plus one of
- nausea and vomiting
- photophobia
how do you diagnose migraine
clinical
- unless other pathology is suspected
how do you treat migraine
Acute: oral triptan or aspirin (900mg)
Prophylaxis: propranolol or TCA (2nd line)
what is a cluster headache
a unilateral periorbital pain with autonomic features
10-15 minutes
what is the most disabling primary headache
cluster headaches
what are risk factors for cluster headaches
male
smoking
genetics - autodom link?
what are symptoms of cluster headaches
crescendo unilateral periorbital excruciating pain (may affect temples too)
autonomic features
- face flushing
- conjunctival injection and lacrimation
- ptosis
- miosis
- rhinorrhoea
how do you diagnose cluster headaches
clinically
5 or more similar attacks confirm diagnosis
how do you treat cluster headaches
acute = Triptans - sumatriptan
Prophylaxis = Verapamil (CCB)
what are tension headaches
bilateral generalised headache which can radiate to the neck
what is the most common type of primary headache
tension headache
what is the trigger for tension headaches
stress
what are symptoms of tension headache
rubber band tight around the head
bilateral pain
feel it in the trapezius too
mold-moderate severity
no motion sickness, photophobia or aura
how do you diagnose tension headaches
clinically from the history
how do you treat tension headaches
simple analgesia
- aspirin
- paracetamol
what is primary trigeminal neuralgia
unilateral pain in one or more trigeminal branches
what are risk factors for trigeminal neuralgia
MS (20X more likely)
increased age
female
what is trigeminal neuralgia triggered by
eating
shaving
talking
brushing teeth
what are symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia
electric shock pain (seconds to minutes)
in V1/2/3
how do you diagnose trigeminal neuralgia
clinical
three or more attacks with symptoms
what is the treatment for trigeminal neuralgia
carbamazepine - anticonvulsant
what is giant cell arteritis
it is large vessel vasculitis
how does giant cell arteritis normally present
50 y/old caucasian woman presents with unilateral tender scalp, intermittent jay claudication
- worst case is amaurosis fugax which is transient vision loss in one eye
how do you diagnose giant cell arteritis
temporal artery biopsy - large region as you can get skip lesions
increased ESR and CRP
normocytic normochromic anaemia of chronic disease
what is seen on a temporal artery biopsy in giant cell arteritis
granulomatous non caseating inflammation of the intima and media with skip lesions
how do you treat giant cell ateritis
corticosteroids = prednisolone
if there is any sign of vision changes then give high dose IV methylprednisolone quickly
what are causes of seizures
VITAMIN DE
vascular
Infection
trauma
autoimmune - SLE
metabolic - hypocalcaemia
Idiopathic - epilepsy
neoplasms
dementia +drugs (cocaine)
eclampsia
what is epilepsy
idiopathic cause of seizures with two or more episodes more than 24 hours apart
what are risk factors for epilepsy
familial inherited
dementia
what is the pathophysiology behind seizures
the normal balance between GABA (-) and glutamate (+) shifts towards glutamate therefore making it more excitatory
how long do epileptic seizures usually last for
about 2 minutes
what are the phases of a epileptic fit
prodrome
aura
ictal event - seizure
postictal period
what happens in the prodrome stage of a fit
this is changes in someones mood days before the event
what happens in the aura stage of a fit
minutes before the fit
Deja vu ad automatisms (lip smacking/rapid blinking)
- not always present
what happens in the postictal period of a fit
headache
confusion and decreased GCS score
TODD’S paralysis - temporary paralysis and muscle weakness of the motor cortex is affected
dysphagia
amnesia
sore throat - in epileptic seizures
what are different classifications of epileptic seizures
generalised - tonic clonic and absence
focal - simple and complex focal
what is a Tonic Clonic generalised seizure
GRANDMAL
- no aura
- tonic phase - rigidity, fall to floor
- clonic phase - jerking of limbs
ungazing open eyes, incontinence, tongue bitten
what is an absence generalised seizure
Often in childhood
characterised by moments of staring blankly into space
lasts seconds to minutes
3HZ spike on ECG
what does tonic mean
when someone is rigid
what does myoclonic mean
when someone is jerking limbs
what does atonic mean
when someone is suddenly floppy (limbs and muscles)
what generally happens during general seizures
all the cortex and deep brain structures bilaterally are affected
- always have a loss of consciousness
what are general features of focal seizures
confined to one region of the brain
- temporal may progress to secondary generalised
what is a simple focal seizure
where there is no basal ganglia or thalamic involvement
what is a complex focal seizure
where there is basal ganglia and thalamic involvement
what are features of a simple focal seizure
there is no loss of consciousness
patient is awake and aware
uncontrollable muscle jerking
what are features of a complex focal seizure
loss of consciousness
patient is unaware
postictal period positive
what symptoms would you get with a temporal focal seizure
AURA
dysphagia
post ictal period
what symptoms would you get with a frontal focal seizure
Jacksonian march
todd’s palsy
what symptoms would you get with a parietal seizure
paresthesia
what symptoms would you get with an occipital seizure
vision changes
how do you diagnose seizures
Must have had over 2 24 hours apart to consider epilepsy
CT head and MRI
ECG
Bloods
what do you need to examine on head CT and MRI in seizure diagnosis
hippocampus
check for bleeds
check for tumours
what is seen on an ECG in an absence seizure
3 HZ wave
how do you treat seizures
sodium valproate to all
who cant have sodium valproate for seizures
females in childbearing age as its teratogenic
what is given instead of sodium valproate in pregnancy for seizures
lamotrigine
what is a complication of seizures
status epilepticus = epileptic seizures without a break back to back OR
seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes
how do you treat status epilepticus
Benzodiazepines: lorazepam 4mg IV
if its not working then Lorazepam again and then phenytoin
what is parkinsons
when there is a loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra pars compacta
what are risk factors for developing parkinsons
family history
increased age
smoking seems to be protective ?
what is the pathophysiology of parkinsons
normally to initiate movement the nigrostriatal pathway signals to the striatum to stop firing to substantia nigra and therefore stops movement inhibition
in Parkinson’s there is degeneration of the substantia nigra so that its harder to initiate movement
what are symptoms of parkinsons’s
cardinal Sx = bradycardia, resting tremor, rigidity, postural instability
anosmia seen early
constipation
shuffling gait
pill rolling thumb
cogwheel/lead pipe forearm
typically asymmetrical
How do you diagnose parkinsons
clinical
bradykinesia and more than one other cardinal sign
how do you treat parkinsons
LDOPA and a decarboxylase inhibitor
what is the problem that can occur with LDOPA
the body becomes resistant to it and the effects can wear off and therefore you dont want to give LDOPA too early
what are some differential diagnosis for parkinsons
lewy body dementia
parkinsons Sx then dementia = perkinsons dementia
Parkinsons Sx after dementia = lewy body dementia
what is dementia
a neurodegenerative disorder with a reduced in cognition (memory, judgement, language) over time
what is the most common type of dementia
alzheimers
what is alzheimers disease
it is when you have B amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral cortex
- increases cortical scarring
- brain atrophy
- decreased Ach
what are risk factors for Alzheimers
Down’s syndrome (inevitable)
ApoE4 allele in familial alzheimers
what are symptoms of alzheimers
agnosia - cant recognise things
apraxia - cant do basic motor skills
aphasia - cant talk as well as normal
what is vascular dementia
it is due to cerebrovascular damage such as a stroke or trauma
history of TIA/stroke, UMN signs and general decrease in cognition
what is Lewy body dementia
it is when alpha synuclein and ubiquitin aggregates in the cortex (lewy bodies)
what are symptoms of lewy body dementia
cognitive decline
parkinsonism
what is frontotemporal dementia
it is when there is frontotemporal atrophy causing speech, language, thinking and memory problems
how do you diagnose dementia
mini mental state exam (out of 30)
over 25 is normal
18-25 is impaired
<17 is severely impaired
Brain MRI will show atrophy
what is the treatment for dementia
conservative
social stimulation
exercise
for alzheimers - achase i (donepazil)
for vascular - antihypertensives (ramipril)
what is huntingtons chorea
it is an autosomal dominant disease with full penetrance
there is a lack of GABA and an excessive nigrostriatal pathway
what is huntingtons disease due to
due to trinucleotide expansions repeats - more repeats the earlier it presents
what are the ranges for trinucleotide repeats in huntingtons
<35 repeats - no huntingtons
35-55 - huntingtons
60+ - severe huntingtons
what are symptoms of Huntingtons chorea
Chorea - excessive limb jerking
dementia
psychiatric issues
depression
how do you treat huntingtons
extensive counselling - inevitable Sx
dopamine antagonists for chorea
tetrabenazine
what is multiple sclerosis
T4 hypersensitivity against myelin basic protein of oligodendrocytes causing demyelination of the CNS neurons
what are risk factors for multiple sclerosis
females
20-40
autoimmune disease
family history
EBV
what are types of multiple sclerosis
Relapsing remitting - incomplete recovery
Primary progressive - gradual deterioration
secondary progressive - relapsing-remitting
what is the first presentation of multiple sclerosis
blurred vision
- due to optic nerve damage
what are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis
paresthesia
blurred vision
Uthoff’s phenomenon (exacerbated in heat)
what are signs of multiple sclerosis
optic neuritis - inflamed optic nerve
internuclear ophthalmoplegia - lateral gaze impaired
brainstem signs
sensory signs
UMN signs
Lhermitte phenomenon
charcot neurological triad
what is the Charcot neurological triad
dysarthria
nystagmus
intention tremor
what is Lhermitte phenomenon
electric shock sensation with neck on flexion
how do you diagnose multiple sclerosis
the McDonald criteria = 2 or more attacks disseminated in time and space
MRI brainstem and cord
delayed conduction speeds
LP may show digoclonal igG bands
how do you treat multiple sclerosis
Acutely (episodes) = IV methylprednisolone
Prophylaxis = b interferon (DMARD; biologic)
what is motor neuron disease
neurodegenerative disease causing lower and upper motor neuron signs
what is the main motor neuron tract affected in motor neuron disease
the corticospinal tract
what is the corticospinal tract
it has an upper motor neuron from the precentral gyrus which has
- No decussation (anterior 10%)
- decussation (lateral 90%)
what are symptoms of upper motor neuron lesions
hypertonia: rigidity + spasticity
hyperreflexia
no fasciculation
Babinski positive
power:
arms - flexors more than extensors
legs - extensors more than flexors
what are symptoms of a lower motor neuron lesion
hypotonia - flaccid and muscle wasting
hyporeflexia
fasciculations
Babinski -ve
generally low power
what is an UMN lesion
lesion from the pre-central gyrus to the anterior spinal cord
- everything goes UP
what is a LMN lesion
Lesion from the anterior spinal cord to the muscles innervated
everything goes DOWN
what happens if you see mixed upper and lower motor neuron signs
then it is motor neuron disease
what is organisation of movement
- idea of movement - association cortexes, pre-motor cortex
- Activation of UMNs in motor cortex
- Impulse via corticospinal tract
- modulation by cerebellum and basal ganglia
- movement and somatosensory information
what are risk factors for motor neuron disease
male
family history
SOD-1 mutation
increased age
in what diseases are eye muscles affected
MS
Myasthenia gravis
in what diseases is sensory function and sphincters affected
MS
polyneuropathies
what is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles
what is the most common motor neuron disease
ALS
what can ALS progress to
Bulbar palsy
what is progressive bulbar palsy
it is where cranial nerves 9-12 are damaged
- worse prognosis and can increase the chance of respiratory failure
what are different kinds of motor neuron disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
progressive muscular atrophy - LMN only
Primary lateral sclerosis - UMNs only
progressive bulbar palsy
what are symptoms of motor neuron disease
mixed upper and lower motor neuron signs
- no eye, sensory, cerebellar or parkinson signs
how do you diagnose motor neuron disease
mainly clinical - from mixed picture
ECG shown fibrillation potentials
(due to muscle degeneration with LMN)
how do you treat motor neuron disease
MDT management
Riluzole - antiglutaminergic
Supportive - physiotherapy and breathing support if necessary
what is a complication of motor neuron disease
respiratory failure
aspiration pneumonia
swallowing failure
what is meningitis
an infection of the meninges of the brain
- notifiable to PHE
what are the viral causes of meningitis
Enteroviruses - coxsackie
HSV-2
V2V
what are bacterial causes of meningitis
mainly S.pneumonae
N.meningitidis
what are risk factors for meningitis
extremes of age
immunocompromised
crowded environment
non-vaccinated
what bacteria is the most common in meningitis of 0-3 months
group B alpha haemolytic strep (S.agalectiae)
listeria
E.coli
S.pneumoniae
what is the most common bacteria in meningitis of 3m-6yrs
Strep. Pneumonae
N. meningitidis
H. influenzae
what is the most common bacteria in meningitis 6-60yrs
S. pneuminae
N. meningitidis
what is the most common bacteria in meningitis 60+yrs
S. pneuminae
N. meningitidis
Listeria
what is N. meningitidis
Gram negative diplococcus
vaccine available: men B+C
10% mortality
what is seen in N.meningitidis meningitis
non blanching purpuric rash
10% mortality
can cause meningococcal septicemia
what is S. pneumoniae
gram positive diplococcus in chains