Neurology Flashcards
first line treatment for tonic clonic seizures in child bearing age?
lamotrigine
what is an important mimic of TIA that must be ruled out?
hypoglycaemia
what are the key features in focal seizures? (6)
- Often have AURAs
- Loss of awareness with blank look
- Automatisms, posturing or jerking depending on brain area
- May evolve to tonic clonic
- Often underlying brain lesion
- May or may not have LOC
which part (lobe) of the brain would a lesion cause disinhibition?
frontal lobe
can you breastfeed whilst taking AEDs?
generally yes with the possible exception of the barbiturates
management of bell’s palsy
oral prednisolone and artificial tears
what is Cushing’s triad and what does it indicate?
Cushing’s triad: widening pulse pressure, bradycardia and irregular (kaussmaul) breathing, is a late sign indicating impending brain herniation ->CONING
what primary cancer is most likely to be responsible for brain cancer?
lung cancer
define Guillain barre syndrome
an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy characterised by a rapid, progressive, ascending symmetrical weakness, often preceded by infection
what is the difference between oligodendrocytes and schwann cells, and what conditions can affect these?
oligodendrocytes= myelinating cells of CNS- MS
schwann cells= myelinating cells of PNS- GBS
what are the key features of diabetic neuropathy?
- commonly distal symmetrical polyneuropathy
- usually sensorimotor and autonomic dysfunction
- glove and stocking distribution
length related distribution so usually toes and legs affected - higher incidence compressive neuropathy- carpal tunnel, ulnar/ peroneal neuropathy
what is the treatment for Bell’s palsy?
3 weeks oral predinsolone, if not improvement, urgent referral to ENT
where would a lesion be in painful third nerve palsy?
posterior communicating artery
where do 5HT3 (serotonin) antagonists work in the brain in anti emetics?
medulla oblongata
what type of medication in Parkinson’s can cause personality changes (inhibition disorder)?
dopamine receptor agonists- ropinirole, bromocriptine, cabergoline, apomorphine
manifest as excessive gambling, sexual disinhibition etc. Other side effects of this class of drugs include nausea and daytime drowsiness.
what is the strongest risk factor of Bell’s palsy?
pregnancy
what is the treatment of cluster headaches?
high flow oxygen and subcutaneous triptan
what muscles are usually spared in MND?
ocular muscles
what is an important side effect of lamotrigine?
steve johnson syndrome
In trauma, how would you test for CSF leaking from nose or ear?
glucose
what is the investigation of choice for MS
MRI WITH contrast
what movement can worsen symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome?
raising arm above head
what are the medications/ drugs that can cause IIH?
combined oral contraceptive pill
steroids
tetracyclines
retinoids (isotretinoin, tretinoin) / vitamin A
lithium
what would a LP show in GBS?
increased protein levels and normal WCC
