Neurology #2 Precision and Pearls Flashcards
Encephalitis is infection of the brain parenchyma and causes include _____ (MCC), and others such as ______, ______, and ________
HSV-1 MCC
EBV, HIV, Rubella, Varicella
What are symptoms of encephalitis?
-Meningitis symptoms (nuchal rigidity, Brudzinski, Kernig), neck stiffness, fever, headache
-PLUS AMS, changes in speech, personality, and movement
-Focal neurologic deficits (palsies, sensory deficits)
Diagnostics done for encephalitis:
-What is done to rule out lesions
-What is preferred for encephalitis?
-What is the most accurate test for herpes?
-CT of the head to rule out lesions
-MRI preferred for encephalitis
-PCR most sensitives for herpes
If HSV is the cause of encephalitis, what is seen on MRI?
Temporal lobe involvement
Treatment for encephalitis (think about what the cause is)
IV Acyclovir
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is dilation of the ventricles with normal opening pressure on LP. What are some symptoms of this?
What is seen on MRI?
Dementia + Gait Disturbance + urinary incontinence
–Wet, wacky, wobbly
—wide based shuffling gait, urinary urgency
MRI: enlarged ventricles in absence of sulcal dilation
What is the treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus?
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Although a cerebral abscess is rare, it has symptoms such as insidious onset of headache, fever, focal neuro findings and a history of what?
Recent sinus infection or ear infection: direct spread to the brain
An intracerebral hemorrhage, which is bleeding within the brain parenchyma that may compress the brain, ventricles, and sulci, has risk factors such as…..
Hypertension (MCC of ICH)
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (MCC in old)
AVM (MCC in kids)
Symptoms of ICH
-Neuro symptoms increase in minutes to hours: headache, n/v, syncope, AMS, focal neurologic symptoms (hemiplegia, seizures, hemiparesis)
What diagnostic is done for ICH
CT scan!
How do you treat ICH?
How should you prevent ICP?
Supportive, gradually reduce BP
ICP: Raise head of the bed, no IVF, reduce BP
If the patient DOES have increased ICP, what should you give them?
IV Labetolol, Nicardipine, Hydralazine, Nitroprusside
An essential tremor is an autosomal dominant movement disorder that (explain what an essential tremor is)
-Intentional tremor: postural, bilateral action tremor that is worse with movement.
-MC affects upper extremities
-Worse with stress, anxiety, caffeine
What makes an essential tremor better?
Alcohol
Treatment for an essential tremor
-None needed
-Propanolol if situational
-Primidone if no relief with Propanolol
Explain the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease
-Movement disorder due to loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra –> failure of acetylcholine inhibition in the basal ganglia (acetylcholine is the excitatory neurotransmitter)
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
-Resting tremor, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity
-Tremor: pill-rolling tremor, worse with rest, better with activity
-Slowness of movement, no arm swinging when walking
-Masked facies
-Myerson’s Sign (tapping forehead)
-Postural instability: pull test
-Dementia in 50%
-Cogwheel rigidity