Neurology

Question 1

What are some causes of headache?

Answer 1

H – Haemorrhage, intracranial and subarachnoid
A – Arterial causes – temporal arteritis and dissections
E – Eclampsia – remember it can occur post-partum
D – DVT of the brain or otherwise known as cavernous sinus thrombosis
T – Tumour and other space occupying lesions/ hydrocephalus
I – Infection – meningitis, encephalitis, sinusitis
E – Eye disorders such as glaucoma

Question 2

Inherited disorders of the lower motor neurone.

1. anterior horn cell
2. Peripheral nerve
3. NMJ
4. Muscle

Answer 2

1. Spinal muscular atrophy
2. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
3. Transient neonatal myasthenia
   Congenital myasthenia gravis
4. Duchenne & Becker Muscular dystrophy
   Congenital myopathies
   Congenital muscular dystrophies
   myotonic dystrophy

Question 3

What is gower’s sign an indication of?

Answer 3

proximal muscle weakness

Question 4

What is the most common inherited muscle disorder?

What is the cause?

Answer 4

Muscular Dystrophy

Mutation in Dystrophin gene causing ongoing damage & repair of the muscles, slowly causing muscle weakness and contractors

Question 5

What is spinal muscular atrophy?

Features:

Answer 5

> anterior horn cell disorder

>>
Proximal muscle weakness 
Paradoxical respiration
Tongue fasciculations 
Absent reflexes

Normal intelligence
Mobile, expressive face

Question 6

1. What is the dose of folate for women with
   >nil risk factors
   >some risk factors
2. When should folate be commenced?

Answer 6

0.5mg/day
5mg/day

Commence prior to conception

Question 7

Spasticity vs Dystonia:

Answer 7

Spasticity is characterised by increase in muscle tone along with exaggeration of the stretch reflexes resulting in a “catch” when attempting a rapid passive stretch of the affected muscles.

Dystonia is characterised by an increased and variable tone that is not velocity dependant.

Question 8

In Cerebral Palsy Botulinum toxin injections can be used for;

Answer 8

treatment of spasticity