Neurology Flashcards
What are the 4 D’s of posterior circulation strokes?
Diplopia
Dizziness
Dysphagia
Dysarthria
Ischemic strokes take how long to show up on CT?
6 hours
What is the function of the lateral corticospinal tract? What is the clinical presentation of a lesion here?
Movement of ipsilateral limbs and body
Ipsilateral paresis at and below level of lesion
What is the function of the dorsal columns? What is the clinical presentation of a lesion here?
Fine touch, vibration, proprioception
Ipsilateral loss at and below lesion
What is the function of the spinothalamic tract? What is the clinical presentation of a lesion here?
Pain, temperature
Contralateral loss of pain and temp at and below level of lesion
What areas of the spinal cord does polio affect? Symptoms?
Anterior horns
LMN symptoms
What areas of the spinal cord does MS affect? Symptoms?
random areas of the dorsal columns and anterior corticospinal tracts
What areas of the spinal cord does ALS affect? Symptoms?
Anterior horns and lateral corticospinal tracts
UMN and LMN s/sx
What treatment for MS ALS?
Riluzole (riLOUzole for LOU Gehrig’s disease)
What areas of the spinal cord does complete occlusion of the anterior spinal artery affect? Symptoms?
Everything but dorsal columns
What areas of the spinal cord does tabes dorsalis affect? Symptoms?
Dorsal columns and nerve roots
Sensory ataxia and poor coordination
What areas of the spinal cord does syringomyelia affect? Symptoms?
Anterior white commissure of spinothalamic tract
cape like, bilateral loss of pain and temperature in upper extremities.
What areas of the spinal cord does Vit B12 affect? Symptoms?
-Dorsal columns, lateral corticospinal tract, and spinocerebellar tracts
What is the presentation of an UMN lesion to the facial nerve?
Contralateral deficits of the LOWER face only
What is the presentation of an LMN lesion to the facial nerve?
Ipsilateral facial paralysis
What are the disease that Bell’s palsy is commonly seen in? (5)
AIDS Lyme disease Sarcoidosis Tumors DM
What are the components of the CHANGes mnemonic for s/sx that occur with MCA stroke?
Contralateral paresis / sensory loss Hemiparesis Aphasia (dominant side) Neglect (nondominant side) Gaze preference toward side of lesion
tPA is indicated if a stroke has occurred within what timeframe?
Less than 3 hours
What is the max BP that is allowable prior to the use of tPA?
185/110
When is ASA indicated in the treatment of a stroke?
If it has been more than 3 hours since onset, and not hemorrhagic
What is the role of treating fever/hyperglycemia in an acute stroke?
Better prognosis if treated
What is the treatment for increased ICP in the setting of ischemic stroke?
Mannitol and hyperventilation
What spinal level does the biceps reflex test?
C5
What spinal level does the triceps reflex test?
C7
What spinal level does the patellar reflex test?
L4
What spinal level does the achilles reflex test?
S1
What is the single greatest risk factor for stroke?
HTN
What are the components of the SAMPLE STAGES contraindications for tPA administration?
- Stroke / head trauma in the last 3 months
- Anticoagulation with INR more than 1.7
- MI in the past 3 months
- Prior intracrainial bleed
- Low platelets
- Elevated BP
- Surgery in past 14 days
- TIA within 6 months
- GI or urinary bleeding past 21 days
- Elevated BG
- Seizures at onset of stroke
A stroke or head trauma within what timeframe is a contraindication to tPA?
3 months
An INR above what is a contraindication for tPA?
1.7
A MI within what timeframe is a contraindication to tPA?
3 months
A hemorrhagic stroke within what timeframe is a contraindication to tPA?
Ever
Major surgery within what timeframe is a contraindication to tPA?
14 days
Gi/GU bleeding within what timeframe is a contraindication to tPA?
21 days
What BG levels are a contraindication to tPA?
Below 50 or above 400
Name the artery likely affected: Contralateral paresis and sensory loss in the leg; cognitive or personality changes.
ACA
Name the artery likely affected: Contralateral paresis and sensory loss in the face and arm; gaze preference toward the side of the lesion.
MCA
Name the artery likely affected: vertigo, homonymous hemianopsia
PCA
Name the artery likely affected: Pure motor, pure sensory, ataxic hemiparesis, or dysarthria
Lacunar
What is the definition of a TIA?
Neurological deficit lasts less than 24 hours, and without findings on MRI
What are the indications for carotid endarterectomy in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients respectively?
Symptomatic = 60% Asymptomatic = 70%
What are the top three causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage?
- Ruptured berry aneurysm
- AV malformations
- Trauma to the circle of Willis
What are the s/sx of a subarachnoid hemorrhage? (2)
Thunderclap HA
Neck stiffness
What is a “Sentinel bleed” in terms of patients with SAH?
Warning bleed that occurs a few days prior to presentation
If CT is negative, but there is a strong clinical suspicion of a SAH, what should be done?
LP to look for bleeding or xanthochromia
What imaging should be performed once SAH is confirmed? Why?
four vessel angiography to identify exact source of bleeding
What are the components of the “MAKE an SAH” more likely?
Marfan
Aortic coarctation
Kidney disease (AD polycystic)
Ehler-danlos
Sickle cell or smoking
Atherosclerosis
HTN
What are the treatment focuses after a SAH has been repaired? (3)
- Maintaining BP below 150
- prevent vasospasm
- Decreased increased ICP
What is the drug of choice to prevent vasospasm in patients post SAH repair?
Nimodipine
What is the effect of vasospasm post SAH repair?
Major increase in morbidity and mortality
Where in the brain does intracerebral hemorrhage generally occur?
Deep brain regions (e.g. basal ganglia, pons, cerebellum, etc.)
What is the most common underlying cause of intracerebral hemorrhage?
HTN
What are the early symptoms of intracerebral hemorrhage? Late?
- Focal motor or sensory deficits
- Features of increased ICP
What is the common cause of subdural hematoma?
Rupture of bridging veins
What is the common cause of epidural hematoma?
Middle meningeal artery tear
What are the s/sx of a subdural hematoma?
HA, changes in mental status, and/or focal neurological deficits
What are the s/sx of an epidural hematoma?
Immediate LOC, followed by lucid interval from minutes to hours
What are the CT findings of a subdural hematoma?
Crescent shaped, concave density
What are the CT findings of an epidural hematoma?
Lens-shaped biconvex density
How can you differentiate an acute vs chronic subdural hematoma?
Isodense = acute Hypodense = chronic
What does a blown pupil suggest?
Impending ipsilateral brainstem compression
What is the most common agent to cause septic cavernous sinus thrombosis?
Staph Aureus
What are the s/sx of cavernous sinus thrombosis?
HA
Fever
visual disturbances