Neurology Flashcards
cause of death from bacterial meningitis (without sepsis)
herniation as bacteria and pus build up in the skull
CSF lymphocytes, oligoclonal IgG bands on elecrophoresis, myelin basic protein
what disease?
multiple sclerosis
a round mass attached to the dura, compressing but not invading the cortex
what tumour?
meningioma
aneurysmal/tumour compression of CN III gives what symptoms first? why?
mydriasis first (parasympathetic fibres outside)
ptosis, down and out deviation later (somatic fibres on inside)
who is at increased risk of subdural haematoma and why?
elderly
age-related CNS atrophy draws the brain back from the skull which stretches the vessels and predisposes to haematoma formaiton
Berry aneurysm associations
PCKD
Marfan’s
GBM is benign or malignant?
malignant
most common CNS tumour in children?
where does it arrise?
pilocytic astrocytoma
subtentoral - cerebellum
aetiology of spongiform encephalopathy
- sporadic (bad)
- inherited
- transmitted (‘infectious’)
haemorrhage at the periphery of the cortex suggests what aetiology?
embolic stroke (e.g. AF)
probably in MCA
following Wernicke encephalopathy, Korsakoff syndrome persists..
2 symptoms?
confabulation
memory loss
muscle action of obturator nerve
adduction of thigh
what does Rufifni corpuscles sense?
deep touch, slippage of objects, joint angle change
xanthochromia suggests what?
subarachnoid haemorrhage
what passes through jugular foramen?
nerve - CN IX (glossopharyngeal), X (vagus), XI (spinal accessory)
vessel - jugular vein
what is the order of sensation loss with local anaesthetic?
pain - temperature - touch - pressure
meningothelial cells tumour in adults
what sex more frequently?
meningioma
Romberg test specifically tests for what?
distiguish between sensory or cerebellar ataxia
removal of visual input (closing eyes) means patient must rely on cerebellar integration of proprioceptive signals
Romberg +ve = sensory ataxia
what is entacapone/tolcapone?
peripheral COMT inhibitor which acts like carpidopa to increase L-DOPA availability to brain
what is the difference between a focal and generalised seizure?
focal = 1 cerebral hemisphere at onset
generalized = both hemispheres at onset
when are the changes of axonal reaction at their most visible during Walleriagn degeneration?
12 days
four functions of the facial nerve (affected in Bell’s palsy)
- facial muscles
- anterior 2/3rd of tongue
- autonomic innervation to lacrimal, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands
- somatic afferents from pinna and external auditory canal
thalamus medial geniculate nucleus
what sensory input/nerve?
hearing
superior olive and inferior colliculus of tectum
headache with sweating, facial flushing, nasal congestion, lacrimation and pupil changes suggests what?
cluster headache
diagnosis
epidural haematoma
astrocyte tumour in adults
glioblastoma multiforme
what are these called?
what is the tumour?
perivascular pseudorosette
ependymoma
thalamus lateral geniculate nucleus
what sensory input/nerve?
vision
CN II (optic)
what is the difference between physostigmine and other cholinesterase inhibitors?
physostigmine crosses BBB
what is cerebral pontine myelinosis?
demyelination of the pons leading to locked-in syndrome when hyponatraemia has been corrected too quickly
what are the three main muscles of the tongue and their actions?
- hypoglossus - retracts and depresses
- genioglossus - protrudes the tongue
- styloglossus - draws sides of tongue up
describe this and what is the diagnosis?
regions of necrosis surrounded by tumour cells (pseudopalisading) and endothelial cell proliferation
gliblastoma multiforme
what are the 3 visible changes of Wallerian degeneration?
- cellular oedema
- nucleus to the side
- Nissl staining darker and throughout the cell body
what is this and what are the associated conditions?
holoprosencephaly - monoventricle and fusion of the basal ganglia
Trisomy 13 and foetal alcohol syndrome
diagnosis?
pilocytic astrocytoma
diagnosis
spongiform encephalopathy
what is the inheritance pattern of Friedreich Ataxia?
AR
unstable trinucleotide repeat (GAA) in frataxin gene
where does Abeta amyloid come from?
APP protein, coded for on Ch21
APP usually undergoes alpha cleavage, but beta cleavage results in Abeta and subsequent plaque formation
what areas of CNS are involved in ALS?
lower motor neurons - anterior horn
upper motor neurons - lateral cortiospinal tract
principles of anaesthetics
what does blood and lipid solubility equate to clinically?
low blood solubility = rapid onset
lipid solubility = potency
2 obstetric signs of anencephaly
- elevated AFP (as with all NTDs)
- polyhydramnios (baby cannot swallow)
what structure connects the lateral to the 3rd ventricles?
foramen of monroe
what is this? what vessel has ruptured?
subarachnoid haemorrhage
berry aneurysm in the circle of willis
what cranial nerve exits at the level of the middle cerebellar peduncles?
trigeminal (CN V)
what is the first area of the brain damaged by global ischaemic injury?
pyramidal cells of hippucampus
universal astrocyte marker
GFAP
where is satiety sensation regulated?
ventromedial hypothalamus
what medication can be started following SAH prophylactically? how does it work?
nimodepine
cerebral Ca++ channel blocker that prevents post-SAH vasospasm
what about the vessel of a berry aneurysm makes it likely to rupture?
lacks a Media layer where the vessel is branching
which anti-epileptic first line drug is hepatotoxic requiring LFT monitoring?
valproate
cerebellar haemangioblastoma and visceral organ cysts (esp renal) suggests what disease?
von hippel lindau disease
associated with (bilateral) renal clear cell carcinoma
pale infarction suggests what aetiology?
thrombotic stroke
what agents act centrally in PD treatment to prevent breakdown of DA?
COMT inhibitor - tolcapone
MAO-B inhibitor - selegiline/rasagiline
of all brain tumours, how many are metastatic ?
50%
what are the different neuromuscular blockade drugs?
depolarising - ACh receptor agonists (succinylcholine)
non-depolarising - competitive ACh antagonists (tubcurarine, rocuroniuml, vecuronium)
Rx normal pressure hydrocephalus
LP gives temporary relief of symptoms
VP shunt definitive treatment
what is the first line treatment for acute status epilepticus?
benzodiazapines
lighting pain
absent reflexes
ataxia
suggests what pathology?
neurosyphilis
parotid gland tumour is associated with damage to which nerve?
facial nerve
what is located at the posterior portion of superior temporal gyrus
bilateral?
Wernicke’s area - only on the dominant temporal lobe
hydrocephalus ex-vacuo is what?
enlargement of the ventricles caused by central neuron volume loss, rather than increased ventricular pressure
what CNS tumour crosses the corpus callosum?
GBM
define meningitis
inflammation of the leptomeninges (pia & arachnoid)
what is the reversal of depolarising NM block?
Phase I (prolonged depolarization) - no reversal possible
Phase II (repolarized but nAChR desensitized) - cholinesterase inhibitors
pathogenesis of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
gradual decrease in CSF resorption through the arachnoid granulations to the central venous sinus.
gradual increase in CSF volume allows the brain to retain function disproportionate to the degeneration visible on scan.
wet, wobbly, wacky
frontal blading, gonadal atrophy, muscle weakness and difficulty with doors suggests what pathology?
myotonic muscular dystrophy
diagnosis
subdural haematoma
what focal seizure
loss of consciousness & postictal state
possible automatisms (e.g. lip smacking)
complex focal
type of necrosis in ischaemic stroke
liquefactive necrosis
what is vigabatrin? indication?
GABA transaminase inhibitor
focal seizures
what is overdose treatment for barbituates?
supportive
maintain respiration and blood pressure
polio - LMN or UMN?
LMN
poliovirus attacks neurons in the anterior horn
15 year old boy with kyphoscoliosis and pes cavus has difficulty moving and walking
what is the diagnosis and what is the neuropathology?
Friedreich ataxia
degeneration of the spinocerebellar, lateral cortiospinal tract, and dorsal columns and DRGs
HOCM and DM 1 are associated
whorled pattern, psammoma bodies
diagnosis?
meningioma
adrenoleukodystrophy is cause by what?
inability to bind long-chain fatty acids to coenzyme A
what passes through foramen rotundum?
CN V2 - maxillary division of trigeminal
what is the antedote for benzo overdose?
flumazenil
competitive antagonist at GABA receptor
mutlinucleated giant cells in the brain suggest what?
HIV infection
forces microglial cells to fuse
ventral posteriolateral nucleus of thalamus
what sensory input/nerve(s)?
whole body sensation
spinothalalmic and dorsal columns, medial lemniscus
to primary somatosensory cortex
what is the target of carbidopa?
how does this help?
peripheral dopa decarboxylase, blocking conversion of L-DOPA to peripheral dopamine
increases availability of L-DOPA to cross into brain
lesion in the reticular activating system gives…
decreased arousal/coma
what is first line treatment for generalized, tonic-clonic seizures?
phenytoin or valproate
astrocyte tumour in kinds
pilocytic astrocytoma
what are the dopamine agonists in PD?
two groups
Ergot - bromocriptine
non-ergot - pramipexole, ropinirole (preferred)
what is levetiracitam? indications?
unknown mechanism anti-epileptic (possibly affects GABA/glutamate balance)
focal and tonic-clonic seizures
what is diphenoxylate?
opioid used as anti-diarrhoeal
where do you get an ependymoma?
wall of the 4th ventricle
what is sumitriptan?
cautions?
5-HT(1B/D) receptor agonist
inhibits trigeminal nerve activaiton, prevents vasodilation
treats migranes and cluster headaches
vasospasm - CAD, angina
what are the broad spectrum anti-epileptic drugs? (4)
levotiracitam, lamotragine, topiramate, valproate
(L-, L-, -ate, -ate)
what leaves the skull through optic canal?
nerve - CN II
vessels - opthalmic artery, central retinal vein
what is dextromethorphan?
opioid drug used as anti-tussive
what is the water sensing part of hypothalamus?
organum vasculosum lamina terminalis, OVLT
distinguishing symptoms of MCA stroke
only face and arms
parietal cortex involvement
(hemisensory neglect/aphasia depending on dominant hemisphere)
what is the mechanism of action for barbituates?
facilitates GABA(A) channels, keeps Cl- channel open for longer duration when activated by endogenous GABA.
what is the side effect of epinephrine used for glaucoma?
mydriasis, do not use in closed-angle glaucoma
how do cholinomimetics affect the eye and treat glaucoma?
M3 agonists
contraction of ciliary muscle, opening of trabecular meshwork and increasing outflow of aqueous humour
PML is caused by what and who gets it?
pattern?
JC virus
AIDS/leukaemia patients
rapidly progressive neurological signs (visual loss, weakness & dementia) leading to death
what are the two groups of local anaesthetic and examples of each
esters - procaine, cocaine, benzocaine
amides - lidocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine
what passes through internal auditory meatus?
CN VII (facial) and CN VIII (vestibulocochlear)
what is cyclobenaprine?
muscle relaxant acting centrally. similar to TCAs in structure
top bug for children and teenagers for meningitis
N meningitidis
‘fried egg’ cell appearance on biopsy
oligodendroglioma
medulloblastoma occurs in children. where is the most likely location for the tumour to develop?
cerebellar vermis
symptoms of mild global cerebral ischaemia?
transient confusion with total recovery
tinnitus
diagnosis? where exactly is this lesion located?
unilateral vestibulocochlear nerve schwannoma
cerebellopontine angle (between cerebellum and lateral pons)
where is the lesion in hemispatial neglect syndrome of a right hand dominant patient?
nondominant (right) parietal lobe
contralateral agnosia (left side neglect)
GFAP positive suggests what 5 cancers?
glial cell origin
pilocytic astrocytoma, GBM, ependymoma, oligodendroglioma, schwannoma
symptoms - fontal lobe lesion
disinhibition/concentration deficit
what is the protein structural change for spongiform encephalopathy?
prion protein going from alpha-helix to beta-sheet
nerve association of 2nd pharyngeal arch
facial nerve (CN VII)
What is brimonidine?
alpha-2 receptor agonist for use in glaucoma
what is Arnold Chiari malformation
what are the two types?
herniation of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum
Type 1 - no obstruction to CSF flow and no symptoms
Type 2 - vermis also heriated, obstructs drainage of the 4th ventricle so non-communicating hydrocephalus
what is benzotropine?
(also trihexyphenidyl)
antimuscarinic used in PD to stop tremor and rigidity
no effect on bradykinesia
PathoG - rosenthal fibres
pilocytic astrocytoma
what passes through foramen ovale?
CN V3 - mandibular divison of trigeminal
how does the pH of a tissue (infected = acidic) affect local anaesthetic action?
acidic means amides will be charged so cannot cross cell membrane.
higher concentration of anaesthetic needed
nerve roots for all the reflexes…
sing song!
S1-2, buckle my shoe - achilles
L3-4, kick the door - patellar
C5-6, pick up the sticks - biceps
C7-8, lay them straight - triceps
what is a leukodystrophy?
inherited mutation in enzymes needed for myelination/maintenance of myelin
intracranial cyst filled with brown-yellow viscous fluid like machine oil
presence of protein and cholesterol crystals
diagnosis?
craniopharyngioma
foramina of Luschka and Magendie
which are located where relative to midline?
Luschka - bilateral
Magendie - posteriomedial