Neurology Flashcards
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Define titubation
A tremor causing a nodding movement of the head (or body) often in a yes-yes-no-no way
Define dysphonia
Difficulty with speech due to physical disorder of mouth, tongue, palate or vocal cords
Define dysarthria
Poor articulation of speech that is otherwise linguistically normal
Define dysphasia
Difficulty with language (but not physical production of sounds)
Can be expressive or receptive
How do you test for dysphasia?
Give a one stage command and if successful continue with more complex commands. Write down words if necessary.
Expressively dysphasic patients will be able to follow commands but not answer questions making any sense.
Also ask patients to name objects. Receptively dysphasic patients often get the idea and can name the object, but expressively dysphasic patients cannot.
How do you test for dysphnia?
Say: Pa pa pa (Facial muscles) Ta ta ta (tongue) Ka ka ka (Soft palate) Baby hippopotamus British constitution
What treatment should a patient receive before, during and following a stem cell transplant?
Before: Adjuvant chemotherapy
During: Diuretic
After: Antifungal (fluconazole) 6 months Antiviral (Acyclovir) 12 months Antibiotic (Trimethoprim) 6 months Antiemetic (Donperidone) PRN
What is the age limit for stem cell transplant
46
From where are stem cell transplant cells taken
The patient - Autologous transplant (replaced after being treated)
What are the potential complications of stem cell transplants?
Hyperthyroid
Loss of memory B cells
What two phenomena combine to cause cogwheel rigidity? What condition is this finding suggestive of?
Tremor and rigidity
Parkinsonism
What does the short synactin test test for?
Hypoadrenalism
Synactin is given at 9am with bloods taken at 9 and 9:30am to assess response
What is the typical posture of a patient with pyramidal weakness?
Upper limb(s) flexed, lower limb(s)s extended
What condition presents with mixed upper and lower motor neuron signs?
Motor neuron disease
What three ways can motor neuron disease present?
Limb
Respiratory
Bulbar (speech and swallowing)
NB: Any onset can spread to involve the other two as the disease progresses
What is the treatment for MND?
Riluzole - extends life expectancy by ~3 months
Symptomatic support
What does the acronym IDEAL stand for?
Stroke inpatient necessities:
Imaging DVT prophylaxis ECG Anticoagulation/antiplatelet Lab tests
Which is closer to the midline of the brain, putamen or globus pallidus?
Globus pallidus
Putamen is Peripheral!
Can you co-prescribe Clopidogrel and Omeprazole?
No, they interact.
Prescribe Clopidogrel and LANSOPRAZOLE
When should Creatinine Kinase be tested?
When a patient is suspected to have spent a long period of time immobile (eg stroke and found on floor) High CK (in thousands) shows Rhabdomyelysis and likely AKI
How do you test for colour blindness?
Ishihara plates
What types of colourblindness are there?
Red-Green.
Less sensitive to red = Protanopia
Less sensitive to green = Deuteranopia
Is colour blindness more common in one gender?
Yes, males
How do you treat discitis?
IV Flucloxacillin and IV Rifampicin
What do you see on imaging of a SAH?
Starfish on base of skull
What do you see on imaging of extradural haemorrhage?
Biconvex blood accumulation between brain and skull, possible midline shift
What do you see on imaging of subdural haemorrhage?
Crescent shaped blood around edge of cortical grey matter
What can be caused by co-prescribing antiepileptic and antpsychotic drugs?
Terminal Ileus
What is assessed when a lumbar puncture is taken?
WCC - Infection marker
Protein - Inflammation marker
Xanthochromia - RBC breakdown product (bleeds)
Pressure - RIP
Define a semantic error in aphasia
Substituting a different word which describes a different object (eg saying clock instead of watch)
Define a phonic error in aphasia
Substituting a different word which sounds similar (eg saying witch instead of watch)
In what timeframe would a vascular event present?
Instantly
In what timeframe would an inflammatory event present?
3-6 Weeks
In what timeframe would an infective event present?
3-6 Weeks
In what timeframe would a degenerative event present?
Months to Years
Describe Hoover’s sign
A test for functional symptoms - if unilateral leg weakness is described, feel the weak leg while asking patient (lying on couch) to flex strong leg at the hip.
If positive the weak leg will use normal power to balance body while strong leg is being flexed.
By what other name are functional symptoms called?
What is the cause of functional symptoms?
Somatisation syndrome
Caused by past intolerable, unacceptable stress that patient has no control over. Memories of this stress are too difficult for the body to handle and so it avoids them by distracting itself with functional symptoms. This is most commonly childhood trauma, especially sexual abuse.
If a stroke patient is having speech problems, how might you figure out the location of the stroke?
If patient has aphasia it is likely to be cortical, test for expressive and receptive dysphasia.
If patient has dysarthria it is likely to be a brainstem or cerebellar stroke.
T/F, a patient with a brainstem stroke is likely to complain of double vision
True.
Cortical strokes rarely cause double vision
What can cause hemiparesis?
Stroke Hemiplegic migraine Todd's paresis (follows epileptic attack) Hypoglycaemia Functional symptoms
How is a lumbar puncture performed?
Procedure and SEs described and consent gained.
Patient is laid on side. Line drawn between ASISs and intervertebral gap identified. Site cleaned and lidocaine injected. Skin needle inserted followed by non-cutting LP needle that passes through tissues and into dura. Needle core removed and CFS flows out slowly. Opening pressure is measured (should be between 12-20cm. 5 bottles then filled with 10 drops CSF and closing pressure measured (between 4th and 5th pots). Needles removed and dressing applied.
Procedure documented.
What are the potential side effects of a LP?
Low pressure headache
Meningeal tear (if low pressure headache continues over 2 days)
Infection
Bleeding
For what is Botox injection a treatment?
Muscular dystonia (of face or cervical spine)
Injections every 8-12 weeks to relax muscles.
Overtreatment in bulbar region can cause swallowing difficulties
What is a serious psychiatric side effect of antiepileptic drugs?
Suicidal ideation
Most frequent with Levetriacetam
What can cause vertigo?
Labyrinthitis
BPPV - Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo
Drugs (antiepileptics, antidepressants)
Vestibular migraine
What is BPPV, how is it caused and how is it treated?
Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo
Intermittent vertigo initiated by specific movement(s). Frequently involves vomiting and swaying.
Caused by Otoliths, which are crystals in the labyrinth of semicircular canals that get stuck in certain positions.
Treated with Epley manouvre (tilting head to one side, lay down, tilt head to other side, sit up.
Define penumbra
The area around a stroke focus that experiences reduced bloodflow and without treatment will also die, but is salvageable with quick treatment.
Describe a spastic gait
Circumduction, no bending of the knee, often bilateral
Describe a hemiplegic gait
Unilateral circumduction, extended leg with foot drop but flexed ipsilateral arm
Describe a fastodian gait
Aka Shuffling gait
difficulty initiating, difficulty turning, small steps, reduced arm swing, stooped posture
Describe a high steppage gait
Walking with foot drop, so high steppage is required to avoid scraping toes along floor
Describe a waddling gait
Pelvic drop with upper body compensation creating the waddling appearance
Describe an ataxic gait
Wide base, unstable
Describe a gait involving chorea
Chorea = involuntary movements, therefore the gait is difficult and random, varying speed. Balance is unaffected however
Describe an antalgic gait
Limping due to pain
What conditions can cause a spastic gait?
MS
Cord compression
Genetic causes
What conditions can cause a hemiplegic gait?
Stroke
What conditions can cause a fastodian gait?
Parkinsomism
What conditions can cause a high steppage gait?
Peripheral neuropathy
What conditions can cause a waddling gait?
Proximal myopathy
What conditions can cause an ataxic gait?
Cerebellar lesions
Describe status epilepticus
NOT self-limiting siezures that occur before recovery is made or (rarely) continuously. Greater than 30 mins without stopping is definite, greater than 5 minutes without stopping is highly suggestive.
Can be tonic-clonic, Focal, Absence or Myoclonic but tonic-clonic status is the only emergency.
What can cause status epilepticus?
Changes or withdrawal of antiepilepsy meducations, learning disabilities or structural brain lesions.
Can also occur in non-elipeltics caused by alcohol, encephalitis, hypoglycaemia, ampheamines, hyponatruaemia, hypocalcaemia, stroke
What features are useful for differentiating epileptic from non-epileptic attacks?
In epileptic siezures: Eyes closed (Open in non-epileptic) Mouth open (closed in non-epileptic) Incontinence common (rare in non-epileptic) Tongue biting on side Rhythmic tonic-clonic movements (steady tremor that rarely stops is more non-epileptic) Hyperprolactinaemia High CK High lactate
What investigations should you do in status epilepticus?
Blood glucose U+E Temperature ESR CRP Tox screen CT head
How would you treat status epilepticus?
Benzodiazepines (IV Lorazepam or sublingual/rectal diazepal), two doses 10 mins apart
2nd line try Levotriacetam or Phenyotoin
Refer to ICU and use general anaesthesia if necessary
IV Thiamine (eg Pabrinex)
What causes Guillian-Barre syndrome?
Previous GI or URT infection, most commonly campylobacter (diarrhoea)
Can also be EBV, H influenzae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae
What are the symptoms of GBS?
Progressive, ascending weakness 1-3 weeks post infection, with or without paraesthesia
Can involve facial or bulbar muscles
Gradual loss of reflexes
Back pain
What is the prognosis for GBS?
Symptoms worst 2 weeks post onset
Self limiting but slow recovery.
30% remain disabled.
What is the diagnosis? and 3 differentials
A patient presents with progressive, ascending weakness and paraesthesia. This is associated with back pain.
On examination there are absent ankle reflexes.
They admit to having had a cold 3 weeks ago.
Guillian Barre Syndrome
Differentials:
Botulism
Cord compression
Myasthenia gravis
What investigations would you do in GBS?
Serum IgA (deficiency leads to anaphylaxis with IVIg treatment)
LP (high protein, normal WCC)
NCS (slow conduction due to demyelination)
How is GBS managed?
IVIg or Plasmapheresis
Gabapentin (neuropathic pain)
Physiotherapy
ITU (Resp ventillation, SALT assessment, Cardiac assessment, all if necessary)
How does Miller Fisher syndrome present?
Progressive ophthalmoplegia and ataxia. Pure sensory variant of GBS
What is the incidence of SAH?
1 in 10,000 (UK)
What causes SAH?
Berry aneurysm rupture
Traumatic or infectious aneurysm
Clotting disorder/anticoagulation
Dural Arterio-Venous Malformation
What are the symptoms of SAH?
Thunderclap headache with instant onset mostly associated with strenuous activity.
Neck stiffness (pain on flexion of neck or spine)
Photophobia
Coma or lowered GCS
Positive Kernig’s sign
What is the diagnosis?
80 year old male presents with an intense headache that started in an instant while he was getting out of bed. His neck is stiff and he is covering his eyes.
His wife reports he is slowly becoming more confused.
Subarachnoid heamorrhage
What investigations should be done for SAH?
CT head on day of admission
LP (RBCs or Xanthochromia, high opening pressure)
CT angiogram
Bloods (U+E, FBC, clotting)
How is SAH managed?
Bed rest with head elevated at 45 degrees ABCDE+resus if low GCS Fluids (over 3L/day to avoid vasospasm) Nill By Mouth Analgesia Antiemetics Aneurysm clipping or coiling Nimodipine (CCB for hypertension)
What is the prognosis for SAH?
Rule of thirds:
33% recover completely
33% recover partially
33% fatal
What is the prevalence of meningitis?
2-3 per 100,000
What are the possible routes of meningitis infection?
ears
nasopharynx
cranial injury
blood stream
What infectious agents can cause meningitis?
Which causes the non-blanching rash?
Bacteria: Strep. pneumoniae Staph. aureus Neisseria meningitidis *causes the non-blanching rash TB
Viruses: HIV Herpes simplex Epstein-Barr virus Mumps
Fungi:
Candida albicans
Cryptococcus neoformans
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
Headache
Fever
Photophobia
Neck stiffness
CN 3,4,6,8 palsies focal neurological deficits siezures raised ICP non-blanching rash weight loss (if TB caused) Vomiting Kernig's sign positive
What is the diagnosis?
20 year old female presents with her student flatmate suffering with a headache, fever and neck stiffness. She is wearing sunglasses indoors.
Meningitis
What investigations do you do for meningitis?
Blood cultures
CXR
CT head
LP (if possible)
What is the management of meningitis?
Emperical antibiotics:
With rash - Benzylpenicillin or cefotaxime
No rash - Cefotaxime, Vancomycin & Ampicillin
Then follow microbiology guidance from MC&S
What can cause raised intracranial pressure?
Mass lesions
Venus sinus thrombosis
Hydrocephalus
What can result because of raised intracranial haemorrhage? What are the types of this?
HERNIATION
Cingulate - cingulate gyrus under falx
Central - Diencephalon through tentorial incisura (pituitary stalk may be sheared or PCA compressed)
Uncal - Uncus or hippocampus over edge of tentorium (confusion, CNIII palsy, coma, contralateral weakness)
Upward cerebellar - vermis above tentorium (Compression of SCA, veins and aqueduct causing hydrocephalus. Anaxia, unequal fixed pupils, low GCS. Caused by posterior fossa mass)
Tonsillar - Cerebellar tonsils through foramen magnum (ataxia, CN VI palsy, low GCS, rapidly fatal. Can be post-LP)
How is cranial herniation managed?
IV Mannitol 20% bolus (removes fluid from brain)
Sedation
Treat the cause (neurosurgery referral)
What can cause encephalitis?
Mostly viral:
Herpes simplex
Varicella Zoster
Autoimmune
What are the symptoms of encephalitis?
Fever Acute confusion New siezures Personality change Lowered GCS focal neurological defecits (Hyponatraemia if AI)
What is the diagnosis:
A 65 year old female presents with a fever, acute confusion and lowered GCS. Her husband reports her to be acting up a bit.
On examination she has weakness of her left side with ipsilateral sensation disturbance.
Viral encephalitis
What is the diagnosis:
A 65 year old male presents with a new seizure that has left him confused, drowsy and not quite himself. He has lost sensation in his right arm.
On investigation, you find his blood Na to be low.
AI encephalitis