Neurology Flashcards
With all neuro BIT and MAT
BIT = CT
MAT = MRI
right sided weakness of face, arm, legs and Speech deficits. and a left homonymous hemianopsyia
which artery is occluded?
LEFT MCA occlusion
BIT = CT
MAT = MRI
Within first 3-4 hours do thrombolytics
Clear with catheter if within 6 hrs.
MCA SPARES the FOREHEAD!!!
For any stroke what is the next best steps taken?
- BIT = CT
- Thrombolytics within first 3-4 hrs
- Catheterization within first 6 hrs of presentation
If after 3-4 hours what do you give? Aspirin.
If already on aspirin switch to clopidogrel or add dipyramidol
Whats always contraindicated in stroke?
Heparin
Whats always contraindicated in stroke?
Heparin
Leg weakness more than upper extremity weakness + COGNITIVE and personality changes + Incontinence
which artery is this?
ANTERIOR
cerebral artery
what do you do if patient presents after 3-4 hours of stroke symptom onset?
Aspirin.
What if they are already on aspirin?
Switch to clopidogrel or add Dipyramidol
How do you know difference between stroke and facial palsy?
MCA Stroke will SPARE the forehead.
Facial palsy will include the forehead.. upper and lower face.
which muscle group is stronger.. extensors or flexors?
Extensors.
Storke and visual fields
Left MCA occlusion will cause a right homonymous hemianopsia (right half of visual field in BOTH eyes is gone).
Right MCA will cause left.
15% of strokes bleed - Hemmhoragic stroke.. what can we do for these patients?
nothing. we cant do anything for these patients.
surgical decompression is only done for epidural or subdural bleeds.. not hemhorragic strokes.
CT scan and stroke reads
three main kinds of strokes:
- hemhoragic
- embolic
- ischemic
CT scan will pick up hemhoragic strokes right away - blood.
Embolic and Ischemic take time.. CT scan becomes 95% sensitive to rule these out after 4-5 days of the event.
The MRI only needs 12-24 hours to become 95% sensitive for embolic / ischemic.. so if its not showing up on CT and you are suspecting stroke do a MRI.
MRA becomes 95% sensitive within 2-3 hours for embolic and ischemic
so the scans are helpful.. but you dont base therapy (TPA / Aspirin / Cath) on the results of the scan, but on the NEUROLOGIC SYMPTOMS
What dictates therapy in a stroke?
neurologic symptoms.
not the scans.
Still.. 1st thing we will always do for stroke symptoms is a CT. and MRI is still best test for Stroke. But start treatment based on symptoms and time of presentation.
adding clopidogrel
In the heart you ADD clopidogrel if patient is on aspirin already and patient has anginal symptoms.
In STROKE you NEVER add clopidogrel you SWITCH from aspirin to clopidogrel.
adding clopidogrel in storke will result in bleeding.
what if patient has stroke and MI and got a stent for the MI?
then you treat the most dangerous one - MI
In stents you MUST give both aspirin and clopidogrel
Meaning you give both aspirin and clopidogrel… even though the combo is contraindicated in stroke.. you have to give it.
stenting in stroke
NEVER stent a stroke - leads to rupture
MI you can stent no problem
Echo of the carotid
if patient comes in with stroke symptoms and on echo you find 70-99% occlusion then you do SURGERY –> carotid end arterectomy
If patient has NO symptoms but you find 70-99% occlusion of the carotid what do you do?
NOTHING.
If patient has NO symptoms but you find 70-99% occlusion of the carotid what do you do?
Nothing. –> carotid endarterectomy is a dangerous procedure.. it kills people. we avoid it if there is no symptoms.
what drug should everyone with a non-hemhoragic stroke get?
STATIN@!!!
someone under 50 getting a stroke what should you think about?
vasculitis / auto-immune disease
Check:
- ESR - inflammatory vasculitis
- ANA / VDRL –> hyper coag states in diseases like Lupus
where in the brain do you have to have a stroke to lose consciousness?
Brain stem
Dizzy / LOC + Dysarthria + Dysphagia + Diplopia (CN 3 & 6), + Bilateral findings
Posterior circulation stroke either in the:
- Vertebral artery
- Basilar artery
The only way to view a stroke in these is MRI!!!
there is no way to lose consciousness from a stroke in any location other than in the brain stem.. and these are the arteries that supply the brain stem.
what foods are migraines associated with?
cheese
chocolate
red wine
menstruating
Cluster headache
refers to a symptom pattern - meaning the headaches are short and multiple and recur (clusters).
Symptoms seen:
- teary red eye
- nasal stuffiness
- UNIlateral
Abortive therapy triptans and ergotamines.. in pregnancy / htn / cad use 100% oxygen!
Preventive therapy - Verapimil
Migraines
Visual disturbances
normal exam
normal MRI
normal CT etc.
abortive therapy - Triptans and Ergotamines (cause vasoconstriction)
We think that migraines are caused by vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation.. ant the pain comes when there is the vasodilation.. so the abortive treatments focus on causing constriction
In CAD / HTN / Prego.. use pain killers instead of triptans / ergotamines
Preventive therapy - if yo uhave more than 3-4 migraines per month use non-selective BBs PROPANOLOL! or Topiramate or TCAs or Divalproex sodium
When are triptans and ergotamines CONTRAINDICATED??
- CAD
- HTN
- Pregancy
the constrictive effects of triptans and ergotamines will make all of the above worse!!
trigeminal neuralgia pain
carbamazipine
seizure meds are always good for neuro pain
post herpetic neuralgia or peripheral neuropathy pain
gabapentin
pregabalin
TCAs
seizure meds are always good for neuro pain
62yo male comes in with
LOC CT is negative dizziness weakness of right arm ataxia left leg sensory R leg Echo is negative holter is negative Right carotid artery doppler shows 85% stenonsis what is the next step in management?
Thrombolytics (first 3-4 hrs)
aspirin after that
you will NOT do a carotid endarterectomy.
all of this patients findings are pointing to a posterior stroke. LOC / dizziness etc. bilateral findings! –> vertebral or basialr findings (posterior findings)
The findings of the carotid are incidental.. but the patient does not have any symptoms of Right carotid artery stroke.. thus its asymptomatic.. thus WE WILL NOT DO SURGERY for this patient.
stupor vs delirium?
Both are caused by the following:
- Increased or Decreased Na
- Hypoxia
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypercalcemia
- Liver or renal pathology (hepatic encephalopathy / Uremia).
- Drugs / toxins
- CNS issues.
If someone comes in with delirium / stupor or seizure.. all of the above have to be tested for and ruled out FIRST.
The difference between delirium and stupor is intensity and duration… otherwise they are the same spectrum of disease.
Seizure is the WORST manifestation of delirium and stupor. So if someone comes in with seizure.. make sure you rule out all of the above first.
what is the BIT of seizure?
best initial test of seizure is CT and ruling out all of the causes of delirium / stupor.
what is epilepsy
seizure disorder of unclear etiology.. meaning you check all the causes of stupor / delirium and found nothing.
Types of seizures
Generalized vs Partial
Generalized - whole body
Partial - specific area of body twitching.
Simple vs Complex:
Simple = awake
Complex = not awake (LOC)
what is the best anti-epileptic therapy for long term or for pregnancy?
we dont know.
this will not be on exam since we dont know.
we know the WORST ones in pregnancy:
- valproic acid
- phenytoin
both of these interfere with follate.. so dont give these..
but what is best.. we dont know
what is Best initial therapy for STATUS EPILEPTICUS?
This we know:
1. First line is always benzos if they keep seizing 2. 2nd line is fosphenytoin. if they keep seizing 3. Phenobarbital if they keep seizing 4. General anesthesia (NM blockade)
Benzos:
Lorazepam or Benzodiazepam!
if that doesn’t work then use fosphenytoin.
Fosphenytoin = phenytoin.. except fosphenytoin does NOT cause AV block or decreased BP.
3rd agent added is Phenobarbital
4th agent added is Neuromuscular blocakde – this will stop muscular contractions.. but the patient is STILL SEIZING!! so the NM blockade is just allowing you to INTUBATE the patient and add midazolam and proofol
for patients after status epilepticus.. they will be put on an anti-seizure med.. what is the best one and when can you stop taking it?
We do NOT do long term treatment for first time seizures because the majority of them happen at home and go away by themselves.. we treat long term in the following circumstances:
- If the patient came to the hospital status epilepticus and we had to use drugs to break the seizure.
- cause of the seizure is uncorrectable - CNS diseases or tumors etc.
- strong family history of seizures.
- abnormal EEG
WE DO NOT KNOW THE BEST ONE.. wont ask that
We dont know when you can stop either.. but we keep patients on the meds for 2-3 years.. if they are seizure free… that whole time. then we can stop.
for patients who have seizures what can you do in terms of them driving?
cant take away their cars.. cant report to DMV.
You can ONLY ask them to not drive.
subarachnoid hemhorage
looks a lot like meningitis:
- stiff neck
- photophobia
- Headache
- Kernig and burzinski sign
- papilledema
SAH can be differentiated because it will have the following in addition to the above:
- SUDDEN onset
- 50% will have Loss of consciousness.
- CT scan will show blood for 95% of patients… IF it does not.. THEN and only then.. you do the LP.
Why do you have the LOC? because the sudden increase in ICP causes loss of consciousness.
Treatment :
- Nimodipine
- Angiogram to embolize using platinum
Pseudotumor Cerebri
- papilledema
- increased ICP
- 6th CN palsy (abducens)
treat with weight loss and acetazolamide.
Can use VP shunt and drain fluid if acetazolamide doesn’t work.
Dorsal columns
position and vibration sense.
In B12 deficiency when you get subacute combined degeneration you ONLY lose position and vibration sense.
in neurospyhilis you ONLY lose position and vibration sense
spinothalamic tract
pain and temp.
crosses at spinal cord so the deficit will always be on the OPPOSITE side of lesion!!!
Spinal trauma
lose everything below level of trauma
weakness, incontinence, pain temp etc.. everything
Syringomyelia
A bubble in the spinal cord after trauma.. this will cause everything around the spinal cord.
The tracts closest to the spinal cord are pain and temp.. SO now you will get BILATERAL (since its all around spinal cord) loss of pain and temp.. hits tracks on both sides of spinal cord
Cape like distribution.
Diagnose with MRI
Treat with surgery
ipsilateral position and vibration sense lost + CONTRAlateral pain and temp lost.. what happened?
Hemi section of spine = Brown Sequard.
Caused by being knifed in the back or bayontted in the back. Can also be caused by a cancer compressing half of the spinal cord
anterior spinal cord lesion
everything is lost EXCEPT position and vibration sense (posterior spinal cord).
In Subacute combined degeneration or neurosyphilis you only LOSE position and vibratory sense.
In Anterior spinal cord lesion you only RETAIN position and vibratory and lose all other things (motor / pain / temp / sensation)
patient comes in with fever + headache + focal signs +/- seizures –> what do you do next?
CT / MRI
If CT shows ring enhancing lesions then you have to consider two things. Is the patient HIV + of not?
- HIV + –> its either Toxoplamosis or Lymphoma.
- Not HIV + –> then it can be any cancer or infection.
If they are HIV+ treat the patient with Pyrimethamine and Sulfadiazine (if alergic to sulfa then use CLINDAMYCIN. After this do CT again in 2 weeks and if its smaller then its Toxoplasmosis. If it doesnt get better.. NOW you have to biopsy the patient and see whats in the abscess and treat accordingly.
What do you do for the HIV negative people?
BIOPSY is the first step. Dont try any drugs just biopsy.
Tuberous Sclerosis vs Neurofibromatosis vs Sturge webber
Tuberous Sclerosis:
1. skin adenomas
2. shagreens patches –> leathery skin patches
3. Ash leaf spots –> hypopigmented spots
4. Mental retardation
5. seizures
6. intracrainal calcifications
No Treatment for disease.. treat the seizures as they come.
NeuroFibromatosis: 1. Deafness --> CN 8 injury 2. Meningioma 3. seizures No treatment.. treat issues as they arise
Sturge Webber: 1. Port Wine stain 2. Intracranial calcification's 3. Eye problems 4. Hemiparesis No treatment.. treat issues as they arise
Parkinsonism
1 issues with parkinsons:
- Slowed gait
- Orthostasis!!!
secondary:
- resting tremor (goes away with intention)
- progressive supranuclear palsy –> cant look up or down very well.. patients keep tripping.
No tests for parkinsons. CLINICAL diagnosis.
how do you differentiate essential tremor from parkinson?
essential tremor is there MOSTLY with intention.
Improves with propanolol or alcohol.
Parkinsons is purely resting.. goes away with intention.
Parkinsons treatment
Pharmacologic Sinemet (levodopa, carbidopa) best for bradykinesia but may cause dizziness, headache, and hallucinations
Bromocriptine and pergolide directly activate dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia
Anticholinergics (benztropine/trihexyphenidyl) for tremor
Amantadine effective in increasing dopamine in mild disease
Selegiline inhibits one of the two major enzymes that breaks down dopamine in the brain
COMT inhibitors - TOlcapone, Entacapone –> increase the life span of dopamine.. are not used by themselves.. always added on to other drugs.
Surgical - pallidotomy for refractory cases
40% of patients being treated for parkinsons end up getting pscyhotic symptoms.. What do you do when patients on parkinsons treatment get psychotic symptoms?
add an antipsychotic.
The best antipscyhotic to use in these patients is QUETIAPINE.. because it has the lowest incidence of extrapyramidal effects
The WRONG answer is stopping the parkinsons drugs.
Huntingtons
- Emotional Lability (the highs are too high.. and the lows are too low)
- Choreiform movement disorders (dance like movement)
- Dementia
Caused by CAG repeats
Treatment:
for the movement the treatment is Tetrabenazine
no cure or treatment for the actual disease itself
Seen in 40-50 year olds
what if you have huntingtions and give a child up for adoption?
The adoption seal can be broken and the adopted child should be notified
Tourettes syndrome
tics, grunts, coprollalia
treatment = antipsychotics
- haloperidol
- ziprasidone
- risperidone
what do you give for spastic bladder causing urge incontincence
Anticholinergics:
- Oxybutinin
- Tolterodine
- Trospium
- Solifenacin
what do you give for an a-tonic bladder –> leading to urinary retention?
give cholinergics
Bethanechol
what is intranuclear opthalmoplegia?
Disease of the MLF.
Presentation:
lets say you are trying to look to the right. one eye will not be able to cross the midline. the 2nd eye will have horizontal nystagmus (going back and forth).
very commonly seen in multiple sclerosis
multiple sclerosis.
Symptoms:
- spasticity - pain
- loss of motor or sensory in diff parts of the body at diff times.
- overactive bladder or urinary retention.
- intranuclear opthalmoplegia
BIT and MAT = MRI!! of brain AND spinal cord
2-3% of patients will not have findings on MRI.. for these patients do a spinal tap. On CSF you will see oligo clonal bands = IgG
Treatment:
For individual symptoms the treatment is clear:
for acute exacerbations = High dose corticosteroids
for pain from spasticity = baclofen or tizanidine
For fatigue use amantadine (we dont know why it works but it does)
For flu like symptoms = beta interferon
fingolimod is the ONLY MS drug that is oral.. all the others are injection.
*symptoms can get worse in hot temperatures.. patients who move to hot areas will have exacerbation of symptoms
ALS
LMN findings = weakness &
wasting of muscle, fasiculations.
Has Upper motor neuron findings as well - this is what distinguishes it from charcot marie tooth
NO SENSORY DISTURBANCE
Hyper reflexia - elevated DTRs
spasticity –> causes the pain in ALS
what stays intact in ALS?
EVERYTHING except for motor function.
treatment = Riluzole.. prevents progression of ALS.
Charcot Marie Tooth
LMN findngs = weakness &
wasting of muscle, tremor (not fasiculations).
Effects mostly the Lower extremities.
How is it diff from ALS? ALS also has upper motor neuron findings.. Charcot Marie tooth does NOT.
Also charcot marie tooth has sensory disturbance. ALS does NOT
Hyporeflexia - Decreased DTRs
mononeuritis multiplex vs peripheral neuropathy
peripheral neuropathy is caused by things like:
vincrsitine, b12 deficency, alcohol and it affects nerves that are so small they dont have names.. treated with:
Pregablin / gabapentin / TCAs or 2nd line = antiseizure meds (phenytoin / valproic acid).
Mononeuritis multiplex is on large nerves that do have names (Radial / ulnar, tarsal, peroneal).. usually caused by trauma or vasculitis.. in vasculitis.. the vaso nervosrum is inflammed (the blood vessels surrounding nerves) this leads to the nerves being squeezed by the vessels.
For these diseases NEVER DO and MRI (USMLE question).. it doesnt help.
carpal tunnel
causes: hypothyroid pregnancy acromegally amyloidosis
Treatment:
1st line - splint
if that doesnt work steroids
if that doesnt work surgery
radial nerve and peroneal nerve injury
radial nerve injury - foot drop
peroneal nerve injury - foot drop
Tarsal tunnel - same thing as carpal tunnel.. but this one is the tarsal nerve and in the foot.
carpal tunnel is the median nerve in the hand.
7th CN palsy
upper and lower face palsy.
why do you get corneal ulcerations in 7th CN palsy?
because the 3rd CN opens the eye.. but the 7th closes it. In facial nerve palsy (7th CN) you cant close the eye.. it stays open and ulcerates.
they will also here soft noises very loudly. The stapedius which is the shock absorbed for the ear drum is controlled by the 7th CN.. when this is paralyzed.. soft noises become very loud.
treatment = steroids
Gullian Barre
caused by DEMYELINATION of PERIPHERAL nerve fibers. Motor nerves are most commonly affected but SENSORY and AUTONOMIC nerves may also be involved.
two things:
- ascending weakness
- loss of reflexes
the only other disease on earth that does this is - Polio.. eradicated in most of the world.
what is the MAT?
nerve conduction studies
Treatment:
IVIG / plasmapheresis
NEVER GIVE STEROIDS HERE!!!
what is the most important test to do on someone coming in with GBS syptoms: check respiratory function with one of the 3 tests:
- PFTs
- FVC
- Peak INSPIRATORY pressure.
Myasthenia Gravis
double vision and decreased ability to chew.
BIT = AcH receptor antibodies
if AcH receptor antibodies are absent then do the Anti-MusK –> this is also specific to Myasthenia gravis
MAT = single fiber electromyography
Best treatment:
Pyrdiostigmine and Neostigmine –> these are both achesterase inhibitors –increases available AcH.
If youre under 70:
Thymectomy results in 70% improvement (not making antibodies anymore).
If youre above 70.. youre too old for thymectomy so we will give these patients anti-immune drugs:
1. myclophenelate
cyclosporine
azathrioprine
Durring myasthenic crisis use EITHER:
IVIG or plasmapheresis NOT BOTH.
if someone comes in with myasthenic symptoms what are the 2 things you want to screen for?
- Aminoglycosides –> these are the only drugs in the world that can mimic myasthenic symptoms.
- Thymoma –> cancer.. of thymus do CHEST CT!!
what is the side effects of achesterase inhibitors?
too much ach = fluids everywhere
salivation / lacrimation / diarrhea
Glycopyrolate –> this drug specifically will block muscuranic receptors in the mouth to prevent salivation. this is given to counteract some of the adverse effects of pyridostigmine / neostigmine.
alzheimers
Treat by increasing Ach:
- Donepzil
- Rivastigmine
- Galantamine
Memantine - preserves cell
Crutzfelt Jacob Disease
suspect in patients 50-70 who present with Rapidly progressive dementia and MYOCLONIC Jerks.. Patients eventually lose the ability to move and speak and become comatose.
Negative MRI Negative LP (no infection)
must have 2 out of 4 clinical features:
- Myoclonus
- Akinetic mutism
- Cerebellar or visual disturbance
- Pyramidal / extra-pyramidal dysfunction (hypokinesia)
- Periodic sharp wave complexes on EEG and / or positive 14-3-3- CSF assay.
Definitive diagnosis is with above features + brain biopsy (gold standard) or demonstrated PRNP gene mutations.
Brain biopsy = MAT
14-3-3- protein will be found in CSF on LP.. this will spare you from having to do a brain biopsy.
There is no treatment.
Lewy Body dementia
vivid hallucinations (very detailed random hallucination) + Parkinson symptoms
at autopsy you will see “eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions” representing accumulations of ALPHA SYNUCLEIN PROTEIN - may be seen in neurons of the SUBSTANTIA NIGRA.
Treatment for LEWY BODY DEMENTIA =
Carbidopa - levodopa for parkinsonism and CHOLINESTERASE inhibitors for cognitive impairment
If psychotic symptoms persist then add a SECOND gen antipsychotic (not first gen because, first gen will cause more neuroleptic symptoms)
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
wet
wacky
wobbly
Will show up on CT scan
Shunt these patients.
huntingtons
emotional lability
choreiform movements
Treat movement disorder with TETRABENZINE!!
which drugs can potentiate the effects of warfarin thus possibly leading to intracranial bleeds?
Normal INR for healthy people 1.1.
Normal INR for pepople being treated for a-fib etc. = 2-3.
INRs above this are supratheraputic and can lead to bleeds
Acetaminophen and phenylephrine both potentiate the anticoagulation effects of warfarn and can lead to bleeding.
Patients with warfarin associated intracerebral hemorrhage must have their anticoagulation reversed IMMEDIATLEY:
- Initial therapy is IV Vitamin K which has sustained response but takes 12-24 hurs to be effective (promotes clotting factor synthesis in liver).
- Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) should also be provided as it contains vitamin k dependent clotting factors 2,7,9,10 - which offeres rapid (within minutes) reversal of warfarin .. but only lasts for hours.. so need to make sure you give vita K also.
If PCC is not available you can use fresh frozen plasma.
syringiomyelia
disruption of csf drainage from the central canal of spinal cord leading to fluid filled caivty that compresses surrounding neural tissue.
Most common cause is usually a MVA. SYmptoms normally develop months to years later!
Damage most often is seen in spinothalamic (pain and temp) tract and upper extremity motor fibers, due to their medial locations around the central canal.
Will see upper extremity weakness and loss of pain and temp (cape like distribution).
will have preserved dorsal column function (light touch, vibration, position)
definitive diagnosis - MRI
botulism
descending progression of weakness
Fetal Alcohol syndrome
Leading cause of preventable birth defects.
Facial Dysmorphisms in FAS:
- Small palpebral fissures
- Smooth philtrum (vertical groove above upper lip)
- Thin vermilion border
height / weight / growth is compromised usaully below 10th% for age and sex.
microcephaly often present
cognitive and behavioral disorders:
- intellectual disability
- adhd
- social withdrawl
- delays in motor and language
Down syndrome
MCC gentic cause of developmental delay face: 1. flat facial profile 2. slanted palpebral fissures 3. small low set ears
Body:
- excessive skin at nape of neck
- Single transverse palmar crease
- clinodactyly
- large space between the first 2 toes
fragile x syndrome
most common x-linked inherited cause of intellectual disablity
CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in FMR1 gene
face:
- long narrow face
- prominent forehead and chin
- large ears
- macrocephaly
Body:
1. macroorchidism
CMV
MCC congential viral infection and can cause developmental delay but also causes:
- sensorineural deafness
- blindness
- jaundice
- hepatosplenomegaly
- petechiae
hypoplastic fingers / nails and cleft palate are classic physical findings seen where?
fetal hydantoin syndrome - moms on phenytoin
congenital rubella
developmental delay +
- sensorineural deafness
- cataracts
- hepatosplenomegaly
- purpura
what is the largest risk factor for stroke?
HYPERTENSION!!
patients with HTN have 4x risk of stroke compared with normotensive patients.
hypertension increases the risk of stroke more than any other risk factor including hypercholestrolemia, diabetes, smoking, family history and sedentary lifestyle.
mild or moderate alochol consumption (1-2 drinks daily) reduces the risk of stroke
Single brain abscess
A single brain abscess in a non - HIV patient is usually the result of direct extension from an adjacent tissue infection (otits media, sinusitis, dental infection).
The 2 most commonly isolated organisms are:
- Staph Aureus
- Strep viridans
Brain imaging is first step –> CT scan or MRI. Initially will be normal but 1-2 weeks later the infection consolidates to a RING ENHANCING LESION with central NECROSIS.
Diagnosis requires BIOPSY (CT guided).
Empiric antibiotics with MEtro, Ceftriaxone and Vanc).
Also can be a neoplasm (lymphoma / blioblastoma) - These also present as a SINGLE RING ENHANCING lesion
Herpes encephalitis
acute symptoms of AMS, focal deficits and / or focal seizures. CT scan of the brain reveals HYPODENSE lesions in the temporal lobe. Ring enhancement is very uncommon.
HIV pt with ring enhancing lesion on CT
Nocardia - seen with CD4 <100
Toxoplasma - seen with CD4 <100
Absence seizures vs Inattentive staring spells
Absence seizures:
these are generalized seizures and are characterized by sudden impairment of consciousness in children 4-10 y/o.
- Occur during all activities
- relatively short .. less than 20 seconds.
- lack of response to vocal or tactile stimulation
- presence of automatisms (eye lid fluttering, lip smacking)
- NO loss of postural tone.
Absence seizures can be provoked by HYPERVENTILATION and are diagnosed via EEG –> characteristic 3-hz spike-wave discharge pattern during episodes.
First line treatment - Ethosuximide.
Inattentive Staring Spells:
- occurrence mainly during boring activities.
- variable length, often more than 1 min.
- respond to vocal or tactile stimulation
- lack of automatism
Babinksi sign
upward deviation of the great toe when the sole of the foot is stroked –> evidence of hyperreflexia and suggests Upper motor neuron lesion.
Alcoholic cerebellar degeneration
- progressive gait dysfunction
- turncal ataxia
- nystagmus
- intention tremor or dysmetria (tremor when attempting to touch a target)
- impaired rapid alternating movements (dysdidadochokinesia)
- may have muscle hypotonia leading to a pendular knee reflex (swinging more than 4 times is abnormal)
- Encephalopathy
- Ocular Dysfunction
- Gait ataxia
wernicke encephalopathy
Always give Thiamine first, before glucose!
Slurred speech, ataxia, HYPOtension, depressed mental status.
Benzo Overdose
Flumazenil is a competitive antagonist of the GABA / Benzo receptor.
Alzheimers disease
Starts with MEMORY symptoms before anything else (anterograde memory loss - forming new memories, immediate recall).. distant memories are preserved.
Later findings include:
- personality and behavioral changes (apathy, agitation).
- neruopsych changes (delusions, paranoia)
- neuro manifestations (myoclonus, seizures)
- Apraxia (difficulty with motor tasks)
- Urinary incontinence.
Alzheimers disease’
This is the most common cause of dementia in the U.S.