Neurology Flashcards
What are the clinical features of internal capsule and corticospinal tract lesions?
UMN signs
Contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss
What are the clinical features of spinal cord lesions?
LMN signs at the level of the lesion
UMN signs below the lesion
Sensory level
What do the internal carotid arteries supply?
Anterior 2/3 cerebral hemisphere
Basal ganglia
What do the anterior cerebral arteries supply?
Front and middle cerebrum
Occlusion - contralateral leg weakness
What do the middle cerebral arteries supply?
Lateral part of hemisphere
Occlusion - contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss
Dominant - homonymous hemianopia
Non-dominant - visuospatial disturbance
What do the posterior cerebral arteries supply?
Occipital lobe
Occlusion - contralateral homonymous hemianopia
What are the red flags for headache?
Papilloedema, visual field loss
6th nerve palsy, tender temples
Focal neurology
Purpuric rash
What are the treatments for migraine?
- Triptan + NSAID + paracetamol, anti-emetic
2. Prophylactic topiramate propranolol
What are the treatments for cluster headaches?
O2 therapy + nasal triptan
Prophylactic verapamil
What are some contraindications to triptans?
IHD, TIA, CVA
What are the criteria for prophylactic migraine treatment?
1 of: Quality of life severely affected More than 2 attacks per month Does not respond to acute drugs Frequent/long/uncomfortable auras
What are the clinical features of extradural haematomas?
Arterial bleed - often middle meningeal artery
Lucid interval after initial event
Crescent shaped opacity on scan
What are the clinical features of subdural haematomas?
Venous bleed - can occur after trivial injury
Increased risk in elderly and alcoholics
Fluctuating levels of consciousness
What are the clinical features of trigeminal neuralgia?
Paroxysms of stabbing pain in trigeminal distribution
Washing, shaving, eating, talking
MRI to exclude secondary cause
What are the clinical features of a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Thunderclap headache
Vomiting, collapse, seizures
Usually due to rupture of berry aneurysm
Urgent CT, if negative do LP
What are the features of temporal lobe seizures?
Automatisms - lip smaking/fiddling Dysphagia Deja-vu Emotional disturbance Hallucinations
What are the features of frontal seizures?
Motor features e.g. posturing
Post-ictal Todd’s palsy
What is the treatment for absence seizures?
Sodium valproate
Ethosuximide
What is the treatment for tonic-clonic seizures?
Sodium valproate
Lamotrigine
What is the treatment for myoclonic seizures?
Sodium valproate
Levetriacetam
What are the clinical features and treatment of Bell’s palsy?
Abrupt onset, complete unilateral facial palsy
Prednisolone in within 72 hours onset
Artificial tears, tape eye closed at night
What are the clinical features and treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Shingles of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve
Painful vesicular rash on auditory canal and eardrum
Ipsilateral facial palsy, loss of taste, tinnitus, dry eyes and mouth
Aciclovir and prednisolone
What are the clinical features of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Compression of median nerve
Aching pain in arm and hand
Paraesthesiae in thumb, index and middle finger
Wasting of thenar eminence
What are the clinical features of a radial nerve palsy?
Compression against mid-shaft of humerus
Wrist drop and finger drop
What are the features of an ulnar nerve palsy?
Vulnerable to elbow trauma
Hypothenar wasting
Weak 5th digit abduction