Neurology Flashcards
Describe the typical onset of the various types of Dementia
Alzheimers: Gradual, progressive onset
Vascular: Abrupt (after stroke) or gradual
Lewy body: Insidious onset, progressive with fluctuations
frontotemporal: Insidious onset typically in 50s/60s then rapid progression
Describe the difference of symptoms between the various types of Dementia
Alzheimer’s: memory,language, visuospatial skills, later behavioural signs
Vascular: Focal neuro signs, signs of vascular disease
Lewy body: Visual hallucinations, Parkinsonism signs (tremors, falls, shuffle gait)
Frontotemporal: Disinhibition, poor judgement, decreased motivation, socially inappropriate
What can be seen on CT/MRI in Alzheimers?
1) Beta-amyloid plaques
2) Neurofibrillary tangles
3) Atrophy
What may be seen on imaging of Frontotemporal?
- Frontal/temporal atrophy
- Picks cells
What may be seen on imaging of Vascular Dementia?
1) changes in blood vessels and vascular infarcts
What may be seen on imaging of Lewy body dementia?
Lewy bodies in cortex of midbrain
Generalised atrophy
Treatment of Alzheimers?
Donepazil (cholinesterase inhibitors)
Memantine
Treat depression, aggression/agitation
Treatment of Lewy body dementia?
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Memantine
Levodopa
Physiotherapy
Where do you test sensation in the following dermatomes on the arm?
C5-T2
C5 - Over deltoid
C6 - index finger
C7 - middle finger
C8 - little finger
T1 - inside arm
T2 - apex of axilla
Where do you test sensation in the following dermatomes on the leg?
L2-S2
L2 - anterior medial thigh
L3 - over knee
L4 - medial tibia
L5 - dorsum of foot running to big toe
S1 - lateral heel
S2 - popliteal fossa
Where do you test movement in the following myotomes on the arm?
C5-T1
C5 - shoulder abduction
C6 - elbow flexion
C7 - elbow extension
C8 - finger flexion
T1 - finger abduction
Where do you test movement in the following myotomes on the leg?
L2-S2
L2- Hip flexion
L3- Knee extension
L4- Ankle dorsiflexion
L5- Extension of big toe
S1- Ankle plantar flexion
S2- Knee flexion
What muscles do the radial nerve innervate?
Triceps and finger extensors
What muscles do the median nerve innervate?
LOAF
Lateral 2 lumbricals
Oppenens brevis
Abductor pollicis brevis
Flexor pollicis brevis
What muscles do the ulnar nerve innervate?
Intrinsic muscles of the hand, lumbricals, hypothenar and interossei
What nerve is responsible for:
Finger flexion?
Finger extension?
Finger abduction?
Median
Radial
Ulnar
What is the most common winged scapula nerve lesion?
Long thoracic nerve (serratus anterior)
What nerve is responsible for the following movements?
knee extension
knee flexion
ankle dorsiflexion
Big toe extension
ankle plantar flexion
knee extension - femoral L3
knee flexion - sciatic/tibial L5, S1/2
ankle dorsiflexion - peroneal L4
Big toe extension - peroneal L5
ankle plantar flexion - tibial S1
Name some foot drop differentials?
Muscle: myopathy
Nerve: peroneal nerve, sciatic nerve
Root: L4/5
Anterior horn: MND
Brain: parasaggital mengingioma
Which lobe is Brocas area in and what is its function?
region in the frontal lobe of the dominant hemisphere, usually the left, of the brain with functions linked to speech production
Which lobe is Wernicke’s area in and what is its function?
located in the temporal lobe on the left side of the brain and is responsible for the comprehension of speech
Difference in signs between Epidural and Subdural Haematoma?
Epidural = rapidly expanding with arterial blood (middle meningeal)
LUCID INTERVAL - patient feels better for a small while due to the way it ‘holds’ the blood
extra-dural haematoma is lentiform like a lemon
Subdural = slowly expanding with venous blood (bridging veins), fluctuating consciousness
subdural haematoma is sickle shaped like a banana
How do subdural and epidural haematomas look on CT?
Epidural - lemon (biconvex)
Subdural - banana (biconcave)
What are Kernigs and Brudzinkis sign?
- Kernig’s (inability to straighten knee when hip flexed 90 degrees)
- Brudzinski’s- neck stiffness - flex neck and knee+hip flex too
How is MS diagnosed?
presence of multiple CNS lesions, which cause symptoms that:
- Last longer than 24 hours
- Are disseminated in space (clinically or on MRI)
- Are disseminated in time (>1 month apart)
What may be the first manifestation of MS?
Optic Neuritis - inflammation of optic nerve - reduced visual acuity
What is Lhermitte’s phenomenon?
Neck flexion brings on a sudden sensation of an electric shock running down your spine
Sign of MS
What is Uhthoffs phenomenon?
Temporary worsening of symptoms caused by an increase in temperature
(e.g. - MS patient in hot bath)
Typical MS symptoms?
Visual loss (Optic neuritis) Pyramidal weakness, spastic paraparesis Sensory disturbance Cerebellar symptoms (nystagmus / vertigo / tremor /ataxia / dysarthria) Bladder involvement / sexual dysfunction Lhermitte’s & Uhthoff’s phenomenon Fatigue Cognitive impairment
Typical Giant Cell Arteritis features?
Jaw claudication Scalp/ temporal tenderness Double vision Severe and frequent Headaches Fatigue Weight Loss Anaemia
How is GCA diagnosed?
Temporal artery biopsy
High ESR
Temporal tenderness
New onset localised headache
Types of MS?
1) Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
2) Relapsing- remitting
3) Primary progressive
4) Secondary progressive
What is Clinically Isolated Syndrome?
First episode of MS characteristics that must last 24 hours.
first attack of demyelination
A diagnosis of MS can be made afterwards if the MRI shows lesions similar to those of MS
What is Secondary Progressive MS?
SPMS follows relapsing remitting. Relapsing remitting will transition into progressive worsening of neurological functioning
What is Primary Progressive MS?
Worsening of neurological functioning from the onset of symptoms, without early relapses or remissions
15% of diagnosis