Neurology Flashcards
Name some causes of cerebellar lesions?
MS, tumour, abscess, haemorrhage, chronic alcohol use
What is bells palsy?
LMN lesion affecting facial nerve (usually caused by HSV)
Features of bells palsy?
LMN weakness of the face, loss of taste on anterior 2/3 tongue, hyperacusis, decreased tear production
Mx of bells palsy?
close eyelids with tape, prednisolone
What causes a stroke?
cerebral infarction due to embolism or thrombosis (at site of atheromatous plaque)
What is a TIA?
transient episode of neurological deficit caused by brain/SC/retinal infarction. This is usually caused by microemboli
Symptoms of a stroke by anatomy?
ACA: leg > arm
MCA: arm > leg, facial weakness, controlateral homonymous hemianopia
PCA: visual agnosia
Ix for a TIA/stroke
imaging: head CT, doppler US of the carotid
Bloods: FBC, UE, LFT, ESR, CRP, glucose, lipids
ECG
What is the risk score for Rx of a stroke following a TIA?
ABCD2
Age >60, BP > 140/90, clinical features, duration of TIA, T2DM
RF prevention following a stroke/TIA?
statin, aspirin 75mg daily, control BP
Mx of a patient presenting with a TIA/stroke?
- Aspirin 300mg (continue then as 75mg daily)
- Thrombolysis (IV alteplase) given within 4.5hrs of onset of a stroke
- control HTN
What causes a SAH?
rupture of berry aneurysm, congenital AVM
Features of SAH rupture?
thunderclap headache in the occipital region, vomiting, meningial irritation, loss of consciousness, focal neuro signs, pappilodoema
Ix of a SAH?
CT head, LP (shows increased oxybilirubin released from lysis), MR angiography
Mx of a SAH?
bed rest, supportive measures, Nimodipine, give IV normal saline
What is a SDH and what causes it?
blood in the subdural space following the rupture of a saggital vein due to a minor head trauma. increased Rx in the elderly and alcoholics (atrophic brains)
What is epilepsy?
the tendancy to have seizures (seizures are convulsions or transient abnormal events caused by paroxysmal discharge of cerebral neurones
What is a simple and complex partial seizure?
simple - only affect one part of the brain, and do not affect consciousness or memory
Complex - affect awareness or memory during/immediately after seizure
Ix for epilepsy?
CT head, determine seizure type, EEG with camera footage.
How do you manage status epilepticus?
General: O2, IV access, IV thiamine, monitor sats
- Lorazepam IV (repeat after 10 minutes) - monitor respiratory rate (causes depression)
- Phenytoin IV - ECG monitoring due to arrhythmias
- Phenobarbitol
Name some anti-epilpetic drugs and their side effects
Sodium Valproate - weight gain, hair loss, liver damage
Lamotrigine - TEN
Carbamezepine - rashes, leucopenia, TEN
Pathological process in Parkinson’s disease?
depletion of dopamine-secreting cells in the substantia nigra. These neurones project to striatum and neural circuits in the basal ganglia movement pathways.
Name the main features of Parkinson’s?
- TREMOR - 4-7Hz resting tremor (pin rolling of the thumb), improves with voluntary movement
- RIGIDITY - increased tone in limbs and trunk, limbs resist passive extension (lead pipe rigidity)
- AKINESIA - difficulty initiating movement, face expressionless, speech slow
- SHUFFLING GAIT - characteristic stoop, poor balance .
Non motor - depression, hallucinations, dementia, impulsive behaviours, insomnia, drooling saliva, dysphagia
Ix for Parkinson’s?
head CT, diagnosis is clinical
Name some treatments for parkinson’s plus drug names and side effets?
- Levodopa (L dopa = dopamine agonist, peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor = carbidopa) - SE = nausea
- Dopamine agonist - Ropinirole SE = impulse issues
- Monoamine oxidase B inhibitor e.g Selegiline
What are the chemical changes in the brain in Hungington’s?
reduced GABA and ACh, dopamine is spared
What is MS?
autoimmune disorder of the CNS creating plaques of demyelination within the brain in SC which are disseminated in time and place. there are 2+ distinct clinical episodes of CNS dysfunction with periods of remission. Inflammation mediated by CD4 cells