Neurology Flashcards
Define Ataxia
Abnormality in gait that is wide based/staggering/unsteady
Give three causes of Ataxia in children
Posterior fossa tumours
Brainstem Encephalitis
Friedreich’s Ataxia
Give four other clinical features that might be associated with a presentation of Ataxia
Increased separation of speech syllables
Abnormal Proprioception
Positive Romberg
Nystagmus
How could you investigate Ataxia in a child?
Cerebral Imaging
Plasma and CSF samples (particularly for Varicella, Strep, and Inborn Errors of Metabolism)
What is Chorea? Give four causes
Jerk like movements that may involve face/arms/legs
Drugs (anticonvulsants), SLE, Sydenhams Chorea, Benign Familial
What is Sydenham’s Chorea?
Chorea often associated with streptococcal infection, occurring in older children
Child is normally well
20% Rheumatic Fever
How is Syndehams Chorea managed?
High dose Pen V then daily prophylaxis
If IEM is excluded, then start Sodium Valproate
Can give Benzodiazepines/Haloperidol as symptom management
What is PANDAS?
Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus
How does PANDAS present?
OCD
Tics
Irritability
Anxiety
Define Athetosis
Sinuous, slow, involuntary writhing movements affecting fingers/hands/toes/feet
Name three causes of Athetosis
Asphyxia
Neonatal Jaundice
Trauma
How is Athetosis managed?
Diazepam/Haloperidol
Surgery and restraining technique
What is Primary Pure Dystonia?
Autosomal Dominant dystonic spasms of legs on walking
Progresses to whole body within ten years
What are Tics?
Repetitive stereotyped movements that can be initiated voluntarily and also suppressed voluntarily
Can be simple (twitch in same site, occurring in 25%) or complex (multiple tics, associated with tourettes)
What could the term ‘floppy’ mean?
Decrease in muscle tone
Decrease in muscle power
Ligamentous laxity/increased ROM
Define Hypotonia
Low resistance to passive stretch around the joint
What is Phasic Tone?
Response of muscles to rapid stretch
What is Postural Tone?
Response to sustained low intensity stretch
What in their antenatal history would you want to know about a ‘Floppy Infant’?
Reduced foetal movements
Polyhydramnios
Breech
What in their family history would you want to know about a ‘Floppy Infant’?
Muscle Disease
Stillbirth
Consanguinity
What in their birth history would you want to know about a ‘Floppy Infant’?
Duration of labour Method of delivery Rescucitation Apgar Score Cord Gases
What associated features might you see in a ‘Floppy Infant’?
Poor swallowing
Weak Cry
Paradoxical Breathing (intercostal muscles paralysed but intact diaphragm)
If the cause of the ‘Floppy Infant’ was central/UMN, how would it present?
Poor truncal tone
Normal reflexes
Loud cry
If the cause of the ‘Floppy Infant’ was Peripheral/LMN, how would it present?
Frog like posture
Reduced/Absent reflexes
Weak Cry
Describe three central causes of the ‘Floppy Infant’
Dysgenesis - Downs Syndrome, Prader Willi
Degeneration - Metabolic Disorders, Enzyme Disorders (eg Tay Sachs)
Encephalopathy (HIE, ICH, Congenital or Acquired infections)
Give 5 classes of non central causes of the ‘Floppy Infant’
Spinal Cord (Syringomyelia, Birth Trauma)
Anterior Horn (SMA, Poliomyelitis)
Peripheral Nerve (Guillaine Barre, Hereditary - Charcot Marie Tooth)
Neuromuscular Junction (Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis, Infantile Botulism)
Muscle (Muscular Dystrophy, Metabolic Myopathies, Congenital Myopathies)
How can you investigate central causes of the ‘Floppy Infant’?
Range of bloods Sepsis screen Plasma Amino Acids Cranial Ultrasound and MRI Microarray LP
How can you investigate peripheral causes of the ‘Floppy Infant’?
CK
Muscle Biopsy
Microarray
Conduction studies
Name 7 causes of headaches in children
Tension Migraines ENT Infection Vision Problems Raised ICP Meningitis Brain Tumours
How do young children with tension headaches present?
Non Specific
Quiet
Stop Playing
Turn Pale
How do older children with tension headaches present?
Mild ache across forehead in band like pattern
Gradual onset and resolution with no pulsing/visual changes
Migraines are a complex condition that causes headache attacks and other symptoms. Name five different types.
Migraine without aura Migraine with aura Silent migraine Hemiplegic Abdominal
How do Migraines present?
Unilateral, throbbing headache
Associated - visual aura, photophobia, nausea and vomiting
If Migraines are impacting on QoL, what drugs can you prevent them with?
Propanolol (avoided in Asthma)
Pizotifen (Drowsiness)
Topirimate (Teratogenic - COCP required)
Abdominal Migraines may be the start of traditional migraines developing when they’re older. How do they present?
Episodes of central abdominal pain lasting for more than one hour, with associated Nausea and Vomiting/Anorexia/Headache/Pallor
How are Abdominal Migraines managed?
Pizotifen, Sumatriptans
Avoid Caffiene/Cheese/Marmite
Give three causes of Focal Seizures
Cortical Dysplasia
Trauma
Tumour
Temporal lobe is the most common type of focal epilepsy. How can it present?
Odd Smell/Sensation
Deja Vu
Repetitive Automatisms
How do Frontal Lobe Seizures present?
- Often night waking
- Thrashing and Bicycle Movements
- Jacksonian March (movements travelling proximally)
- Tonic arms raised in air
How do Occipital Lobe Seizures present?
Often mistaken for migraines
Flickering light, Visual Hallucinations
How do Parietal Lobe tumours present?
Tingling in hands/feet
Body image distortion
Generalised seizures occur in both hemispheres. How does an Absence Seizure present?
Generally starts between age of 4-7 and resolves in adolescence
<10seconds unresponsive
Occasional Automatisms
Triggered by hyperventilation
Generalised seizures occur in both hemispheres. How does an Myoclonic Seizures present?
Jerking Movements with retained conscious
Child may require helmet
What is Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy?
Seizures + Unsteadiness+ Rigidity + Mental Deterioration
Ohtahara Syndrome is a cause of seizures in the first 28d of life. How does it present?
Primary tonic seizures occuring in the first two weeks
Caused by metabolic disorders or brain damage
Often die within weeks/months
Benign Familial Seizures is a cause of seizures in the first 28d of life. How does it present?
Recurrent seizures in newborns lasting one to two minutes
Usually stops at four months old
Give two causes of INFANTILE seizures
West Syndrome (Jerking followed by stiffening, often due to Hypoxic birth injury)
Dravet Syndrome (Sodium Channel Mutation)
Give four Neurological causes of Seizures
Rett Syndrome
Angelman Syndrome
Tuberous Sclerosis
Sturge Weber (Port Wine Stain)
Define Epilepsy
Umbrella term for condition where there is a tendency to have seizures (transient episodes of abnormal electrical activity)
How does a Generalised Tonic Clonic Seizure present?
Loss of consciousness then tonic clonic movements
Associated tongue biting, incontinence, irregular breathing
Post Ictal - Prolonged drowsiness, confusion, irritability
How are Generalised Tonic Clonic seizures managed?
1st line - Sodium Valproate
2nd line - Lamotrigine or Carbemazepine
How are Focal Seizures managed?
1st line - Lamotrigine/Carbemazepine
2nd line - Sodium Valproate
IE opposite to generalised tonic Clonic
How are Absence Seizures managed?
Typically grow out of them
1st line - Sodium Valproate or Ethosuxamide
What are Atonic Seziures?
AKA Drop Attacks
Brief lapses in muscle tone, normally not lasting longer than 3 minutes
No post ictal drowsiness
Describe the typical EEG of childhood absence seizures
3Hz spike and wave
How are Myoclonic Seizures managed?
First line - Sodium Valproate
Second line - Lamotrigine/Topirimate
How is Infantile Spasms/West Syndrome managed?
Prednisolone and Vigabatrin
How is Epilepsy investigated?
EEG (after SECOND tonic Clonic seizure)
Bloods/LP/Cultures
ECG
When would you do an MRI brain in Epilepsy?
If the first seizure is when they’re <2
Focal Seizures
No response to antiepileptic medication
What general advice should be given to epileptic children? Give four points
Take showers rather than baths
Be cautious with swimming
Be cautious with heights and traffic
Older teenagers may need to avoid driving
Describe Sodium Valproate’s MOA
Increases GABA Activity
Name three side effects of Sodium Valproate
Teratogenic
Hepatitis
Tremor
Name two side effects of Carbemazepine
Agranulocytosis
CYP inducer
Describe Carbemazepine’s MOA
Sodium Channel Blocker
State three side effects of Phenytoin
Folate deficiency
Vit D Deficiency
Osteomalacia
State two side effects of Ethosuxamide
Night terrors
Rashes
State two side effects of Lamotrigine
Steven Johnson Syndrome
Leucopenia
How should you manage an acute seizure in the community?
Recovery position with soft item under head
Note start and end of seizure
Call an ambulance if first episode or lasts more than five minutes
Define Status Epilepticus
Seizures lasting >5 minutes, or >3 in an hour
How is Status Epilepticus managed in hospital?
A to E approach
IV Lorazepam
Secure airway
If persists - IV Phenytoin
How should Status Epilepticus be managed in the community?
A to E approach
Buccal Midazolam or Rectal Diazepam
What is an Extradural Haemorrhage?
Collection of blood in potential space between dura and skull
Normally a venous bleed in children
Typically caused by trauma to temple
How does an Extradural Haemorrhage present in a child?
Headache
Nausea and Vomiting
Lucid Interval until consciousness deteriorates
May experience seizures
How should Extradural haemorrhages be investigated?
Head CT
How should an Extradural Haemorrhage be managed?
A to E
Small bleed - conservative
Raised ICP - Mannitol, Burr Holes
> 30cm2 bleed - Surgical Evacuation
The prognosis of Extradural haemorrhage in children is excellent. Name two complications.
Neurological deficits
Post traumatic seizures
Define Migraine
Recurrent headache occurring with or without aura, lasting from 30 minutes to 48 hours
A Basilar Migraine is a type of migraine. What is it associated with?
Dizziness
Syncope
Childhood Periodic Syndromes are commonly migraine precursors. Name three.
Cyclical Vomiting (intense vomiting at night) Abdominal Migraine BPPV
Describe the aura of a migraine
Can be visual, sensory, cognitive or motor
Aura may be more distressing than the headache itself
When does a Migraine require further investigation?
Neurological abnormalities
Seizure history
Head trauma
What drugs can be used in an Acute Migraine
Simple Analgesia
Sumatriptans (only if over 6y and simple is ineffective)
Domperidone/Prochlorperazine
Define Muscular Dystrophy
Umbrella term for genetic conditions causing gradual wasting and weakness of muscles
What is Gower’s Sign?
Children with proximal muscle weaknessGet on their hands and knees, push hips back and up, then walk hands up legs in order to stand
Due to weakness of pelvic muscles
The most well known Muscular Dystrophy is Duchennes. Describe the pathophysiology
X Linked defective gene for Dystrophin, which normally connects muscular cytoskeleton to ECM
Results in myofibre necrosis
Name four presenting features of Duchennes MD
Waddling Gait
Language Delay
Gowers Sign
Pseudo Hypertrophy of Calves (muscle replaces with fat and subcut tissue)
What is the prognosis of Muscular Dystrophy?
Usually wheelchair bound by teenage years
Life expectancy 25-35
How is Duchennes MD managed?
Oral steroids to slow progression
Creatine supplements
Physiotherapy
May require overnight CPAP
Ataluren
How does Ataluren work for MD?
Skips non sense mutations allowing production of small amounts of dystrophin
What is Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy?
Similar mutation to Duchennes, but some dystrophin is produced
How does Becker’s MD vary from Duchennes?
Clinical course is less predictable
Symptoms start at 8-12y
Patients may require wheelchair in late 20s to 30s
What is Myotonic Dystrophy?
Genetic disorder that normally presents in adulthood
Progressive muscular weakness and prolonged muscle contractions (unable to let go after shaking hand)
Associated cataracts and cardiac arrhythmias
What is Fascioscapulohumeral MD?
Presents in childhood with weakness around the face progressing to shoulders and arms
Initial signs - sleeping with eyes open, weakness in pursing lips, unable to blow out cheeks
What is Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy?
Usually presents into late adulthood
Weakness of ocular muscles and pharynx
Bilateral ptosis, restricted eye movements, swallowing problems
What is Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy?
Presents in teenage years with progressive weakness around limb girdle
What is Emery Dreifuss MD?
Contracture occurring at elbows and ankles
A raised ICP is a pressure above 20mmHg. Describe the normal ranges in infants, young children and older children respectively
Infants - 1.5 to 6
Young - 3 to 7
Older - 10 to 15
What is the Monroe Doctrine?
An increase in any constituents of the brain will cause a compensatory decrease in others in order to maintain ICP
Constituents being blood, CSF and brain tissue
Give five causes of raised ICP?
Masses Haemorrhage Impaired CSF flow Meningitis Reyes Syndrome
In raised ICP, herniation can occur. State the three different types.
Subfalcine (cingulate gyrus displaced under falx, may compress ACA)
Tentorial (medial temporal lobe under tentorium cerebelli)
Tonsillar (cerebellar tonsils through foramen magnum, can compress respiratory centres)
Describe five classical features of raised ICP
Headache worse on waking Vomiting Visual Disturbance Change in mood Abnormal Pupils
Note: May be subtle if mild
How does Severely Raised ICP present?
Papilloedema
Sun setting Eyes
Cushing’s Response (bradycardia and hypertension)
Name three red flags with raised ICP
GCS<8
Abnormal respiratory pattern
Abnormal Posture (decorticate, decerebrate)
How is raised ICP managed?
A to E approach and high flow O2
Tilt 20-30 degrees up
Consider Mannitol, Antibacterials, Antivirals
Urgent CT when stable
Define Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Rare autosomal recessive condition that causes progressive loss of motor neurones, leading to muscular weakness
As Spinal Muscular Atrophy affects lower motor neurones, how does it present?
Fasciculations Reduced Muscle Bulk Reduced Tone Reduced Power Reduced reflexes
What are the five types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy?
Type 0 - Prenatal onset, death within 6 months
Type 1 - onset in first few months, progressing to death within 2 years
Type 2 - onset in first 18 months, most never walk but survive into adulthood
Type 3 - onset after first year, walk without support then lose that ability
Type 4 - onset in 20s, able to walk short distances but easily fatigued
Note: in Type 3 and 4 life expectancy is not affected
How is SMA managed?
Supportive only
Physiotherapy
PEG?
May have scoliosis and respiratory failure that needs managing
Give four causes of Spinal Cord Injury in children
Road Traffic Accidents
Breech Delivery
Shoulder Dystocia
Horse Riding
Why are children at risk of Spinal Cord Injury?
Vertebral column is relatively elastic and dura doesn’t provide a lot of mechanical protection
Head is relatively large compared to weak neck
How could Spinal Cord Injury present?
Cervical - Tetraplegia with Sensory Loss
Thoracic - Weak Intercostals, breathing assistance with ventilation required
Lumber and Sacral - Paraplegia and loss of control of bladder/bowel/sexual organs
How should a suspected SCI be investigated
XRay and CT first, if high suspicion then MRI
Beware of SCIWORA due to flexibility of paediatric spine
Describe the Frankel Grading of Spinal Cord Function
A - Complete Paralysis B - Sensory function below injury C - Incomplete motor function below injury D - Good Motor function E - Normal Function
How are Spinal Cord Injuries in children managed?
A to E
Rehab
Corticosteroids to reduce swelling
Name four causes of Subdural Haemorrhage in children
Trauma (inc Birth and NAI)
Cerebral Infections
Coagulation disorders
Hypernatraemia
How does a Subdural Haemorrhage present?
Encephalopathy Vomiting Pallor Tense Fontanelle Seizures
If considering NAI in a Subdural Haemorrhage presentation, what associated features should you look out for?
Retinal Haemorrhages
Skull Fractures that are depressed/branching
How should a Subdural Haemorrhage be investigated?
CT and MRI
Name five potential causes of SAH in children
AV Malformation Cerebral Aneurysm Neoplasms Leukaemia Haemophilia
How does SAH present in <6 month old?
Seizures in 65%
Apnoea, Irritability, Bulging Fontanelle
How does SAH present in >6 month old?
Severe headaches
Seizures
Focal neurology
How should suspected SAH be investigated?
USS in neonates
CT
Clotting
LP - Xanthechromia
How is SAH managed?
Intubation and ventilation as required
Analgesia
Nifedipine (prevents Vasospasm)
Clipping/coiling where appropriate
What is required to diagnose Tension Headaches?
Atleast 10 headaches for 30 minutes of 7 days with atleast two of:
Bilateral Pain
Tightening quality
Not worsened by physical activity
What is a Squint/Strabismus?
Misalignment of the eyes
Images on retina will not match and patient will experience double vision
Describe the physiology of a squint in childhood
Brain copes by reducing signal from less dominant eye, creating dominant eye and lazy eye
If lazy eye is not treated it becomes worse (Amblyopia)
What are concomitant squints?
Differences in control of Extra- Ocular muscles
State the different types of eye movement in Strabismus
Esotropia - Inward moving
Exotropia - Outward moving
Hypertropia - Upward moving
Hypotropia - Downward moving
The cause of Strabismus is normally idiopathic. Describe two tests that can be done OE
Hirschbergs - shine pen torch, reflection should be equal (if not then its a squint)
Cover Test - cover one eye, ask patient to focus on an object then switch cover. If eye moves back in then it was an Exotropia etc
Management of Strabismus needs to start before 8 years while visual field still develops. How is this done?
Occlusive patch over good eye
Atropine drops over good eye
What is a Scotoma?
Defect surrounded by a normal visual field
Can be relative (ie high luminance objects seen) or absolute
What are the five different types of Hemianopia?
Bitemporal Homonymous Altitudinal Quadrantopia Sectoral
What is Glaucoma?
Loss of Optic Nerve axons associated with raises Intraocular Pressure, manifesting in optic disc cupping and visual loss
In children less than 3y the sclera is stretchy so raised IOP causes globular enlargement and corneal blurring
Give three causes of Glaucoma in Children
Congenital
Implicated in Sturge Weber (Port Wine Stain)
Steroid Therapy
How can Glaucoma be managed medically?
Topical Beta Blockers
Topical Prostaglandin Analogues
Topical Miotics
Acetazolamide
Give 5 causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Children
Lesion at Cochlea/Auditory nerve
Genetic
Antenatal (infection, HIE)
Postnatal (Meningitis,Encephalitis, Aminoglycosides)
How is Sensorineural Hearing Loss managed in Children?
Amplification or Cochlear Implant
Give three causes of Conductive Hearing Loss
Glue Ear
Wax
Eustacian Tube Dysfunction (Downs, Cleft Palate)
How is Conductive Hearing Loss managed?
Conservative
Amplification
Grommets
What is Tay Sach’s Disease?
Accumulation of lipids in brain tissue
Associated with: Muscle weakness, Myoclonic jerks, exaggerated startled response, gradual visual deterioration, loss of previously learned skills
Name 5 childhood paroxysmal events that could be mistaken for seizures
Breath Holding Attacks Reflex Asystolic Syncope Migraine BPPV Pseudo seizures
What are Reflex Asystolic Syncope episodes?
Vagally induced cardiac asystole, secondary to cold food/fright/head bump
Child stops breathing, goes limp and blue
Hypoxia may induce Tonic Clonic
How might BPPV present in toddlers?
Pale and frightened
May vomit
Exclude temporal lobe epilepsy
How might Pseudoseizures present?
Typically adolescent girls
Dramatic
Rolling around
Flinging limbs
Gradual onset
West Syndrome is an example of a childhood Seizure Syndrome. How does it present?
Typically onset between 3 and 12 months
Multiple busts of flexor spasms causing distress
Salaam attacks (rapid flexion extension)
Gradually lose skills and develop learning disability
How do Infantile Spasms/West Syndrome present on EEG?
Hypsarrhythmia
Burst supression
Lennox Gastaut Syndrome is an example of a childhood Seizure Syndrome. How does it present?
Can be : Atonic, Absence (with blinking or head nodding) or Tonic (stiffening of arms and legs at night)
Poor neurodevelopment progression
How does Lennox Gastaut Syndrome present on EEG?
Slow generalised spike and wave discharge (1-3 Hz)
Benign Rolandic Epilepsy is an example of a childhood Seizure Syndrome. How does it present?
Starts during sleep or when about to wake
Pins and needles on one side of mouth
Can get Associated twitching or can involve throat (affecting speech)
Occasionally the whole body is affected
Most grow out at Puberty
How does Benign Rolandic Epilepsy present on EEG
Posterior sharp waves
Occipital discharges
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Syndrome is an example of a childhood Seizure Syndrome. How does it present?
Normally onset between 10-20y
Can be Myoclonic or tonic Clonic
Unlikely to grow out of but control is good
How does Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy present on EEG?
3-6 Hz Polyspike and Wave discharge
Describe some hearing test milestones for children
Newborn - Otoacoustic Emission (looking for a soft echo meaning normal tympanic membrane)
If Otoacoustic Emission abnormal - Auditory Brainstem
Distraction test at 6-9 months
Pure Tone Audiometry upon school entry