Neurology Flashcards
What are two causes of a spontaneous non traumatic intra parenchyma loss haemorrhage?
What does it look like on imaging ?
Amyloid deposits
HTN
anti-coag
On CT they look like hyper dense round elliptical masses
what nerve root is needed for the biceps muscle?
C6
What nerve route is needed for the triceps muscle?
C7
What does L5 do?
Dorsiflexion and big toe
What does S1 do?
Plantar flexion
Why can nerves not regenerate after being damaged?
They can no longer create GF which is needed for regeneration.
Are motor fibres in the anterior or posterior horn?
Anterior Horn
If you had anterior horn syndrome how would you present?
You would have a motor deficit
But sensory would be intact
What are 3 locations that strokes can occur?
Cerebral
Vertebral
Retinal
What would the clinical presentation be if you had an anterior stroke?
- Weakness in legs
- Sensory loss in legs
- Gait apraxia and Truncal Ataxia
- Incontience
How would a stroke in the middle cerebral artery present?
- Contralateral arm and leg weakness.
- Contralateral arm and leg sensory loss
- Aphasia and Dysphagia
- Hemianopia
How would a stroke in the PCA present?
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia
cortical blindness
Visual agnosia
From what time of presentation of sx can you give thrombolysis?
4.5 hours
What long term therapy will you have to prescribe to someone who has just has a stroke?
After 24 hours of presentation start them on clopidogrel
Also start on aspirin
Good HTN control and cholesterol control.
What is the name given to the stroke classification chart used?
Bamford
What are the 4 types of stroke mentioned in the Bamford stroke classification?
Total anterior classification stroke
Partial anterior stroke
Lacunar syndrome
Posterior circulation syndrome.
What is the criteria for a Total anterior circulation stroke classification?
- Homonymous hemianopia
- Unilateral weakness
- Speech disorder
Need all 3
What is the criteria for a partial anterior circulation stroke?
- Homonymous hemianopia
- Unilateral weakness
- Speech disorder
Need 2
What is needed in the classification of a lacunar syndrome stroke?
One of the following
Pure motor
Pure sensory
Ataxic hemiparesis
Pure sensory/motor
What diagnostic criteria is needed to diagnose posterior circulation syndrome?
One of the following:
- CN palsy
- Eye movement disorder
- Cerebellar dysfunction
- Isolated homonymous hemianopia
- B/l motor/sensory impairment
What is the management of a tension headache?
- NSAIDs: aspirin and ibuprofen
BE AWARE of med overuse headaches
How do you treat an acute episode of a cluster headache?
Oxygen
Sumatriptan
How do you treat chronic cluster headaches?
CCB verapamil
What is the presentation of GCA?
Scalp tenderness (severe headache) particularly when brushing hair
Jaw claudication
Sudden painless vision loss
Malaise lethargy and fever
How do you diagnose GCA?
Look at ESR (raised)
Do temporal artery biopsy
How do you treat simple GCA?
How do you treat GCA with eye involvement?
You give high dose steroids + PPI
if there is eye involvement do an IV steroid
Where can mononeuropathies occur ? two places
Cranial Nerves
Individual peripheral nerves
What is the term given to when 2 or more peripheral nerves are affected?
Mononeuritis Multiplex
What are some conditions part of Mononeuritis Multiplex?
Wegners
Amyloid
Rheumatoid arthritis
Diabetes
Polyarteritis nodosa
L eprosy
C ancer
What is the cervical root of the nerve (median nerve) compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome?
C6 to T1
What time of day is carpal tunnel syndrome generally worse at?
Night
Have to dangle Hand over bed to relieve the pain
What muscles are innervated by the median nerve?
LLOAF
Lateral 2 lumbar I also
Opponens Pollicus
Abductor pollicus brevis
Flexor pollicus brevis
What cervical root is the ulnar nerve from?
C7 to T1
how would an ulnar nerve palsy present?
Weak medial 2 lumbricals : creates a claw hand
Weak little finger
Medial wrist flexors
Interossei can’t do a good luck sign
What are some symptoms of Alzheimer’s Dementia?
Agnosia
Short term memory loss
Decline in language
Apraxia
Decline in visual spatial skills
What score out of 30 is classed as normal in MMSE?
Above 25
What is a mild cognitive impairment on the MMSE?
18-24
How do you manage dementia?
Anti acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors
Donepezil
Rivastigmine
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
This is an autoimmune condition against the ACh receptors in neuromuscular junction
What is the main cause of myasthenia gravis in
A. Men
B . Females
A. Thymic Atrophy or Tumours
B. Thymic Hyperplasia secondary to other AI conditions
How would someone with myasthenia gravis present?
Muscle fatigue particularly after strenuous tasks
Normally affects speech and facial expression
Can easily has ptosis and Diplopoda
Respiratory depression can occur
How to diagnose myasthenia gravis?
EMG and NCS will be reduced
Antibodies: anti-MUSK and anti-AChr
CT of thymus
Count to 50
Constantly look up- see if there is any lag.
What is the treatment for myasthenia gravis?
Anti cholinesterase such as pyridostigmine
+ Immuno supression with prednisolone and immunosuppressive like methotrexate
What is a myasthenia crisis?
How do you treat one?
This is when you get Resp muscle involvement and Resp distress occurs
You treat it with plasmapheresis and IV Ig
What causes Wernicke’s korsakoff syndrome?
Thiamine deficiency
3 causes of thiamine deficiency?
Starvation
Anorexia
Alcoholism
What is the pathophysiology behind Wernicke’s encephalopathy?
Haemorrhages and secondary gliosis in the periventricular and peri aqueductal grey matter
What is the tetrad behind Wernicke’s syndrome?
Nystagmus
Acute confusion
Opthalmoplegia (mostly due to a 6th nerve palsy)
Ataxia
What are two specific symptoms of Korsakoff Syndrome?
Confabulation
Retrograde amnesia: inability to learn and repeat simple tasks.
What vitamin is thiamine?
B1
What is the pathophysiology behind Korsakoff psychosis?
Haemorrhages and secondary gliossi within the periventricular and peri aqueductal grey matter
You get disconnection of the mammillothalmic pathway
How does Korsakoff psychosis present?
- Working memory is impaired
- Retrograde + Antegrade amnesia
- Confabulation
Where are brain tumours more common anatomically in:
A. Children
B Adults
Children: posterior fossa
Adults: supratentorial
What is the most common type of brain cancer?
What is the most common subdivision of this?
Glioma
Astrocytoma
What are the 4 grades of the WHO brain cancer scale?
- Pilocytic astrocytoma: benign common in children.
- Diffuse astrocytoma: pre malignant
- Anaplastic astrocytoma
- Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
Do IDH-1 positive or negative tumours have a better prognosis?
Positive
What is a common presentation for a patient with oligodendromas ?
Seizures
What are 4 common symptoms of a brain tumour?
Headache worse on waking , coughing and bending forward
N+V can relieve headache
Drowsiness
Seizures
Papilloedema
What imaging do you do on a suspected brain tumour?
CT head
What is the treatment for a brain tumour?
Dexamethasone
Chemotherapy: Temozolamide +/- Radiotherapy
Surgery
Secondary epilepsy: Carbamazepine
3 common cancers that metastasise to the brain?
Renal Bowel Ca SCLC NSCLC Breast
What gene is associated with MND?
SOD-1 gene
Where in the body can MND affect?
Anterior horn off spinal canal
Brain
What are the main differences between MND and :
- MS
- Myasthenia Gravis
- MS: you get sensory impairment and sphincter involvement
2. Myasthenia Gravis: you get eye involvement
If MND causes bulbar involvement what CN are involved?
CN 9 CN 10 CN 11 CN 12
What are the 4 types of MND?
ALS
Progressive Muscular Atrophy
Progressive Bulbar Palsy
Primary Lateral Sclerosis
How does the MND ALS normally present?
- LMN and UMN signs.
- Fasiculations + wasting- you will see Split Hand sign
- Foot and Wrist Drop
- Up going planters, brisk reflexes and hypertonia
How does Progressive Muscular Atrophy present?
LMN
Weakness
Fasciulations
How does Progressive Bulbar Palsy present?
- CN 9, 10, 11 and 12 are involved
- Choking, regurgitate and dysphagia and dysarthria
- Fasiculating tongue
What is the presentation of Primary Lateral Sclerosis?
Loss of Betz cells
Spastic Leg weakness
UMN signs
Pseudobulbar palsy
What do you need for a diagnosis of MND?
Affects 3nor more regions LMN + UMN
Slowness seen on EMG
What is the treatment for MND?
Anti glutamatergic: Riluzole
Anti spasm: baclofen
Anti cholinergic: for drooling like amitriptyline
What is Bell’s palsy?
A LMN facial palsy
What two conditions increase your risk of Bell’s Palsy?
Diabetes
Pregnancy
What is the pathophysiology of Bell’s Palsy?
Ischaemic compression of the facial nerve
Commonly caused by HSV and VZV
How does Bell’s Palsy present?
Ipsilateral Facial Weakness
Ipsilateral numbness or pain
Loss of taste
Hypersensitive to noise
Drooling
Speech difficulties and loopsided smile
Ptsosis of ipslateral side
How would you diagnose Bell’s Palsy ?
Diagnosis by exclusion. Thus exclude the following
- Viral cause: VZV, HSV, Lyme disease
- MRI scan
- NCS
What is the management of Bell’s Palsy?
- Present within 72 hours give prednisolone
2. Protect the eye
Is trigeminal neuralgia more common in males or females?
Females
What triggers trigeminal neuralgia?
- Eating
- Talking
- Washing
- Shaving
How does trigeminal neuralgia present?
- Unilateral severe electric shock pain
2. Precipated by an inoculus stimuli
How many attacks of trigeminal neuralgia do you need before getting a diagnosis?
- At least 3 attacks
How do you treat Trigeminal Neuralgia- first and second line?
- Carbamazepine
2. Gamma Knife Surgery
What is the inheritance of Neurofibromatosis?
Autosomal Dominant
How does
- NF-1
- NF-2 present?
NF-1 bone deformities, cafe au last spots, short statue, large head and freckling of groin
NF-2: benign and slow growing tumours in ears: acoustic neuromas or optic nerve gliomas
In normal pressure hydrocephalus what signs might you see?
Papilloedema
UMN signs
Brisk reflexes
Ataxia
How do you treat someone with normal pressure hydrocephalus?
- Carbonic a hydrate inhibitors
2. Surgical insertion of shunt
An abnormality of what neurotransmitter causes narcolepsy?
Hypocretin
To have Cataplexy what other condition do you need to have ?
Narcolepsy
What are 4 symptoms of narcolepsy?
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
- Cataplexy
- Hypnagogic hallucinations
- Sleep paralysis
Can also have autonomic symptoms like: night sweats, fainting spells and ED
What are 3 ways to manage a patient with narcolepsy?
- NO DRIVING
- Good sleep hygiene + strategic daytime naps
- Medication like Modafinil
How do you diagnose Narcolepsy?
- Epsworth Sleepiness Scale
- Sleep Studies
- MRI or LP (see low hypocretin)
What is the pathophyisiology of PD?
You get breakdown of the substantia Nigra. Causes a reduction in dopamine available.
Less dopamine means that the thalamus will be inhibited and thus causing decreased movements
What two substances are Lewy bodies made from?
Ubiquitin
Syn nuclein
What is a good diagnosis to do in someone with suspected PD?
DAT Scan
What are 3 non idiopathic causes of epilepsy?
Ion disturbance Alcohol withdrawal Sudden withdrawal of medications Meningitis SAH Brain tumours
What is the name given to the weakness after a seizure ?
Todd’s Palsy
What will you see on EEG in a patient with an absence seizure?
3 Hz
If you have a temporal lobe epilepsy what symptoms would you expect?
Memory
Emotion
Speech
Lip smacking and funny smells
What symptoms would be only seen in frontal lobe epilepsy?
Motor symptoms like
Post ictal Todd’s Palsy and Jacksonian March
What symptoms will you get with a parietal lobe?
Tingling and Numbness
Give 5 investigations you would want to do in someone with epilepsy?
EEG
ECG, electrolytes, glucose, tox screen, calcium, U&E and LFT
MRI
Video subsequent attacks
What is the management of status epilepticus?
- Rectal Diazepam
2. IV phenytoin
What is the treatment 1st and 2nd line for:
Generalised Tonic Clonic
Absence
Partial/Focal Seizures
Generalised: Sodium Valproate then Lamotrigone
Absence: Sodium Valproate then Lamotrigone
Partial: Carbamazepine then Sodium Valproate.
How many seizures do you need to have to get a diagnosis of epilepsy?
> 2
What causes Huntington’s Disease?
A lack of GABA inhibitory neurotransmitter
What is the pathophysiology of Huntington’s Disease?
- Lack of GABA
- Decreased inhibition of Dopamine. SO more Dopamine is available
- Increased thalamic stimulation -> leading to excessive movements
What is the clinical presentation of Huntington’s Disease (4 things)
- Chorea (only stops when asleep)
- Depression and mood changes. Normally has a prodrome of this
- Dysphagia and Dysarthria
- Dementia
What are two investigations you would like to do in someone with suspected Huntington’s disease?
Genetic Testing
CT/MRI: caudate nucleus atrophy and increased size of frontal horns.
What is the management of Huntington’s Disease?
- Anti-psychotic as psychosis is common
- Benzodiazepines: lorazepam
- Anti-depressant: sertraline
What cells are attacked in Multiple Sclerosis?
- Oligodendrocytes of CNS
2. T cell mediated response
Where are 4 places where demyelination may occur >?
Perivenular
Brain ventricles
Brain stem
Corpus Callosum
Name 5 symptoms of MS:
Optic neuritis eye pain + loss of colour vision
Pins and needles
Generalised weakness
Sphincter (urinary incontienance)
Sexual dysfunction
What are some
Cerebellar Symptoms and Brainstem symptoms of MS?
Cerebellar: Ataxia, speech and balance
Brainstem: Diplopoda, vertigo and facial numbness
How do you diagnose MS?
MRI head + Spine : periventricular, perivenular and multiple scattered plaques
LP: oligoclonal Ig G bands
2 or more CNS lesions that are disseminated in time and space.
How do you treat an acute relapse of MS?
IV methyl pred
How to treat chronic or maintenance MS?
SC interferon IB + IA n
DMARDs: dimethylfumarate
Baclofen or Botox infection
What are the three parts of the cerebellum?
Lingual
Vermis
Flocculonodula
What is the most important layer of the cerebellum?
Purkinjine Layer
What is the aetiology behind Cerebellar disease?
Toxins (alcohol) Genetics (freidrich’s ataxia) MS CVS Trauma
What are 5 ways cerebellar disease can present?
Dysdiakinesia Dysphagia Dysarthria Intention tremor Ataxia Nystagmus Clumsiness
What is the best imaging to for the cerebellum ?
MRI
What is a good definition of cerebral palsy?
Non progressive lesion. Pernament and non changing.
What is the most common variety of cerebral palsy?
Bilateral spastic cerebral palsy
What are 3 RF of cerebral palsy?
- Preterm birth
- Low birth
- Multiple babies
- Maternal illness
Up to what age can cerebral palsy occur up to?
2 years old
How does spastic cerebral palsy present ?
- Increased tone
- Scissoring Gait
- All 4 limbs affected
- Poor head control
What is a RF for presentation of cerebral palsy post birth?
Agpar Score (low <5)
Delayed Developmental milestones
Feeding difficulties
Hypotonia and Spasticity
What medication can be given to improve spasticity?
Baclofen
What are the 3 presentations of Horner’s Syndrome?
Miosis
Partial Ptosis
Hemifacial anhidrosis
What are 3 causes of Horner’s Syndrome?
CVS accidents MS Apical tumours: like pan coast tumour HZ virus Temporal arteritis
What 3 investigations might you want to do in someone with Horner’s syndrome?
CT head
CXR exclude lung cancer
CT angiogram
What artery is involved in an extra dural haematoma?
Middle Meningeal artery
What are 4 symptoms of extra dural haematoma?
- Loss of consciousness followed by a lucid interval then another drop in consciousness
- Severe headache, nausea and vomiting, confusion and seizures.
What are two investigations you would like to do in an extra dural haematoma?
Skull X Ray
CT head
WHat is the management of extra dural haematoma?
IV mannitol
Neurosurgery
What normally causes a Sub dural haematoma?
A rupture in the bridging vein
What two populations are sub dural haematomas common in?
Alcoholics
Elderly
How long is the period of time between injury and presenting of a SDH?
Normally a couple of weeks or months.
Can have chronic sub durals
what will be shown on CT head if a person has a sub dural haematoma?
Crescent shape collection
Management of a Sub dural haematoma?
- IV mannitol
2. Burr Hole surgery
What type of artery is a berry aneurysm?
Saccular artery
What are 3 conditions that increase the chance of SAH?
PKD/
Coarctation of aorta
Erhlers Danlos syndrome
What will you see if you look at the eyes of someone with a SAH?
Papilloedema
Retinal Viteral Bleeds
Fixed dilated pupils
What other symptoms (than headache) do you get in SAH?
Collapse
Head and neck stiffness
Nausea and Vomiting
Visual changes
What will you see on LP if a person has a SAH?
Xanthochromia
How do you treat a SAH ?
CCB like nifedipine
Surgery: endo vascular coiling
IV fluids
What are two common pathogens of meningitis in newborns?
E. coli
Group B strep
What are 3 of the causative agent in adults for meningitis?
- Strep pneumoniae
- H influenzae
- N menigitides
What are 6 signs/symptoms of meningitis?
Headache
Neck stiffness
Fever
Photophobia
Nausea and Vomiting
Altered consciousness
Sepsis? Non blanching rash
What is Brudzinski’s Sign?
This is when you lift a patient’s head and in response they draw up their legs
What is Kernig’s Sign?
Inability to straighten leg when the hip is flexed.
If you took the following LPs from these patients what would you see:
- Bacterial
- Viral
- Chronic
- Bacterial: turbid colour, high protein and high neutrophils, low glucose
- Viral: high lymphocytes and normal protein and glucose
- Chronic bacteria: raised lymphocytes, raised protein and low glucose
what abx do you give to contacts of someone with meningitis?
Ciprofloxacin STAT PO
If someone had meningitis and presented to GP. What abx would you give them?
IV benzlpencillin
Vs IV cefotaxime in hospitals
How do you treat meningitis in hospital?
IV cefotaxime
In community give IV benzyl penicillin.
What are 4 common viral causes of encephalitis?
EBV
CMV
HSV
VZV
What two lobes are affected in encephalitis?
Frontal and temporal
How does encephalitis present?
Headache
Fever
Altered consciousness
You will also see fatigue, personality changes and possible seizures
How do you diagnose encephalitis?
- MRI head
- EEG
- LP high lymphocytes and do viral PCR on this
What investigations would you like to do in someone with suspected non epileptic attack disorder?
EEG
MRI head
Video tape of the seizure
You need a full ECG, blood glucose and BP assessment
Full psych assessment
How many NEAD seizures do you need to have to get a diagnosis?
- You need more than 2 over 24 hours.
Do all patients with spinal stenosis develop symptoms?
NO
What are is the pathophysiology behind spinal stenosis?
Loss of joint space
This then causes you to get root ischaemia and neurogenic claudication.
How does cervical spinal stenosis present?
You get pain
Reduced ROM
Muscle weakness in upper limbs (struggle with motor things)
How do you treat cervical spine stenosis?
- Physio
2. NSAIDs
How does lumbar stenosis normally present?
- Back pain or buttock
- Numbness or weakness in legs
- Incontience
- Burning or cramping pain.
How do you treat lumbar stenosis?
NSAIDs
Physio
And Steroids
Then not ok? You need surgery
What is Guilin barre syndrome?
It is an acute inflammatory ascending demyelinating polyneuropathy
What is the No.1 cause of GBS?
What are two other causes?
MAIN cause: Campylobacter jejuni
Other causes are CMV and EBV
How does GBS typically present?
You get it generally 1-3 weeks post infection.
You get an ascending muscle weakness
Reflexes are absent early
Note you normally don’t get numbness
Can go to the respiratory muscles!!! MAY NEED VENTILATING
What are some of the autonomic symptoms associated with GBS?
- Sweating
- Raised BP
- Raised Pulse
How do you diagnose GBS?
- You do NCS
- LP may show raised protein
- Routine spirometry so that FVC can be plotted. To see if there is any Resp involvement.
How do you treat GBS?
- IV Ig
- LMWH
- Still no improvement? Plasmapheresis
What is a squint?
Abnormality of coordinated eye movement
What do the following mean in relation to squints?
Esotropia
Exotropia
ESO : when the eyes point in
EXO: when the eyes point out
Who are non paralytic squints common in ?
Who are paralytic squints common in?
Children
Adults
What are two diagnostic tests you can use for squints?
Cover Test
Corneal reflection test (if asymmetry they have a squint)
If you had a 3rd nerve palsy how would it present?
The eye would be down and out
Ptosis of the eyelid
Fixed dilated pupil
What is the eye like in a 4th nerve palsy?
Up and out!
Generally have their head tilted
CAN”T LOOK DOWN
What is a 6th nerve palsy? How does it present
Diplopia in horizontal plane
Likely to have eye medially
What is the function of the superior oblique?
Intorsion
eyelid depression
What is the function of the inferior oblique?
Extorsion
Eyelid elevation
Explain the difference between TIA and Stroke?
In a TIA you get ischaemia
In a Stroke you get infarction
Give 5 RF for a TIA?
HTN Hyperlipidaemia Diabetes Smoking Age Past TIA Other heart disease
What artery do 90% of TIAs occur in?
ACA
Give 3 symptoms of a TIA?
- Hemiparesis
- Amaurosis Fugax
- Contralateral leg weakness or numbness
What artery are affected in 10% of TIAs?
Posterior circulation arteries
Give 5 ways that a posterior circulation TIA may present?
- Double vision
- Vertigo
- Choking
- Ataxia
- Transient global amnesia
What scoring system to use to quantify the risk of having a stroke after a TIA?
ABCD2 score
Age >60
BP >140/90
Clinical feature: unilateral weakness, speech disturbance
Diabetes
Duration <1 hour 1 point >1 hour 2 points
What does a score of 6 and a score of 4 mean in relation to the ABCD2 scoring system?
Score 4: specialist in 24 hours
Score 6: strongly predicts stroke. Review immediately
What meds should you start someone who had a TIA on?
Aspirin + Dipyridamole
Clopidogrel
Simvastatin
ACE inhibitor
What does the frontal lobe normally control? 2 things
Behaviour
Personality
Give 4 functions of the frontal lobe?
- Behaviour
- Personality
- Speech (Broca’s) + writing
- Voluntary movements on contralateral side
is thought process affected In frontal lobe syndrome?
YES
Intellectual functioning, thought process and memory are all affected
What are 3 blood tests you would want to do in a patient with suspected frontal lobe syndrome?
Syphilis
Thyroid
B12
Give 3 symptoms of frontal lobe disorder?
Loss of attention Personality change Normal memory Decreased spontaneous activity Change of affect
If you get spinal cord compression do you get UMN or LMN signs?
UMN signs
What are 3 causes of spinal cord compression?
Malignancy (vertebral body neoplasm)
Disc herniation
Disc prolapse
What are 5 symptoms/signs of a spinal cord compression? Aka myelopathy?
Back pain
Progressive weakness of the legs and UMN signs (spasticity and hyper reflexia)
Anal sphincter/ bladder involvement. Can cause painless retention
Sensory loss below the level of the lesion
Can cause arm weakness in cervical cord lesion.
If a patient had a spinal cord compression at the following levels would you get a LMN or a UMN sign
- At the level of the spinal cord compression
- Below the level of the spinal cord compression
- At the level of the spinal cord compression: LMN signs
2. Below the level of the spinal cord compression: UMN signs
What is the gold standard investigation of choice for spinal cord compression?
MRI spine
Treatment of spinal cord compression?
IV dexametasone
Surgical decompression
What CN are involved in a Bulbar Palsy?
9 to 12
Disease of what part of the brain leads to dysarthria?
The medulla
What is the difference between phonation and articulation:
phonation: production of sounds as a result of vocal cords
Articulation: contraction of structural muscles
What are 3 causes of a bulbar (CN9-12) palsy?
MS
MND
Stroke
What are 4 symptoms of a bulbar palsy?
- Dysarthria
- Speech is quiet
- Drooling
- LMN lesion of the tongue: issues talking and swallowing
What is the difference between bulbar palsy and pseudobulbar palsy?
Bulbar Palsy: LMN
Pseudobulbar palsy: UMN
Is bulbar or pseudobulbar more common?
Pseudobulbar palsy
3 causes of pseudobulbar palsy?
- MND
- MS
- Stroke
What is the presentation of pseudobulbar palsy?
- Slow tongue movements
- Slow speech
- Increased jaw jerk + reflexes
- Mood incongruence
What is the best investigation for bulbar and pseudo bulbar palsies?
CT
What is the best treatment for:
A. Bulbar Palsy
B. Pseudo-bulbar palsy
A. Bulbar Palsy: this is when you get drooling and LMN involvement can be useful to give any anti-cholinergic (hyoscyamine)
B. Pseudo Bulbar Palsy: you get increased tone and spasticity so can be helpful to use: baclofen
Give the 4 main different types of groups causing myopathies?
- ) Inherited: duchesses muscular dystrophy
- ) Non inflammatory: thyroid, DM and Cushings
- )Infection: polio or Lyme
- ) Steroid or alcohol
How does a patient with myopathy present?
You get weakness in the shoulders and the pelvic girdle
Motor delay in children
Myalgia is common in inflammatory myopathies
Are reflexes gone or maintained in a myopathy?
They are maintained
What are two tasks that someone with a myopathy might find hard?
Shaving
Going up stairs
What tests would you do on a patient with suspected myopathy? (Name 4)
- ) Creatinine Kinase + serum myoglobin
- ) ECG may show Hypokalaemia (increased PR internal and wide QRS)
- Muscle biopsy
- EMG
What two things do you use to treat hypokalaemia?
IV K+
Spironolactone
What are two types of bacteria that can cause a brain abscess?
Staph
Strep
What cervical root makes up a radial nerve?
C5 to T1
What 4 muscles does the radial nerve supply?
BEST Brachioradialis Extensors Supination Triceps
How would a lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment present?
Anterior lateral burning thigh pain
How would a compression of a sciatic nerve present differently to compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve?
Sciatic: you would get loss of sensation below knee laterally + causes foot drop
Lateral cutaneous nerve: presents with antero lateral burning thigh pain
Where does the common peroneal nerve originate from?
The sciatic nerve @ a site just above the knee
What is the presentation of a common peroneal nerve compression?
Foot drop
Weak ankle dorsiflexion + Eversion
Can cause a sensory loss over the dorsal
If you damage your tibial nerve what movement will you be unable to do?
Stand on your toes
4 ways a nerve can malfunction
Demyelination
Infarction
Infiltration
Compression
CAUDA Equina syndrome: where does the damage occur?
The cauda equina is formed from nerve roots caudal to the end of the spinal cord at L1/L2
What are 3 causes of cauda equina syndrome?
Herniation of the lumbar discs
Tumour or metastasis
Trauma
Infection
How would cauda equina present?
You will get reduced perianal sensation
Loss of sphincter tone
ED + urinary and foecal incontience
Bilateral sciatica
Legs will be flaccid and areflexic
What is the investigation of choice in cauda equina?
MRI !