Neurology and Psychiatry Flashcards
most common cause of syncope
neurally-mediated (vasovagal)
transient loss of consciousness secondary to acute decrease in cerebral blood flow
syncope
*from the clinical standpoint, a fall in systemic systolic BP to 50mm Hg or lower will result in syncope
best test for syncope if arrhythmia is suspected
Holter monitoring
most common type of seizure
generalized tonic-clonic
most important diagnostic step in seizures
EEG
best initial diagnostic test for stroke
plain cranial CT scan
presents exactly like stroke but last <24 hours and resolve completely
transient ischemic attack
most common site of hypertensive bleed that causes stroke
basal ganglia (putamen, internal capsule)
gold standard for diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage
lumbar puncture (xanthochromia*)
- blood in CSF (hallmark of aneurysmal rupture)
- *but if CT is conclusive, no need for LP
“worst headache of my life”
SAH
*hallmark: acute onset severe headache
excluding trauma, what is the MCC of SAH?
ruptures saccular aneurysm
definitive test to detect site of aneurysmal bleed in SAH
4-vessel cerebral angiography
*both carotids and verterbals
common causes of bacterial meningitis in adults
Strep pneumoniae
Neisseria menigitidis
Hemophilus influenza
best initial test for bacterial meningitis
cranial CT then CSF analysis
most accurate test for bacterial meningitis
CSF culture
