Neurology Brief Flashcards
Describe trigeminal neuralgia.
Paroxysmal attacks of severe intense burning pain in the trigeminal distribution.
What is the first-line medical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?
Carbamazepine.
What is the second-line medical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?
. 1st line: Carbamazepine
2nd line: Gabapentin and amitriptyline
What is the most common virus causing trigeminal neuralgia?
Herpes Zoster Virus (HZV or varicella).
Do you know two important case scenarios related to trigeminal neuralgia?
1. Paroxysmal attacks of pain at face + redness
- Paroxysmal attacks of pain at face + history of redness at face
- Paroxysmal attacks of pain at face + redness = varicella neuralgia.
- Paroxysmal attacks of pain at face + history of redness at face = post-herpetic neuralgia.
1st line of TTT of trigeminal neuralgia……………….
1st line of TTT of bipolar in pregnancy………….…..
1st line of TTT of epilepdy in pregnancy…..………..
1st line of TTT of complex partial seizure…………..
1st line of TTT of trigeminal neuralgia………………. carbamazipine
1st line of TTT of bipolar in pregnancy………….….. carbamazipine
1st line of TTT of epilepdy in pregnancy…..……….. carbamazipine
1st line of TTT of complex partial seizure………….. carbamazipine
Carbamazepine is also linked to fetal abnormalities, but not with intellectual impairment, and should not be used during pregnancy.4
Lamotrigine poses a lower risk during pregnancy and can be prescribed to breastfeeding mothers, with 2.7% of babies having congenital abnormalities; however, it has limited efficacy in preventing mania.
Lithium is the most effective mood stabiliser,6 with demonstrated efficacy in the prophylaxis of postpartum relapse,7 and should be considered for women with seveare bipolar disorder. RACGP
MCC/ MC RF of intra-cranial Hge…
HTN
A condition where weakness starts at lower limbs and ascends upward, often associated with a history of gastrointestinal infection or vaccination.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).
CSF findings in GB$……………………………………..
cyto- albuminous dissociation
How is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) treated?
Plasmapheresis or IVIG.
enzypenicilin for propholayxis
TTT of GB$ with affected respiratory ms………….
plasmapheresis
Most imp monitoring of pt with GB$ ………………..
Most imp monitoring of pt with GB$ ……………….. lung vital capacity (spirometry)
Pt with ptosis, diplopia & muscle weakness after periods of activity which improves with rest………
Dx: myasthenia gravis
What is the most important sign in a patient with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?
Areflexia.
Describe Myasthenia Gravis.
A condition characterized by ptosis, diplopia, and muscle weakness that improves with rest.
Most common cp………MG
drooping eyelid
Most common tumour associated ……MG
thymoma
Most imp inv……..MG NO longer done
Most imp inv……..edrophonium test
Drug of choice……MG
physostigmine and neostigmine
pt with prolonged use of cortisone develops ms weakness…
pt with prolonged use of cortisone develops ms weakness… Dx: steroid- induced myopathy
Pt with sudden severe headache then develops nausea& vomiting…
Dx: Sub-Arachnoid Hge (SAH)
What is the most common association with Myasthenia Gravis?
Thyrotoxicosis.
What is the most common complication of Myasthenia Gravis?
Respiratory impairment.
How is Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) managed?
Coiling or restenting (Endovascular therapy).
What is the first step in managing Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)?
CT without contrast.
If CT finding in equivocal/ best diagnostic test:SAH
lumbar puncture (CSF analysis)
CSF findings in SAH: ++RBCs and
xanthochromia
Pt with bilateral renal mass develops sudden severe headache…
Dx: SAH DT berry aneurysm rupture
After TTT of SAH, pt develops hypo-natremia…
Dx: SIADH
Young female with acute onset blindness, no H/O ophthalmological disorder=
Young female with acute onset blindness, no H/O ophthalmological disorder= multiple sclerosis (MS) until proven otherwise
Young female with patchy neurological manifestations …
DD: multiple sclerosis OR conversion disorder
What is the important medication given to patients with SAH to decrease vasospasm?
Nimodipine.
Describe the presentation in a young female with optic neuritis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) until proven otherwise.
What is the first step in diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Brain MRI (demyelination) with or without gadolinium.
If MRI findings are inconclusive, what is the next step in diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS)? second
CSF analysis (Oligoclonal IgG bands).
Describe the next step for a young female with optic neuritis I vestogation
MRI (not visual evoked response)
3rd choice…………… Multiple sclerosis
Investigation
Visual evoked response
What is the treatment of choice for multiple sclerosis?
IV cortisone high dose
Corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment for acute relapses. Intravenous methylprednisolone is generally used, although oral methylprednisolone has been shown to have similar efficacy.14 Other options include adrenocorticotropic hormone or plasma exchange. Medical treatment is only necessary if the relapse symptoms have a significant impact on quality of life, as treatment may hasten the recovery from a relapse but not the likelihood of recovery or permanent disability.14
What is the diagnosis when patient shaves only one side of their face and combs hair on the other side only?
Hemi-neglect
How do you diagnose hemi-neglect?
Ask the patient to fill in the numbers of a clock
What is the cause of hemi-neglect?
Lesion of the non-dominant (Right) parietal lobe
What is the treatment for heat stroke?
Pt came with T> 40. He worked for prolonged time under sun rays in a hot day.heat stroke…. ……… Dx:
Evaporation cooling
What is the most important way to prevent decubitus ulcers?
Patient repositioning every 2 hours
What is the second most important way to prevent decubitus ulcers?
Air mattress
What is the diagnosis for a patient with an irresistible urge to move legs before or during sleep?
Restless leg syndrome
What is the treatment for restless leg syndrome?
Levodopa
The treatment for restless leg syndrome (RLS) according to RACGP guidelines includes:
- Lifestyle Modifications: Regular exercise, good sleep hygiene, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
-
Medications:
- Dopamine Agonists: Pramipexole or ropinirole.
- Alpha-2-delta Ligands: Gabapentin or pregabalin for patients with painful RLS or comorbid insomnia.
- Iron Supplementation: For patients with low ferritin levels.
- Non-Pharmacological Therapies: Leg massages, hot baths, and pneumatic compression devices.
For more detailed information, refer to the RACGP guidelines.
What is the most common association of restless leg syndrome?
Iron deficiency anemia
What is the diagnosis for a patient with hand tremor only?
Essential tremor
What is the first-line treatment for essential tremor?
Beta blockers (DOC)
Pt with rapid progressive dementia+ myoclonus…
Dx: CJD… CO: prion.
What must be confirmed by two physicians to diagnose brain death?
Brain death
What is the diagnosis for weakness and loss of pain and temperature affecting only the upper limb?
Syringomyelia (cord cavitation)
What is the investigation of choice for syringomyelia?
MRI (cavity in the spinal cord)
What is the diagnosis for a diabetic patient with ptosis and down and out gaze?
Oculomotor neuropathy
What is the cause of neuropathy in diabetic patients?
Ischemic
What is the diagnosis for a young female with unilateral pulsating headache with or without aura?
Migraine
What is the first-line treatment for migraines?
NSAIDs