Neurology - Misc Flashcards
Shingles aetiology
VZV reactivation
Immunosuppression
- HIV
- Steroids
- Chemo
Age
Shingles presentation
Pre-eruptive
- Itching
- Burning
- B symptoms
PAINFUL RASH
- Dermatomal
- Small vesicles
- Clusters
If > 1 dermatome - Consider immunodeficiency or DDx
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
VZV infection in V1
Visual loss
Hutchinson sign - Vesicles on the tip of the nose
Shingles investigations
Clinical diagnosis
Shingles management
Acyclovir
Pain relief - Paracetamol / ibuprofen THEN... - Gabapentin - Pregabalin - Amitriptyline
Vaccination offered at 70 and 78
Bell’s palsy definition
Acute
Idiopathic
Unilateral
Facial nerve palsy
LMNL
Bell’s palsy causes
Idiopathic
Infection
- EBV
- HSV
SOL - Parotid tumour
GBS
Forceps delivery
^ Risk in pregnancy and diabetes
Bell’s palsy presentation
7th nerve palsy
Speech disturbance
Eating disturbance
Dry eyes
Taste - Loss of anterior 2/3
Post-auricular pain and numbness
Hearing - Hyperacusis
Gusto-lacrimal reflex - Crying when you eat
Bell’s palsy investigations
Serology
- VZV - Ramsay Hunt syndrome
CT/MRI to check for SOL
Bell’s palsy management
Prednisolone
Protect the eye
NO ANTIVIRALS
Bell’s palsy complications
Ramsay Hunt syndrome
Permanent in 15%
Spinal cord compression aetiology
Bone mets Disc prolapse Osteophytes EDH Pott's disease Infection Trauma - Brown sequard syndrome
Spinal cord compression presentation
Back pain - Unilateral
Reflexes ^
FND / incontinence - Cauda equina?
Spinal cord compression investigations
MRI
Bloods - Serology
FBC/INR - Warfarin
CXR - Mets
Spinal cord compression management
Dexamethasone IV
Treat cause
Cauda equina aetiology
Bone mets Disc prolapse Osteophytes EDH Pott's disease Infection Trauma - Brown sequard syndrome
Cauda equina presentation
Back pain
FND
Saddle numbness
Incontinence
Asymmetrical
Areflexia
Atrophic paralysis of leg
Cauda equina investigations
PR
Urgent MRI
Cauda equina management
Dexamethasone
Surgical decompression
Cauda equina complications
Paralysis
Sensory abnormality
Bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction
MND pathophysiology
Apoptosis of motor neurons Superoxide dimutase (SOD1) mutation
MND types
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Most common
- UMN + LMN
- Loss of neurons in motor cortex
Progressive bulbar palsy - Worst prognosis
- LMNL
- CN 9-12
Progressive muscular atrophy - LMN
Primary lateral sclerosis - UMN
UMN signs
Upgoing plantars
Increased reflexes
Clonus
Spasticity
NO wasting
LMN signs
Fasciculations
Decreased reflexes
Wasting / atrophy