Neurology Potpourri — Peripheral Neuropathy - GK Flashcards
The _____ nervous system consists of nerve fibers connecting the rest of the body with the ________ (brain, spinal cord).
Peripheral
CNS
These connect the head, face, eyes, nose, muscles and ears to brain
Cranial nerves
These connect the spinal cord to the rest of the body
Spinal nerves
What four types of nerves does the peripheral nervous system include?
- Cranial nerves
- Spinal nerves
- Nerves of extremities
- Cervical, brachial and lumbosacral plexuses
___________, ____________ & ________ are the 3 elements of the peripheral nerves.
sensory, motor, autonomic
Peripheral neuropathy results from damage to ____________
any part of the nerve
What parts of the nerve can be damaged that would cause peripheral neuropathy?
- axon
- body of nerve cell
- myelin sheath
- neuromuscular junction
A peripheral neuropathy that affects one nerve
Mononeuropathy
A peripheral neuropathy that affects several discrete nerves
multiple mononeuropathy
OR
mononeuritis multiplex
Peripheral neuropathy that affects a plexus
plexopathy
Peripheral neuropathy that affects a nerve root
radiculopathy
Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by what?
- motor weakness
- sensory loss
AND/OR
- positive sensory symptoms (tingling, burning)
- may also have autonomic symptoms
T/F: Peripheral neuropathy is has a gradual onset and slowly progressive course.
TRUE
T/F: Autonomic symptoms of peripheral neuropathy happen in pts with DM & amyloidosis
TRUE
T/F: Peripheral neuropathy is usually bilateral & symmetric
True
T/F: Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by distal involvement
True
T/F: Etiologies of peripheral neuropathy include hereditary and acquired
True
What are the hereditary causes of peripheral neuropathy?
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth dz (MC)
- Porphyria (rare)
What are inflammatory acquired causes of peripheral neuropathy?
- Guillain Barre Syndrome
- chronic inflamatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
What are infectious acquired causes of peripheral neuropathy?
- Lyme disease
- HIV
- herpes
- VZV
- CMV
- EBV
- hepatitis viruses
- chagas dz
- diphtheria
- leprosy
- rabies
T/F: Acquired etiologies of peripheral neuropathy include rheumatic reasons + organ failure.
TRUE
What are other acquired causes of peripheral neuropathy?
- endocrine
- GI
- malignancy
Vitamin deficiency/excess of which vitamins can cause peripheral neuropathy?
- B12
- B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B6 (pyroxidine)
- Vitamin E
- Niacin
- Copper
“Mercedes [BBB]ENC”
What meds cause peripheral neuropathy?
- Abx
- antiretrovirals
- chemo agents
- phenytoin
- thalidomide
What toxins cause peripheral neuropathy?
- Heavy metals
- industrial or environmental substances
Important things to ask when taking History
- fam history for inherited disorders
T/F: You must complete a full neuro exam
True
What labs should you run if a pt comes in with complaints of peripheral neuropathy?
- CBC
- CMP
- A1C (DM mc cause)
- TSH
- B12
- folate
- ESR
- Rf
- ANA
- SPEP
- immunoelectrophoresis or immunofixation
- urine for Bence Jones Protein
**You don’t have to order them all**
What is the purpose of a nerve conduction study w/electromyography?
differentiates between nerve and muscle disorders
differentiates between axonal and demyelinating conditions
When would you order imaging?
What kind of imaging would you order?
If concern for radiculopathy
MRI/CT cervical, thoracic +/- lumbar