NM differential Dx Flashcards
What is MS?
chronic, progressive, demyelinating disease of the CNS
What population does MS commonly affect?
Female adults (20-50 y/o)
Description
- demyelinating lesions impair neural transmission which causes the nerves to fatigue rapidly
- lesions are common in pyramidal tract, dorsal columns, optic tract, periventricular areas of cerebrum, and cerebellar peduncles
- variable course with fluctuating episodes progressing to permanent dysfunction
- transient worsening of symptoms
MS
The following s/s indicate what diagnosis?
- mild to moderate cognitive impairment
- euphoria
- emotional dysregulation
- dysarthria
- dysphagia
- decreased ROM
- Sensory symptoms (parasthesia, hyperpathia, dysesthesias, trigeminal neuralgia, Lhermitte’s sign)
- diplopia and blurred vision (possible optic neuritis, blind spots (scotoma), and/or nystagmus)
- spasticity and hyperreflexia
- paresis
- ataxia
- intention tremors
- dysmetria
- dysdiadokinesia
- vestibular s/s
- fatigue
MS
What is the #1 complaint of MS?
fatigue
w/ activity and as the day progresses
Definition
Subtype of MS that is characterized by discrete attacks of neuro deficits with either full or partial recovery in subsequent weeks or months; periods between relapses are characterized by lack of disease progression
relapsing-remitting MS
What subtype of MS is common in 85% of cases?
Relapsing-remitting
definition
subtype of MS characterized by disease progression and a deterioration in function from onset; patient can experience moderate fluctuations in neurological disability but discrete attacks do not occur
primary-progressive
definition
Subtype of MS characterized by an initial relapsing-remitting course, followed by a change to a progressive course with a steady decline in function, with or without continued acute attacks
secondary-progressive
definition
Subtype of MS characterized by a steady deterioration in disease from onset but with occasional acute attacks; time between attacks are characterized by continued disease progression
progressive-relapsing
definition
Subtype of MS that is the first episode of inflammatory demyelination that could become MS if additional activity occurs
clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
What type of MS can CIS progress to if a patient continues to have additional activity indicating possible MS?
relapsing-remitting
What is recommended for diagnosis of MS?
brain MRI with gladiolum
spinal cord MRI if brain MRI is non-diagnostic
Degeneration of what CNS structures lead to PD?
- dopaminergic substantia nigra neurons
- nigrostriatal pathways
- deficiency of basal ganglia corpus striatum
- loss of inhibitory dopamine results in excessive excitatory output from the cholinergic system of the basal ganglia (ACh)
Diagnosis
- rigidity
- bradykinesia
- resting tremor
- impaired postural reflexes
- altered gait: shuffling, freezing, festination (involuntary increase in walking speed)
- fatigue
- anxiety and depression
- slow progression with emergence of secondary impairments and permanent dysfunction
- altered cognition
- dysphagia
- orthostatic hypotension
- akathisia (restlessness)
- visual changes
- integumentary changes (edema, circulation, integrity)
- weakness
PD
What is the Hoehn and Yahr classification used for?
staging PD
What is stage 1 of Hoegn and Yahr classification?
Minimal or absent disability - unilateral symptoms
What is stage 2 of Hoegn and Yahr classification?
- Minimal bilateral or midline involvement
- no balance involvement
What is stage 3 of Hoegn and Yahr classification?
- impaired balance
- some activity restrictions
What is stage 4 of Hoegn and Yahr classification?
- all PD symptoms are present and severe
- standing and walking with assistance
What is stage 5 of Hoegn and Yahr classification?
confinement to bed or WC
What should you examine for when you have a patient taking Levodopa for PD management?
fluctuating symptoms (on-off phenomenon)
Common with disease progression and long-term use of levodopa
What are adverse effects of levodopa (sinemet)?
- n/v
- orthostatic hypotension
- arrythmia
- dyskinesia/involuntary movements
- psychoses/hallucinations
What causes presyncope?
CVD reducing cerebral perfusion
Blurred vision is gaze instability secondary to ______.
VOR dysfunction
(true/false) Vestibular symptoms are seen in 87% of patients with chronic TBI
FALSE (acute TBI)
PVH occurs in 19%
diagnosis
Acute infection of vestibular system (bacterial or viral) with prolonged attack of symptoms, persisting for several days to weeks
vestibular neuronitis, labyrinthitis
Diagnosis
episodic vertigo syndrome associated with low to medium frequency sensorineural hearing loss and fluctuating aural symptoms in the affected ear accompanied by vertigo
Etiology unknown but believed to be accumulation of endolymph
meniere’s disease
How long do symptoms of vertigo last in those with menieres disease?
20 minutes - 12 hours
Diagnosis
brief attacks of vertigo and nystagmus that occurs with a change in head position
Can be related to disloged otoconia into the semicircular canal
BPPV
What can cause unilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction (PVH)?
- menieres disease
- BPPV
- trauma
- vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis
- tumor
What kind of injury is the most common cause of SCI in the lumbar spine?
FLX
What kind of injury is most common to cause SCI in the cervical spine?
FLX-ROT
What spinal areas have the greatest frequency for experiencing SCI?
- C5
- C7
- T12
- L1
What is designated as the lesion level for an SCI?
Most distal uninvolved nerve root with normal function
MMT must be 3+/5
What levels cause quadriplegia?
C1-C8
What levels cause paraplegia?
bilateral LEs and trunk
T1-T12
What are the levels of the ASIA scale?
A= complete
B= incomplete; sensory function is preserved below neural level
C= incomplete; motor function is preserved below neural level and are < 3/5
D= incomplete; motor function is preserved below the functional level and most have a MMT of 3/5 or higher
E= Normal
Diagnosis
- Loss of centrally located cervical tracts (arm functioning)
- loss of B/B functioning with spasticity
- preservation of peripherally located lumbar and sacral tracts (LE functioning)
Central cord syndrome
What MOI typically causes central cord syndrome?
hyperextension injury of the cervical spine
Diagnosis
- ipsilateral loss of tactile discrimination, pressure, vibration, and proprioception (dorsal columns)
- ipsilateral loss of motor function and paralysis below level of lesion (corticospinal tracts)
- contralateral loss of pain and temperature below level of lesion (spinothalamic tract)
- bilateral loss of pain and temperature at the level of lesion (spinothalamic tract)
Brown Sequard syndrome
What MOI commonly causes brown-sequard syndrome?
puncture wounds
Diagnosis
- loss of lateral corticospinal tracts
- loss of spinothalamic tracts
- bilateral loss of motor function (spastic paralysis below level of lesion - lateral corticospinal tracts)
- bilateral loss of pain and temperature (spinothalamic tracts)
Anterior cord syndrome
What is preserved with anterior cord syndrome?
- light touch
- proprioception
- sense of positioning
- vibration
Dorsal columns
What is preserved with central cord syndrome?
- proprioception
- discriminatory sensation
What is the MOI of anterior cord syndrome?
FLX injury of cervical spine
Diagnosis
- loss of posterior columns
- bilateral loss of proprioception, vibration, pressure ,and epicritic sensations (stereognosis, 2-point discrimination)
- preservation of motor function, pain, and light touch
- rare
posterior cord syndrome
What is preserved with posterior cord syndrome?
- light touch
- pain
- motor function
diagnosis
injury below L1 that results in LMN lesion of lumbar and sacral roots
cauda equina injury
What does cauda equina injury cause?
- sensory loss
- paralysis
- autonomous or nonreflexive bladder
(true/false) There is some capacity for regeneration of motor and sensory functioning with cauda equina injury
true
incomplete recovery that stops after 1 year
Definition
Sparing of tracts of sacral segments with preservation of perianal sensation, rectal sphincter tone, or active toe FLX
sacral sparing
(true/false) voluntary saccadic or smooth pursuit eye exercises should NOT be offered in isolation (without head movement)
true
Describe spinal shock.
Phenomenon that occurs after trauma to the spinal cord in which the cord ceases to function below the lesion
absent spinal reflexes, voluntary and autonomic motor control, and sensation
how long does it usually take for spinal shock to diminish?
24 hours
After spinal shock resolves, reflexes return and progressively bbecome stronger resulting in spasticity
- HTN
- bradycardia
- severe HA
- anxiety
- constricted pupils
- blurred vision
- flushing and piloerection
- increased spasticity
autonomic dysreflexia
What should you do if a person may be experiencing autonomic dysreflexia?
- sit them in upright position
- loosen tight clothing
- examine for blockage of urinary drainage
- monitor BP and HR
What WC is most appropriate for those with high cervical lesions (C1-C4)?
- electric WC
- tilt in space seating
- puff and sip control/microswitch
- portible respirator
What WC is most appropriate for those with C5 injury?
preservation of shoulder function and elbow FLX
manual with propulsion aids
Independent for short distances
- may require electric WC for longer distances
What WC is most appropriate for patients with C6 or C7 lesion?
preservation of radial wrist extensors and/or triceps
manual WC with friction-surface rims
independent
What would locomotor training result in for those with midthoracic lesions (T6-T9)?
- supervision with short distances
- use of AD
- bilateral KAFO
may prefer standing devices for physiological standing (standing WC)
What would locomotor training result in for those with high lumbar lesions (T12-L3)?
- independence with ambulation on all surfaces and stairs
- independent household ambulation
- WC use for community distances
-bilateral KAFOs - swing-through pattern or four-point pattern with crutches
- possible use of FES system with reciprocating gait orthoses
What will locomotor training result in for those with low lumbar lesions (L4-L5)?
- independent ambulators with bilateral AFOs
- crutches or cane
- may use WC for high-endurance activity
What are the absolute contraindications for exercise testing and training in individuals with a SCI?
- autonomic dysreflexia
- severe or infected skin on WB surfaces
- symptomatic hypotension
- UTI
- unstable Fx
- uncontrolled temperature environments
- insufficient ROM for task performance
What is another name for ALS?
Lou gehrig’s disease
diagnosis
degenerative disease affecting UMNs and LMNs through degeneration of anterior horm cells, descending corticobulbar, and corticospinal tracts.
ALS
What is the etiology of ALS?
unknown
5-10% genetic
Diagnosis s/s
- progressive disease leading to death within 2-5 years
- muscular weakness progressing from limbs to whole body; atrophy, cramping, muscle fasciculations, twitching (LMN s/s)
- hyperreflexia (UMN s/s)
- spasticity (UMN s/s)
- dysarthria
- dysphagia
- dysphonia secondary to pseudobulbar palsy
- autonomic dysfunction (1/3 of cases)
- respiratory weakness
- depression
ALS
What is stage I of ALS?
- Early disease with mild focal weakness
- asymmetrical
- s/s are hand cramping and fasciculations
What is stage II of ALS?
- moderate weakness
- start of atrophy
- modified independence with AD
What is stage III of ALS?
- severe weakness
- increased fatigue
- mild to moderate functional limitations
- ambulatory
What is stage IV of ALS?
- severe weakness and LE wasting
- mild UE weakness
- mod A with AD
- WC user
What is stage V of ALS?
- progressive weakness with deterioration of mobility and endurance
- increased fatigue
- moderate to severe weakness of limbs and trunk
- hyperreflexia
- spasticity
- loss of head control
- max A
- use of WC
What is stage VI of ALS?
- bedridden
- dependent
- progressive respiratory distress
weakness or paralysis of the muscles innervated by the motor nuclei of the lower brainstem
- affects the muscles of the face, tongue, larynx, and pharynx
bulbar palsy
What is the etiology of bulbar palsy?
- tumors
- vascular disease
- degenerative diseases
… of the lower CN motor nuclei
diagnosis
bilateral dysfunction of the corticobulbar innervation of brainstem nuclei – UMN lesion analogous to corticospinal lesions disrupting the function of anterior horn cells
pseudobulbar palsy
similar s/s of bulbar palsy
What is another name for trigeminal neuralgia?
Tic Douloreux