NMS Flashcards
right fourth and fifth digit, a right sided foot drop and a left sided facial weakness.
diagnosis
mononeuritis multiplex
what is mononeuritis multiplex
simultaneous or sequential involvement of individual non-contiguous nerve trunks.
features of mononeuritis multiplex
acute or subacute loss of sensory and motor function of individual nerves. The pattern of involvement is asymmetric, however, as the disease progresses, deficit(s) becomes more confluent and symmetrical, making it difficult to differentiate from polyneuropathy.
predominantly motor loss of peripheral neuropathy
Guillain-Barre syndrome
porphyria
lead poisoning
hereditary sensorimotor neuropathies (HSMN) - Charcot-Marie-Tooth
chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
diphtheria
predominantly sensory loss of peripheral neuropathy
diabetes uraemia leprosy alcoholism vitamin B12 deficiency amyloidosis
alcoholic neuropathy features
secondary to both direct toxic effects and reduced absorption of B vitamins
sensory symptoms typically present prior to motor symptoms
vit B12 deficiency features
subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord
dorsal column usually affected first (joint position, vibration) prior to distal paraesthesia
what is chiari 1 malformation
herniation of the cerebellar tonsils throught the formaen magnum
disturbs the CSF - causing non-communicating hydrocephalus (uncommon) or syringomyelia (common)
- headache
what is syringomyelia
dilation of a CSF space within the spinal cord
occurs within the cervical and thoracic segments and causes compression of the spinothalamic tracts decussating in the anterior white commisure
loss of sesation of pain, temperature and non-discriminative touch
cape-like distrubution of the sensory loss
characteristic features of GBS
rapidly progressive peripheral neuropathy with lower motor neurone signs (hyporeflexia),
progressive weakness of all four limbs.
- the weakness is classically ascending i.e. the lower extremities are affected first, however it tends to affect proximal muscles earlier than the distal ones
- reflexes are reduced or absent
- sensory symptoms tend to be mild (e.g. distal paraesthesia) with very few sensory signs
- PAIN - back/leg pain in the initial stages of the illness
other features of GBS
- there may be a history of gastroenteritis
- respiratory muscle weakness
- cranial nerve involvement e.g. diplopia
- autonomic involvement: e.g. urinary retention, diarrhoea
Ix for GBS
lumbar puncture
- > rise in protein
- > normal white blood cell count (albuminocytologic dissociation) + protein
nerve condution studies may be performed
what is GBS
immune-mediated demyelination of the peripheral nervous system often triggered by an infection (classically Campylobacter jejuni).
characterised by
- paraesthesia
- weakness
- hyporeflexia
More common in men
Europe
Tx for GBS
-> intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) – a treatment made from donated blood that helps bring your immune system under control
plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) – an alternative to IVIG where a machine is used to filter your blood to remove the harmful substances that are attacking your nerves
treatments to reduce symptoms such as painkillers
treatments to support body functions, such as a machine to help with breathing and/or a feeding tube
what is Miller Fisher syndrome
Sx
proximal variant of GBS
antiboides angainst the ganglioside GQ1b
Sx opthalmoplegia areflexia ataxia BUT NOT WEAKNESS
RFs of GBS
- history of GI/Resp infection 1-3 weeks prior to the onset of weakness
- vaccinations
- malignancies
- pregnancy: decreases during pregnancy but increases in the months after delivery
Examination of GBS
- hypotonia
- demonstrable altered sensation or numbness
- reduced or absent reflexes
- fasciculations
- facial weakness - asymmetrical
- autonomic dysfunction - fluctuations of heart rate and arryhthmias
- respiratory muscle paralysis
DDx of GBS
barin - stroke, braisntem compression, encephalitis
spinal cord: cord compressions, polymyelitis, transverse myelitis
peripheral nerve: vasculitis, lead poisoning, porphyria
NMJ: MG, botulism
muscle: hypokalemia, polymyositis
complications of GBS
respiratory failure
persistent paralysis hypotension/hypertension thromboembolism, pneumonia, skin breakdown cardiac arryhthmia ileus aspiration pneumonia urinary retention psychiatric problems - anxiety, depression
what is vasculitic neuropathy
Patchy motor and sensory loss; pain and dysaesthesia.
Underlying primary vasculitic or rheumatological syndrome
Ix of vasculitic neuropathy
NCT may reveal clinically asymptomatic lesions.
Nerve ± muscle biopsy
acute intermittent porphyria clinical features
Ix
distal motor neuropathy, HTN, tachycardia
blood and urine analysis