Numbness & Weakness Flashcards
CNS causes
Brain - stroke, hemorrhage, tumor
Spinal cord - tumor, infection, trauma
Motor neuron disease
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Radiculopathies
Disc herniation, cervical spondylosis
Peripheral neuropathies
Bell’s palsy, Guillian-Barre
NMJ disorders
Myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome
Aphasia, hemi-neglect, contralateral weakness and sensory loss (MCA); dysphagia, hoarseness, loss of gag reflex, decrease pain/temperature sensation on ipsilateral face (Lateral medullary) - CT and MRI of brain
Brain stroke or hemorrhage
Ipsilateral weakness, contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation 1-2 levels below lesion
Brown-sequard spinal injury
Spasticity/stiffness, hyperreflexia, dysarthria, dysphagia, atrophy, fasciculations, hyporeflexia, weakness
ALS - upper and lower motor neuron degeneration
Low back pain, leg pain that radiates from buttock to leg, worse with sitting, improves with standing (CT, MRI)
Disc herniation
L5 and S1 radiculopathy
L5 - ankle dorsiflexion weakness
S1 - ankle plantarflexion weakness, diminished Achilles reflex
C5, C6, C7 radiculopathy
C5 - deltoid weakness, biceps reflex weak
C6 - brachioradialis and wrist extension weakness, brachioradialis reflex weakness
C7 - triceps and wrist flexion weakness, triceps reflex weakness
One side of face is weak (eyebrow sags, unable to close eyes, no labial folds, mouth droops), loss of taste
Bell’s Palsy
Ascending muscle weakness, diminished reflexes, autonomic dysfunction, CN 3-12 dysfunction, ataxia (NCS, Lumbar puncture)
Guillain-Barre
Weakness worse with use, muscle fatigue, ptosis, diplopia, dysphagia, dysarthria, chewing difficulty (CT scan)
Myasthenia Gravis
Proximal muscle weakness, autonomic instability, improvement of strength with vigorous activity
Lambert-Eaton
