Passmed Neuro Stuff Flashcards
What condition are bilateral acoustic neuromas associated with?
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2)
How can you distinguish between a CSF leak and mucus coming from a patient’s nose?
Check glucose - CSF has glucose
What is syringomyelia?
Fluid-filled cavity develop in central canal of spinal cord
This compresses the spinal cord tracts
Which part of the spinal cord is compressed first in syringomyelia?
Anterior white commissure
Spinothalamic tract decussates here at level of entry
Which sensory fibres are carried in the spinothalamic tract?
Pain and temperature
Which sensory fibres are carried in the dorsal column?
Light touch, vibration and proprioception
What is a typical presentation for someone with syringomyelia?
Bilateral loss of pain and temperature at level of syrinx
Often present with burns on fingers
Progresses to ‘shawl-like’ sensation loss of arms, shoulders and torso
What malformation is syringomyelia associated with?
Chiari Type 1 malformation
What imaging is required if you suspect syringomyelia?
MRI Full Spine
MRI Brain - check for Chiari malformation
What is tuberous sclerosis?
Autosomal Dominant condition with cutaneous, neurological and other features
What are the cutaneous features of tuberous sclerosis? (4)
‘Ash leaf’ spots under UV light = depigmented patches
Shagreen patches = roughened skin over lumbar spine
Adenoma sebaceum (angiofibromas) - facial, butterfly distribution
Subungual fibromata
(Cafe au lait spots - more often in NF)
What are the neurological features of tuberous sclerosis? (3)
Developmental delay
Intellectual impairment
Infantile spasms/partial seizures
What are the ‘other’ features of tuberous sclerosis? (6)
Retinal hamartomas = dense white areas on retina
Rhabdomyomas of heart
Gliomatous changes in brain lesions
Polycystic kidneys
Renal angiomyolipomata
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis -> multiple lung cysts
What is mononeuritis multiplex?
Simultaneous/sequential involvement of individual, non-contiguous nerve trunks
This causes acute/subacute sensory and motor loss in asymmetrical pattern
What are the Motor scores of GCS?
6 = obeys 5 = localises to pain 4 = withdraws from pain 3 = abnormal flexion 2 = extending from pain 1 = none
What are the Verbal scores of GCS?
5 = orientated 4 = confused 3 = words 2 = sounds 1 = none
What are the Eye scores of GCS?
4 = spontaneous 3 = speech 2 = pain 1 = none
What is Subacute Combined Degeneration of Spinal Cord?
Degeneration of dorsal and lateral columns due to vitamin B12 deficiency
Uncommon in UK, very common in the developing world
What type of fibres are carries in the corticospinal tract?
Voluntary motor fibre
Upper limbs are medial, lower limbs are lateral
What are the symptoms of Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord?
Loss of proprioception and vibration (dorsal column)
Then distal parasthesia
UMN signs in legs - brisk knee reflex, absent ankle reflex
What medication should you give someone with a cerebral oedema secondary to a brain tumour?
Dexamethasone IV
What is the triad of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
Wet, wobbly, wacky
Urinary incontinence
Gait ataxia
Dementia
What is the management of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
Ventriculoperitoneal shunting
10% risk of complications eg. seizure, infection, haemorrhage
What is the acute management of a migraine?
Triptan + Paracetamol
What is the prophylaxis for migraines?
Topiramate
Propranolol
What is an essential tremor?
Autosomal dominant tremor
Generally of both upper limbs
Often have family history
What makes an essential tremor better/worse?
Worse with arms outstretched
Better with alcohol/rest
What is the management of an essential tremor?
Propranolol
What is miosis?
Pupil constriction
What is ptosis?
Eyelid drooping
What does ptosis + dilated pupil indicate?
CN3 palsy
What does ptosis + constricted pupil indicate?
Horner’s syndrome
What is Weber’s syndrome?
Midbrain stroke
What are the features of Weber’s syndrome?
Ipsilateral CN3 palsy
Contralateral hemiplegia
What is a Chiari malformation?
Herniation of cerebellar tonsils through foramen magnum
What are the features of neuroleptic malignant syndrome? (6)
Pyrexia Muscle rigidity Hypertension Tachycardia Agitated delirium Confusion
What might bloods show in neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
Increased WCC, K+ and CK
Decreased Ca2+
What is the management of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
Stop antipsychotic
Transfer to ITU
IV fluids
Dantrolene
What is Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension?
Headache secondary to CSF leak
Generally from thoracic N root sleeve
What is spontaneous intracranial hypotension associated with?
Marfan’s
What are the symptoms of spontaneous intracranial hypotension?
Headache
Worse on standing, better with lying
What is the management of of spontaneous intracranial hypotension?
Fluids and caffeine
Epidural blood patch = 2nd line
What is the treatment of myasthenia gravis?
Neostigmine (long-acting AChE inhibitor)
What type of neuromuscular blocks are myasthenia gravis patients more sensitive to?
Non-polarising eg. Rocuronium
As fewer post-synaptic ACh receptors
What type of neuromuscular blocks are myasthenia gravis patients resistant to?
Polarising eg. Suxamethonium
Which medications may worse myasthenia gravis?
Beta-blockers
What may be found in the CSF of Multiple Sclerosis patients?
Oligoclonal bands
NOT found in blood
What should you do if a patient has GCS<8?
Get anaesthetist
Intubate and ventilate
What is the 1st line management of trigeminal neuralgia?
Carbamazepine
What is the management of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy?
Urgent spinal surgery referral
Decompression surgery within 6m
What other neurological condition is frontotemporal dementia associated with?
MND
What are the 4 types of MND?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Progressive Lateral Sclerosis
Progressive Muscular Atrophy
Bulbar Palsy
What are the main features of MNDs?
Fasciculations No sensory symptoms Mixed UMN and LMN signs Doesn't affect extraocular muscles No cerebellar signs
What do MND EMGs show?
Reduced action potentials with increased amplitude
Not required for diagnosis
What are the main functions of the common peroneal nerve?
Dorsiflexion and eversion of ankle
Posterolateral leg sensation
What are the main features of L5 radiculopathy?
Foot drop
Weakness of hip abduction
Sensory loss of big toe
Who gets idiopathic intracranial HTN?
Overweight females
What is the management of idiopathic intracranial HTN?
Lose weight
Acetazolamide/Topiramate
Repeated LPs if these fail
What is Lateral Medullary Syndrome?
Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery stroke
AKA Wallenberg’s syndrome
What are the features of Lateral Medullary Syndrome?
Ipsilateral FACIAL pain and temperature loss
Contralateral BODY pain and temperature loss
Ataxia
Nystagmus
What is Lateral Pontine Syndrome?
Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery stroke
What are the features of Lateral Pontine Syndrome?
Ipsilateral FACIAL pain/temp loss Ipsilateral FACIAL paralysis and deafness Contralateral BODY pain/temp loss Ataxia Nystagmus
Where must a lesion by above to result in autonomic dysreflexia?
Above T6
What is Lhermitte’s sign?
Patient bends their neck -> tingling in hands
Indicates disease near dorsal column
Seen in MS and SCDSc
What is Uhthoff’s phenomenon?
Worsening of vision following a rise in body temperature
Seen in MS
What does a CN3 palsy with dilated pupil indicate?
Surgical cause
Need urgent head CT to rule out bleed/aneurysm
What are some features indicative of temporal lobe epilepsy?
Lip-smacking/cloth plucking
Aura
Deja vu
Post-ictal dysphasia
How is the MRC muscle power score scored?
0 = no movement 1 = trace contraction 2 = movement with gravity eliminated 3 = movement vs gravity but not resistance 4 = movement vs resistance but weakened 5 = normal
What are the MOTOR peripheral neuropathies? (6)
Guillain-Barre syndrome Porphyria Lead poisoning HSMN (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Diphtheria
What are the SENSORY peripheral neuropathies? (6)
Diabetes Uraemia Leprosy Alcoholism B12 deficiency Amyloidosis
What are the features of a venous sinus thrombosis?
Gradual onset headache
N+V
Depends on sinus
What are the features specific to a sagittal sinus thrombosis?
Seizures
Hemiplegia
What are the features specific to a cavernous sinus thrombosis?
Periorbital oedema
Ophthalmoplegia - CN6 1st
Trigeminal N involvement -> hyperaesthesia of upper face and eye
Central retinal vein thrombosis
What are the features specific to a lateral sinus thrombosis?
CN6+7 palsy
What is the gold standard diagnostic investigation for venous sinus thrombosis?
MR venogram
What are the myotomes for upper limb reflexes?
Biceps = C5-6 Triceps = C7-8