Passmed Neurology mushkies Flashcards
What causes a bitemporal hemianopia?
- Lesion of the optic chiasm
- Upper quadrant defect > lower quadrant defect = inferior chiasmal compression, commonly a pituitary tumour
- Lower quadrant defect > upper quadrant defect = superior chiasmal compression, commonly a craniopharyngioma
What would cause a left homonymous hemianopia?
Lesion of the right optic tract
What would cause homonymous quadrantanopia?
PITS
Parietal = inferior lesion
Temporal = superior lesion
What innervates the adductor pollicis?
The ulnar nerve
What does damage to the ulnar nerve result in?
Wasting of the hypothenar muscles, loss of thumb adduction, wasting of 1st web space and ulnar claw hand
How does radial nerve palsy present?
Wrist drop and loss of sensation from 1st dorsal web space
How does musculocutaneous nerve palsy present?
Reduced flexion at elbow and loss of supination
How does axillary nerve palsy present?
Wastage of deltoid muscles and loss of sensation from badge area
What are the 4 primitive reflexes?
Moro
Grasp
Rooting
Stepping
When do the primitive reflexes disappear?
All at 4 months except for stepping which disappears at 2 months
What are 2 differentials for an elderly man who has pain and weakness in both legs on walking that settles with rest?
- Lumbar spinal canal stenosis
2. Claudication
What muscles are supplied by the median nerve?
LOAF Lateral lumbricals Opponens pollicis Abductor pollicis brevis Flexor pollicis brevis
What are two tests for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Tinnels test and Phalens test
What is a cause of loss of fine motor function in both upper limbs?
Degenerative cervical myelopathy
What is a modifiable risk factor for degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Smoking
What is the characteristic pathological feature of Lewy body dementia?
Alpha synuclein cytoplasmic inclusions (Lewy bodies) in the substantia nigra, paralimbic and neocortical areas
What percentage of Alzheimer’s pts also have Lewy bodies?
40%
What are features of Lewy body dementia?
- Progressive cognitive impairment
- Parkinsonism
- Visual hallucinations
What can be used to diagnose Lewy body dementia?
DaTscan
What medications can be used to manage Lewy body dementias?
ACh inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine) and Memantine
Where, geographically, is MS more common?
At higher latitudes
What are established risk factors associated with MS?
- High latitudes (5x more common than in tropics)
- EBV
- Vit D deficiency
- Smoking
What are the 3 types of MS?
- Relapsing-remitting (85%)
- Primary Progressive (10%)
- Secondary Progressive (from RR)
What percentage of pts with RR MS go on to develop secondary progressive disease within 15 years of diagnosis?
65%
What is the definition for trigeminal neuralgia?
A unilateral disorder characterised by brief electric shock like pains, abrupt in onset and termination, limited to one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve
What are the causes of trigeminal neuralgia?
- Idiopathic
- Tumours
- Vascular
What is the first line treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?
Carbamazepine
What is the most common neurological sequalae of bacterial meningitis?
Deafness
When can anticoagulants for AF be started after an ischaemic stroke?
14 days
When should pts with a stroke be commenced on a statin?
If cholesterol >3.5mmol/l
When can thrombolysis with alteplase be given for stroke?
If haemorrhage has been excluded and it is administered within 4.5hrs of onset of stroke symptoms
What are absolute contrainidications for stroke thrombolysis?
- Previous intracranial haemorrhage
- Seizure at onset of stroke
- Intracranial neoplasm
- Suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage
- Stroke or traumatic brain injury in preceding 3 months
- Lumbar puncture in preceding 7 days
- Gastrointestinal haemorrhage in preceding 3 weeks
- Active bleeding
- Pregnancy
- Oesophageal varices
- Uncontrolled hypertension >200/120mmHg
When should thrombectomy be offered to patients?
Within 6 hours of symptom onset to pts with confirmed occlusion of the proximal anterior circulation demonstrated by CTA/MRA, or if b/w 6h and 24h if there is potentially salvageable brain tissue seen on CTA/MRA
When should a carotid endarterectomy be offered?
If carotid stenosis >70%/50% depending on which criteria you are looking at
What is the secondary prevention for stroke?
Clopidogrel + modified released dipyridamole in pts who have had an ischaemic stroke
Should dipyridamole be given in the acute treatment of ischaemic stroke?
No, should be given in the chronic setting after 14 day s
What are 4 drugs that can be given for post-herpetic neuralgia?
- Amitryptiline
- Duloxetine
- Gabapentin
- Pregabalin
What should be considered if a fall occurs soon after the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disesae?
An alternative diagnosis, most likely a Parkinsons plus syndrome such as PSP
What is a middle aged adult with insidious onset dementia and personality changes most likely to be?
Pick’s disease
What is the type of frontotemporal dementia which presents with the inability to produce speech and loss of literacy skills called?
Primary progressive aphasia
What are the 3 recognised types of Frontotemporal lobar degeneration?
- Frontotemporal dementia (Pick’s disease)
- Progressive non-fluent aphasia
- Semantic dementia
What kind of pain may precede paralysis in Bell’s palsy?
Post-auricular pain
If untreated, what percentage of Bells palsy pts develop moderate to severe weakness?
15%
What is the motor component of GCS?
- Obeys commands
- Localises to pain
- Withdraws from pain
- Abnormal flexion to pain (decorticate)
- Extension topain (decerebrate)
- None
What is the verbal component of GCS?
- Orientated
- Confused
- Words
- Sounds
- None
What is the eye component of GCS?
- Spontaneous
- To speech
- To pain
- None
How does a haemorrhagic stroke present?
Suddenly with a thunderclap headache
What nerve roots are responsible for the ankle reflex?
S1-2
What nerve roots are responsible for the patellar reflex?
L3-4
What nerve roots are responsible for the biceps reflex?
C5-6
What nerve roots are responsible for the triceps reflex?
C7-8
How long must people not drive for after a first unprovoked/isolated seizure?
6 months off if there are no relevant structural abnormalities on brain imaging and no definite epileptiform activity on EEG. If these conditions are not met then this is increased to 12 months
For patients with established epilepsy or those with multiple unprovoked seizures, when can they qualify for a driving license?
May qualify for a driving licence if they have been free from any seizure for 12 months
What are the driving restrictions for syncope?
- Simple faint = no restriction
- Single episode + explained + treated = 4w off
- Single episode + unexplained = 6m off
- 2+ episodes = 12m off
When can pts drive after a stroke/TIA?
1 month off driving, may not need to inform DVLA if no residual neurological deficit
What migraine prophylactic should be stopped in pregnant women due to risk of clift lip/palate?
Topiramate
When should migraine prophylaxis be given?
2 or more attacks per month
What is first line management of migraines?
Oral triptan and NSAID/paracetamol
What is the first line radiological investigation for suspected stroke>
Non-contrast CT head
What score can be used to help diagnose a stroke?
The ROSIER score
What are the components of the ROSIER score?
- LOC
- Seizure
- Acute asymmetric facial weakness
- Acute asymmetric arm weakness
- Acute asymmetric leg weakness
- Speech disturbance
- Visual field defect
What must be excluded before investigating a possible stroke further?
Hypoglycaemia
What ROSIER score suggests a stroke is likely?
> 0
Which muscular dystrophy presents later?
Becker’s muscular dystrophy
What is the inheritance pattern of dystrophinopathies?
X-linked recessive
What is the function of dystrophin?
Connects the muscle membrane to actin
When assessing GCS, should you use the best or worst responses from both sides?
The best responses
What are 3 features of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
- Progressive mental impairment and dementia
- Difficulty walking
- Impaired bladder control
What are the features of MSA?
- Parkinsonism
- Autonomic disturbance (atonic bladder, postural hypotension, erectile dysfunction)
- Cerebellar signs
What are the 2 predominant types of MSA?
- MSA-P = predominant Parkinsons features
2. MSA-C = predominant Cerebellar features
What medications are first line for migraine prophylaxis?
Topiramate or propranolol
What kind of 5-HT receptor medications are given for acute treatment and then for prophylaxis of migraine?
- 5-HT receptor agonists = acute treatment (e.g. triptans)
2. 5-HT receptor antagonists = prophylaxis (e.g. propranolol or topiramate)
What are the most common secondary brain tumours?
- Lung
- Breast
- Kidney
- Melanoma
- Colorectal
Where are the majority of adult brain tumours located?
Supratentorial
Where are the majority of childhood brain tumours located?
Infratentorial
What is the commonest primary brain tumour in adults?
Glioblastoma multiforme
What is the second most common primary brain tumour in adults?
Meningiomas
What structure do meningiomas typically arise from?
Dura mater
What do you see with glioblastoma multiforme on histology?
Pleomorphic tumour cells with border necrotic areas
What do you see with meningiomas on histology?
Spindle cells in concentric whorls and calcified psammoma bodies
What is the most common brain tumour in children?
Pilocytic astrocytoma
What do you see on histology of pilocytic astrocytomas?
Rosenthal fibres (corkscrew eosinophilic bundles)
What tumours are commonly seen in the 4th ventricle and may cause hydrocephalus?
Ependymomas
What brain tumour is associated with vHL?
Haemangioblastoma
What is the most common paediatric supratentorial tumour?
Craniopharyngioma
Where are craniopharyngiomas derived from?
Remnants of Rathke’s pouch
What may be seen with a meningioma on MRI that helps idenfity it?
A dural tail where the dura ‘connects’ to the dura
What does glioblastoma multiforme look like on imaging?
Solid tumours with central necrosis and a rim that enhances with contrast. There is disruption of the BBB and is therefore associated with vasogenic oedema
How does a pontine haemorrhage typically present?
Reduced GCS
Quadriplegia
Miosis
Absent horizontal eye movements
What are infantile spasms (Wests syndrome)?
A type of childhood epilepsy thich typically presents in the first 4-8 months of life and is more common in males. They are often associated with a serious underlying condition e.g. tuberous sclerosis
What is first line treatment for Wests syndrome?
Vigabatrin, and ACTH is also used
How does an ACA stroke present?
- Contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss, legs > arms
How does an MCA stroke present?
- Contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss, arms > legs
- Contralateral homonymous hemianopia
- Aphasia
How does a PCA stroke present?
- Contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing
2. Visual agnosia
How does Weber’s syndrome present?
- Ipsilateral CN III palsy
2. Contralateral weakness of upper and lower extremities
What arteries are affected in Weber’s syndrome?
Branches of posterior cerebral artery that supply the midbrain
What vessel is affected in lateral medullary syndrome and how does it present?
PICA
- Ipsilateral facial pain and temperature loss
- Contralateral limb/torso pain and temperature loss
- Ataxia, nystagmus
What vessel is affected in lateral pontine syndrome and how does it present?
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery
1. Ipsilateral facial paralysis and deafness
How does occlusion of the retinal/ophthalmic artery present?
Amaurosis fugax
How does occlusion of the basilar artery present?
Locked-in syndrome
What is Jacksonian march?
Where a simple partial seizure spreads from the distal part of the limb towards the ipsilateral face
What are the 3 key features that basic seizure classification is based on?
- Where seizures begin in the brain
- Level of awareness during a seizure
- Other features of seizure
Please discuss focal seizures
Focal seizures are ones that start in a specific area, on one side of the brain. The level of awareness can vary in focal seizures, and can thus be divided into simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures. Furthermore, focal seizures can be classified as being either motor (e.g. Jacksonian march) or non-motor (e.g. deja vu, jamais vu) or having other features such as aura
Please discuss generalised seizures
Generalised seizures involve networks on both sides of the brain at onset. By definition, consciousness is lost immediately. They can be dividied into motor and non-motor seizures. Specific types include tonic-clonic, tonic, clonic, absence, myoclonic and atonic
What is the management for a myasthenic crisis?
IVIG and plasma electrophoresis
What is the management for neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
Dantrolene and lorazepam
What is the management for a thyroid storm crisis?
IV hydrocortisone, propranolol, IV fluids
What are some features of myasthenia gravis?
- Muscle fatiguability
- Extraocular muscle weakness = diplopia
- Ptosis
- Dysphagia
- Proximal muscle weakness
What are 3 associations of myasthenia gravis?
- Thymic hyperplasia in 50=70%
- Thymoma in 15%
- Autoimmune disorder = pernicious anaemia, autoimmune thyroiditis, RA, SLE
What are the investigations for myasthenia gravis?
- Bedside = FEV
- Bloods = Anti-AchR. Anti-Muscle-specific tyrosine kinase
- Imaging = CT thorax (thymus)
- Special = Nerve conduction (EMG). Tensilon test
What is the management of myasthenia gravis?
- Conservative = assess FVC
- Medical = Steroids slowly increasing dose, steroid-sparing agent, pyridostigmine (long-acting AChesterease inhibitors)
- Surgical = Thymectomy
What nerve injury are mid-shaft humeral fractures associated with?
Radial nerve
What is the cause of wrist drop?
Radial nerve palsy
What is the MOA of ondansetron?
5-HT3 antagonist that acts in the CTZ of the medulla oblongata
What is found in the CSF of pts with MS?
Oligoclocal bands in the CSF of 80% MS patients. Elevated IgG levels is another common finding
When should degenerative cervical myelopathy be treated?
Ideally within 6m of diagnosis by neurosurgical services
How can you classify peripheral neuropathy?
Predominantly motor loss vs. predominantly sensory loss
What are the causes of peripheral neuropathy with a predominantly motor loss? x6
- GBS
- Porphyria
- Lead posoning
- HSMN e.g. CMT
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Diphtheria
What are the causes of a peripheral neuropathy with a predominantly sensory loss? x6
- DM
- Vit B12 deficiency
- Alcoholism
- Uraemia
- Leprosy
- Amyloidosis
What part of the spinal column is typically affected first by SCDC?
Dorsal columns
What are the diagnostic criteria for migraine?
A = at least 5 attacks fulfilling B-D B = 4-72hrs C = 2 of unilateral/pulsating/severe pain/avoidance of physical activity D = 1 of N+V/Photo+phonophobia E = Not attributed to another disorder
What are some possible aura symptoms?
- Motor weakness
- Double vision
- Visual symptoms affecting only one eye
- Poor balance
- Decreased level of consciousness
What are 5 causes of foot drop?
- L5 radiculopathy
- Sciatic nerve lesion
- Common peroneal nerve lesion
- Superficial/deep peroneal nerve lesion
- Central e.g. stroke
What is the most common cause of a foot drop?
Common peroneal nerve lesion (often secondary to compression at the neck of the fibula)
What else other than the hands can essential tremor affect?
The vocal chords
What is the 1st line drug in the management of ocular myasthenia gravis?
Pyridostigmine
What kind of medication should be avoided in pts with Lewy body dementia and why?
Neuroleptics e.g. haloperidol as it may cause irreversible parkinsonism
What can be given to treat REM sleep behaviour disturbances in LBD?
Clonazepam 30mins before bedtime
What is considered first line treatment for generalised seizures?
Sodium valproate
What is considered first line treatment for focal seizures?
Carbamazepine
What is used to treat absence seizurs?
Sodium valproate or ethosuximide
What may exacerbate absence and myoclonic seizures?
Carbamazepine
How can you differentiate between organic and non-organic lower leg weakness?
Hoover’s sign of leg paresis (relies upon the concept of synergistic contraction)
How does one perform Hoover’s sign?
If a patient is genuinely making an effort, the examiner would feel the ‘normal’ limb pushing downwards against their hand as the patient tries to lift the ‘weak’ leg. Noticing this is indicative of an underlying organic cause of the paresis. If the examiner, however, fails to feel the ‘normal’ limb pushing downwards as the patient tries to raise their ‘weak’ leg, then this is suggestive of an underlying functional weakness, also known as ‘conversion disorder’
How can you classify the way MS presents?
- Visual
- Sensory
- Motor
- Cerebellar
- Others
What are the visual features of MS?
- Optic neuritis
- Optic atrophy
- Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
- Uhthoff’s phenomenon
What are the sensory features of MS?
Pins/needles
Numbness
Trigeminal neuralgia
Lhermitte’s sign
What are the motor features of MS?
Spastic weakness: most commonly seen in the legs
What are the cerebellar features of MS?
Ataxia
Tremor
What are the ‘other’ features of MS?
Urinary incontinence
Sexual dysfunction
Intellectual dysfunction
What is Lhermitte’s sign?
Paraesthesiae in limbs on neck flexion
What is the treatment of status epilepticus?
- Buccal midazolam/IV lorazepam
- IV lorazepam
- IV phenytoin (phenobarbital if already on regular phenytoin)
- Rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia using thiopental sodium
What is second line treatment for generalised tonic-clonic seizures?
Lamotrigine or carbamazepine
What is the inheritance pattern for tuberous sclerosis?
Autosomal dominant
How can you classify the features of tuberous sclerosis?
- Cutaneous
- Neurological
- Other
What are the cutaneous features of tuberous sclerosis?
1. Ash leaf spots under UV 2 .Shagreen patch 3. Nose angiofibromas 4. Subungual fibromata 5. Cafe au lait spots
What are the neurological features of tuberous sclerosis?
- Developmental delay
- Epilepsy
- Intellectual impairment
What are the ‘other’ features of tuberous sclerosis? x5
- Retinal hamartomas
- Rhabdomyomas of the heart
- Gliomatous changes in the brain
- Polycystic kidneys
- Lymphoangioleiomyomatosis
What nerve may be injured in a Colles’ fracture?
Median nerve
What is autonomic dysreflexia?
A clinical syndrome which occurs in pts who have had a spinal cord injury at, or above the T6 spinal level, classically characterized by uncontrolled hypertension and bradycardia,
What causes the symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia?
AD is triggered by either noxious or non-noxious stimuli, resulting in sympathetic stimulation and hyperactivity.[6] The most common causes include bladder or bowel over-distension, from urinary retention and fecal compaction, respectively.[7] The resulting sympathetic surge transmits through intact peripheral nerves, resulting in systemic vasoconstriction below the level of the spinal cord lesion.[8] The peripheral arterial vasoconstriction and hypertension activates the baroreceptors, resulting in a parasympathetic surge originating in the central nervous system to inhibit the sympathetic outflow; however, the parasympathetic signal is unable to transmit below the level of the spinal cord lesion.[8] This results in bradycardia, vasodilation, flushing, pupillary constriction and nasal stuffiness above the spinal lesion, while there’s piloerection, pale and cool skin below the lesion due to the prevailing sympathetic outflow
How does autonomic dysreflexia present?
Extreme hypertension, flushing and sweating above the level of the cord lesion, and agitation. There is NO congruent increase in heart rate.
How can a raised ICP cause a third nerve palsy?
Trans-tentorial (uncal) herniation
What are the 4 main features of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
- Rigidity
- Hyperthermia
- Autonomic instability (hypotension, tachycardia)
- Altered mental status (confusion)
Why might U&Es be deranged in NMS?
It can cause AKI
What blood marker might be raised in NMS?
Creatine kinase
What is the management of NMS?
- Stop antipsychotic
- IV fluids to prevent renal failure
- Dantrolene
- Bromocriptine in selected cases
Where is the lesion in a Wernicke’s dysphasia?
Superior temporal gyrus, inferior division of left MCA
Where is the lesion in a conductive dysphasia?
Arcuate fasiculus, superior division of the left MCA
Where is the lesion in Broca’s dysphasia?
Inferior frontal gyrus
Where is the lesion in a global aphasia?
A large lesion affecting Wernicke’s + arcuate fasciculus + Broca’s area resulting in severe expressive and receptive aphasia
What nerve is at risk during shoulder dislocation?
Axillary nerve, it winds around the bone at the neck of the humerus
What roots are involved in Klumpke’s paralysis?
C8-T1
What roots are involved in Erb’s palsy?
C5-6
What does the common peroneal nerve supply?
The muscles of the peroneal and anterior compartment o the leg and sensation to the dorsum of the foot
What are 5 features of a common peroneal nerve lesion?
- weakness of foot dorsiflexion
- weakness of foot eversion
- weakness of extensor hallucis longus
- sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot and the lower lateral part of the leg
- wasting of the anterior tibial and peroneal muscles
What is the triad of Wernicke’s encephalopathy?
Confusion
Ataxia
Ophthalmoplegia
Why should folate never be given to a pt with a likely B12 deficiency?
It can worsen SCDC
What are the 2 main features of Korsakoff’s psychosis?
- Anterograde amnesia
2. Confabulation
What is the treament for an acute stroke once it is confirmed?
Aspirin 300 mg daily for 2 weeks then clopidogrel 75 mg daily long-term. A statin should also be offered.
What muscle does the 4th (trochlear) nerve supply?
The superior oblique (depresses eye, moves inwards)
What are the features of a 4th nerve palsy?
Vertical diplopia classically noticed when reading book or going down stairs
What is the most common cause of headache in children?
Migraine
What is a common trigger for cluster headaches?
Alcohol
What is the acute management of a cluster headache?
100% oxygen and subcutaneous triptan
What is cluster headache prophylaxis?
Verapamil
What are 2 causes of motor–only spinal lesions?
ALS and Poliomyelitis
What are 6 causes of combined motor-sensory spinal lesions?
- Brown-Sequard
- SCDC
- Friedrich’s ataxia
- Anterior spinal artery occlusion
- Syringomyelia
- MS
What is a cause of a sensory-only spinal lesion?
Tabes dorsalis
What is the MOA of memantine?
NMDA antagonist
What is the MOA of donepezil?
Cholinesterase inhibitor
Where would the lesion lie for an incongruous visual field defect?
Optic tract lesion
Where would the lesion lie for a congruous visual field defect?
Optic radiation lesion or occipital cortex
What is the mnemonic to help you remember the site of a homonymous quadrantanopia?
PITS
Where is the seizure if there is lip smacking and post-ictal dysphasia?
Temporal lobe
What are the features of a temporal lobe seizure?
HEAD
- Hallucinations = auditory/gustatory/olfactory
- Epigastric rising/emotional
- Automatisms = lip smacking/grabbing/plucking
- Deja vu/Dysphasie post-ctal
What are the features of a frontal lobe seizure?
Motor
- Head/leg movements
- Posturing
- Post-ictal weakness
- Jacksonian march
What are the features of a parietal lobe seizure?
Sensory = Paraesthesia
What are the features of an occipital lobe seizure?
Visual = Floaters/flashes
What is ROSIER an acronym for?
Recognition of Stroke in the Emergency Room
What is used to treat cerebral oedema in patients with brain tumours?
Dexamethasone
`What classically presents with a cape-like loss of pain and temperature sensation and why?
Syringomyelia, due to compression of the spinothalamic tract fibres decussating in the anterior white commissure of the spine
What is syringomyelia?
A collection of CSF within the spinal cord
What is syringobulbia?
A fluid filled cavity within the medulla of the brainstem
What are causes of a syringomyelia?
- Chiari malformation
- Trauma
- Tumours
- Idiopathic
How can you treat a persistent/symptomatic syrinx?
A shunt can be placed into the syrinx
Why is the COCP c/i for migraine?
Significantly increased risk of ischaemic stroke
What investigation should be performed in those under 55 with no obvious cause of a stroke?
Thrombophilia and autoimmune screening