Pattern Recognition in Neurology Flashcards
How do vascular or traumatic neurological problems present?
Most severe at the start (i.e. thunderclap headache, stroke etc)
What percentage of right handed people have a dominant left hemisphere?
> 99%
What hemisphere is dominant in left handed people?
50% chance of right hemisphere dominance
Possibly, 80% of people have bilateral representation
How does Broca’s aphasia present?
Non-fluent aphasia
Good comprehension
Assoc. contralateral hemiparesis if nearby motor strip is involved
Where is Broca’s area?
In the dominant inferior frontal gyrus
How does Wernicke’s aphasia present?
Fluent speech but nonsensical
Poor auditory comprehension
Poor awareness of their condition
Where is Wernicke’s area?
In the dominant superior temporal gyrus
What is a textbook sign that differentiates a CNS disorder from a PNS disorder?
Spasticity of upper limb flexors and leg extensors
- Arm stays flexed and leg stays straight and swings when walking
What pattern of sensory loss & weakness is textbook for brainstem lesions?
Facial weakness on one side and body weakness on the contralateral side
Arm weakness but normal legs
What is the pattern of weakness and sensory loss in brown-sequard syndrome?
Weakness in one leg but sensory loss in the other
What is the most common patterns of weakness/sensory loss in a CNS issue?
Paraplegia
Hemiplegia
What is the pattern of weakness in PNS lesions?
Peripheral or localized area (i.e. footdrop)
Can be a whole limb in a plexus issue
Is pain most common in PNS or CNS issues?
PNS
What areas are effected in NMJ issues?
Ocular & bulbar issues
Large proximal muscles
Are sensory symptoms possible in a NMJ issue?
No
