Peripheral Nerves and Neuropathies Flashcards

1
Q

Functional Organization of PNS

PNS is divided into two divisions, what are they = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Functional Organization of PNS:

- PNS is divided into two divisions:

  1. Sensory (afferent) Division
  2. Motor (efferent) Division
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2
Q

Functional Organization of PNS

PNS - Sensory (afferent) division relays what information ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Functional Organization of PNS:

- PNS - Sensory (afferent) division information;

(1) Somatic Sensory :

  • General: Touch, pain, pressure, vibration, temp, and propriception in skin, body wall, and limbs.
  • Special: Hearing, equilibrium, vision.

(2) Visceral Sensory :

  • General: Stretch, pain, temp, chemical changes, and irratiation in viscera; nausea and hunger.
  • Special: Taste, smell
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3
Q

Functional Organization of PNS

Motor (efferent) division relays what information ?

A

Functional Organization of PNS:

- Motor (efferent) division information;

(1) Somatic Nervous System:

  • Motor innervation of all skeletal muscles.

(2) Autonomic Nervous System (ANS):

  • Motor innervation of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.
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4
Q

Functional Organization of PNS

Two divisions of ANS

A

Functional Organization of PNS:

- Two divisions of ANS =

  1. Sympathetic
  2. Parasympathetic
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5
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes = ?

3 things

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) includes:

  • Cranial nerves
  • Spinal nerves
  • Peripheral nerves
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6
Q

Peripheral Nerves

Supply both the _ ? _ , and _ ? _ structures.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Peripheral Nerves:

Supply both the viscera ( autonomic ), and somatic structures.

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7
Q

Peripheral Nerves

Peripheral nerves are usually mixed: consisting of the _ ? _ , _ ? _ , and _ ? _ axons.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Peripheral Nerves:

Peripheral nerves are usually mixed: consisting of the sensory , autonomic , and motor axons.

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8
Q

Peripheral Nerves

Peripheral axons are classified according to _ ? _ , and _ ? _ of conduction

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Peripheral Nerves:

Peripheral axons are classified according to diameter , and speed of conduction (e.g., Ia, Ib, II, Adelta, and C).

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9
Q

Plexus and nerves…

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Cervical region / Anterior (ventral) division = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Plexus & Nerves:

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Cervical region / Anterior (ventral) division = Cervical plexus, brachial plexus
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10
Q

Plexus and nerves…

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Thoracic region /Anterior division = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Plexus & Nerves:

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Thoracic region /Anterior division = Intercostal nerves
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11
Q

Plexus and nerves…

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Lumbar region / Anterior division = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Plexus & Nerves:

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Lumbar region / Anterior division = Lumbar plexus, Sacral plexus
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12
Q

Plexus and nerves…

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Sacral region = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Plexus & Nerves:

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Sacral region = Sacral plexus, Lumbosacral plexus
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13
Q

Plexus and nerves…

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Coccygeal region = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Plexus & Nerves:

- The ventral rami innervates skin and muscles on the anterior aspect of the trunk, limbs, also provide the spinal contributions to all major neural plexuses.

- As such, they are responsible for the majority of the body’s sensorimotor innervation:

  • Coccygeal region = Coccygeal plexus
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14
Q

Cervical Plexus

  • Anterior rami of = ?
  • Provides cutaneous sensory information from the _ ? _ to the _ ? _.
  • Innervates the _ ? _ muscles, and _ ? _.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Cervical Plexus:

  • Anterior rami of C1 - C4
  • Provides cutaneous sensory information from the posterior scalp to the clavicle.
  • Innervates the anterior neck muscles, and diaphragm .

Cutaneous Sensory Information

  • The information that the skin sends to the central nervous system about touch , pressure , vibration , temperature , and pain .
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15
Q

Brachial Plexus

  • Anterior rami of ? - T1
  • Entire _ ? _ is innervated by the brachial plexus branches.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Brachial Plexus:

  • Anterior rami of C5 - T1
  • Entire upper limb is innervated by the brachial plexus branches
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16
Q

Lumbar Plexus

  • Branches innervate the skin and muscles of the _ ? _ and _ ? _ .

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Lumbar Plexus:

  • Branches innervate the skin and muscles of the anterior and medial thigh .
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17
Q

Sacral Plexus

  • Innervates the ? , as well as, most of the ? and ?.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Sacral Plexus:

  • Innervates the posterior thigh , and most of the leg & foot .
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18
Q

Peripheral Nerves

Consist of parallel bundles of axons (neurons) surrounded by three connective tissue sheaths:

  • ? = Separates individual axons.
  • ? = Surrounds bundles of axon (fascicles).
  • ? = Encloses the entire nerve trunk.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Peripheral Nerves:

- Consist of parallel bundles of axons (neurons) surrounded by three connective tissue sheaths:

  • Endoneurium = Separates individual axons.
  • Perineurium = Surrounds bundles of axon (fascicles).
  • Epineurium = Encloses the entire nerve trunk.
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19
Q

Signs of peripheral damage

Include:

  • = _ ? _ changes
  • = _ ? _ changes
  • _ ? _ changes
  • = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Signs of peripheral damage =

  • Sensory changes
  • Autonomic changes
  • Motor changes
  • Denervation : trophic changes

Trophic changes are abnormalities
that affect the area of pain, such as:

  • Wasting of the skin, tissues, or muscle
  • Thinning of the bones
  • Changes in hair or nail growth
  • Pitting of the nails
  • Increased or decreased hair growth in the limb
  • Changes in skin tone
  • Changes in skin texture
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20
Q

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening?

Class I = ?

  • Type A = ?
  • Type B = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening:

  • Class I
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21
Q

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening?

  • Class II = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening:

  • Class II
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22
Q

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening?

  • Class III = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening:

  • Class III
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23
Q

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening?

  • Class IV = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening:

  • Class IV
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24
Q

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening?

  • Class V = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Nerve Injury – What’s Happening:

  • Class V
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25
Q

Traumatic Injury to a Peripheral Nerve - Mononeuropathy

Depending on the severity of damage, traumatic injuries to peripheral nerves are classified into three categories:

  1. = ?
  2. = ?
  3. = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Mononeuropathy:

  1. Traumatic myleinopathy
  2. Traumatic axonopathy
  3. Traumatic severance
26
Q

Classification of Neuropathies - Mononeuropathy

- Neuropathy = Mononeuropathy (Traumatic myleinopathy )

  • Usual Cause = ?
  • Pathology = ?
  • Typical Recovery = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Neuropathy = Mononeuropathy (Traumatic myleinopathy )

  • Usual Cause = Trauma
  • Pathology = Demyelination
  • Typical Recovery = Complete and rapid by remyelination
27
Q

Classification of Neuropathies - Mononeuropathy

- Neuropathy = Mononeuropathy (Traumatic axonopathy )

  • Usual Cause = ?
  • Pathology = ?
  • Typical Recovery = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Neuropathy = Mononeuropathy (Traumatic axonopathy )

  • Usual Cause = Trauma
  • Pathology = Axonal damage
  • Typical Recovery = Slow by regrowth of axons, complete because Schwann cells and connective tissue sheath remain intact.
28
Q

Classification of Neuropathies - Mononeuropathy

- Neuropathy = Mononeuropathy (Traumatic severance )

  • Usual Cause = Trauma
  • Pathology = ?
  • Typical Recovery = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Neuropathy = Mononeuropathy (Traumatic severance )

  • Usual Cause = Trauma
  • Pathology = Axon and myelin degeneration
  • Typical Recovery = Slow with poor results
29
Q

Classification of Neuropathies

- Neuropathy = Multiple Mononeuropathy

  • Usual Cause = ?
  • Pathology = ?
  • Typical Recovery = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

- Neuropathy = Multiple Mononeuropathy

  • Usual Cause = Complication of blood vessel disease / inflammation / diabetes
  • Pathology = Ischemia of neuron
  • Typical Recovery = Slow by regrowth of axons
30
Q

Classification of Neuropathies

- Neuropathy = Polyneuropathy

  • Usual Cause = ?
  • Pathology = ?
  • Typical Recovery = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

- Neuropathy = Multiple Mononeuropathy

  • Usual Cause = Complication of diabetes/ autoimmune disorder (GBS) or genetic.
  • Pathology = Metabolic or inflammatory
  • Typical Recovery = Diabetic neuropathy may be stable, progressive or improve with better blood glucose control; GBS improves gradually; hereditary is slow progressive.
31
Q

Mononeuropathy

Focal neuropathies are conditions in which you typically have damage to a single nerve; most often in the…

  • _ ? _ ,
  • _ ? _ ,
  • _ ? _ ,
  • _ ? _

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Mononeuropathy:

  • Focal neuropathies are conditions in which you typically have damage to a single nerve; most often in the hand , head , torso , or leg .
  • This type of nerve damage is less common
32
Q

Traumatic Myelinopathy

- Refers to the loss of myelin limited to the site of injury.

  • Peripheral myelinopathy interferes with the function of _ ? _ .

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Mononeuropathy- Traumatic Myelinopathy:

- Refers to the loss of myelin limited to the site of injury.

  • Peripheral myelinopathy interferes with the function of large-diameter axons (light touch / proprioceptive deficits ).
33
Q

Focal compression of a peripheral nerve causes = _ ? _

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Mononeuropathy- Traumatic Myelinopathy:

- Focal compression of a peripheral nerve causes traumatic myelinopathy .

  • Repeated mechanical stimuli may cause focal compression.
34
Q

Myelinopathy Prognosis = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Mononeuropathy- Traumatic Myelinopathy:

  • Myelinopathy Prognosis = Good in cases of focal compression
  • Schwann cells can remyelinate

Mononeuropathy

35
Q

Traumatic _ ? _ ,
results in Wallerian degeneration.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Mononeuropathy/ Traumatic Axonopathy - Axon Damage:

Mononeuropathy

36
Q

Axonopathies affect all sizes of axons; reflexes, somatosensorial, and motor functions are significantly _ ? _ .

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Mononeuropathy/ Traumatic Axonopathy - Axon Damage:

  • Axonopathies affect all sizes of axons; reflexes, somatosensorial, and motor functions are significantly reduced or absent
  • Regenerating axons (axon regrowth) may re-innervate targets
37
Q

Axon Repair

  • Prognosis improved if = ?
  • Axonal regrowth, how much per day / month ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Axon Repair:

- Prognosis improved if support structures intact.

  • Endoneurium , Perineurium , Epineurium

- Axonal regrowth: 1-2 mm / day , 1 inch / month .

  • Axonal Sprouting : Intact axons take over, results in changes in motor unit morphology.
38
Q

Traumatic Severance

_ ? _ , and _ ? _ are completely interrupted, causing immediate loss of sensation and/or muscle paralysis in the area supplied.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Traumatic Severance:

- Occurs when nerves are physically divided by excessive stretching or a laceration.

  • Axons and connective tissue are completely interrupted, causing immediate loss of sensation and/or muscle paralysis in the area supplied.
  • Wallerian degeneration begins, later axons in the proximal stumps begin to sprout.
  • Regeneration, however, may not always be functional, if the sprouts reach inappropriate targets or end-organs, resulting in poor recovery
39
Q

Repair of Severance

  • Requires = ?
  • Prognosis typically = ?
  • If no neurologic recovery, surgeries like = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Repair of Severance:

  • Requires surgical intervention
  • Prognosis typically poor
  • If no neurologic recovery, surgeries like tendon transfers may improve function.
40
Q

_ ? _ neuropathy =

  • Involves two or more nerves in different parts of the body; individual nerves are affected, producing a random, asymmetrical presentation of signs.
  • Occurs when diabetes or vasculitis cause ischemia of the nerves.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Multiple Mononeuropathy:

  • Involves two or more nerves in different parts of the body; individual nerves are affected, producing a random, asymmetrical presentation of signs.
  • Occurs when diabetes or vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) cause ischemia of the nerves
41
Q

Multiple Mononeuropathy produces a random, _ ? _ presentation of signs.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Multiple Mononeuropathy:

  • Involves two or more nerves in different parts of the body; individual nerves are affected, producing a random , asymmetrical presentation of signs.
42
Q

_ ? _ neuropathy =

Hallmark signs include symmetrical involvement of sensory, motor, and autonomic fibers, often progressing from distal to proximal .

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Polyneuropathy:

- Neuropathy involving multiple (poly) nerves in the body

  • Hallmark signs include symmetrical involvement of sensory, motor, and autonomic fibers, often progressing from distal to proximal .

Distal symmetrical polyneuropathy

43
Q

Polyneuropathy

  • Symptoms typically begin in the (hands or feet) = ?
  • Upper or Lower motor neuron = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Polyneuropathy:

- Symptoms typically begin in the feet and then appear in the hands and areas of the body supplied by the longest axons ( length-dependent )

  • Stocking and glove pattern
  • Polyneuropathies are NOT the result of trauma.
  • Multiple variants, but we will focus on most common presentations.
  • Lower motor neuron
44
Q

Stocking and glove pattern, makes you think ?

  • (a) Traumatic myleinopathy
  • (b) Traumatic axonopathy
  • (c) Multiple mononeuropathy
  • (d) Polyneuropathy

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A
  • Stocking and glove pattern*** , makes you think ?
  • (a) Traumatic myleinopathy
  • (b) Traumatic axonopathy
  • (c) Multiple mononeuropathy
  • (d) Polyneuropathy
45
Q

What kind of neuropathy…

A = ?
B = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Mononeuropathy vs. Polyneuropathy:

  • A = Multiple Mononeuropathy
  • B = Polyneuropathy

Notes:

- Length-dependent

- Terminals of longest nerves affected, therefore:

  • Distal symmetrical
  • Distally affected first
  • Motor loss, sensory loss, autonomic dysfunction
46
Q

Polyneuropathy

Most common causes = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Polyneuropathy:

- Causes are NOT trauma, can be toxic, metabolic or autoimmune.

- Most common causes include

  • Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
  • Nutritional deficiencies secondary to alcoholism
  • Autoimmune diseases (GBS).

- A variety of therapeutic drugs (CIPN), industrial and agricultural toxins, and nutritional disorders can cause polyneuropathy

47
Q

Diabetic Polyneuropathy

  • Primary presenting factor = ?
  • Can also lead to = ?

Can also lead to … (what impairments)

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Diabetic Polyneuropathy:

  • Present in up to 90% of patients with DM
  • Pathogenesis not fully understood, although hyperglycemia felt to be involved.
  • Pain is primary presenting factor, often worse at night, burning to tingling like pins and needles.
  • Presence of allodynia (pain response from non-painful stimulus).
  • Can also lead to somatosensory impairments, loss / impaired sensation, sores / blisters, delayed wound healing, loss of toe / foot (Loss of balance/ falls).
48
Q

Hallmark is midfoot collapse with “rocker-bottom” foot = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Charcot Foot:

  • Interaction of multiple factors within DM polyneuropathy.
  • Hallmark is midfoot collapse with “rocker-bottom” foot.
  • High risk for breakdown, orthotics usually necessary.
49
Q

Medications associated with the medical management of DM Polyneuropathy include = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Medical Management of DM Polyneuropathy:

- Improve glycemic control

- Treatment of pain challenging, and pain management judged effective if 50% reduction in pain

- Medications:

  • Anticonvulsants : Analgesia and improved sleep.
  • Antidepressants : First line treatment.
  • Opioids : 2nd or 3rd line treatment
  • Topical agents : fewer side effects than medications and include capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches.
50
Q

PT for DM Polyneuropathy should focus on = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

PT for DM Polyneuropathy:

- Exercise: Improve glycemic control, anti-depressive effects

  • Address balance/gait impairments from proprioception deficits.

- Address strength deficits: according to prognosis and treatment goals

  • Consider whether patient deconditioned

- Orthoses are frequently used to stabilize weight-bearing joints

  • Prevent sprains and strains.
  • Prevent dropping of the forefoot during gait in cases of paresis or paralysis of the tibialis anterior muscle
  • Prevent deformities from paresis, paralysis, and lack of sensation.

- Sensory deficits

51
Q

DM Polyneuropathy

Keys to foot care = ?

think shoes

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Foot Care:

  • Wash your feet with soap in warm, NOT hot, water, 90° - 95° F is safe, or your elbow to test the warmth of the water.
  • After washing and drying your feet, put talcum powder or cornstarch between your toes.

- Shoe Info:

  • Wear shoes, that fit & protect your feet, and socks all the time.
  • - Walking shoes and athletic shoes are good for daily wear.
  • DO NOT wear vinyl or plastic shoes, because they do not stretch or “breathe.”
  • Buy shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are the largest, so that you can find the best fit.
52
Q

Alcoholic & Vitamin Deficiency Polyneuropathy

  • Primary Treatment = ?
  • Secondary Treatment = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Alcoholic and Vitamin Deficiency Polyneuropathy:

  • Primary Treatment : Abstain from alcohol, vitamin supplements, improve nutrition.
  • Secondary Treatment : Medications and therapy similar to DM polyneuropathy.

- Notes:

  • Vitamin deficiencies include B1 (thiamine), B6, B12, folate, niacin, and vitamin E.
  • Nutrition usually poor
  • Symptoms similar to DM polyneuropathy
53
Q

_ ? _ neuropathy =

Can be caused by the neurotoxic effects of many cancer agents, and has symptoms similar to DM polyneuropathy.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Chemotherapy Induced Polyneuropathy:

  • Also called Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
  • Neurotoxic effects of many cancer agents.
  • Symptoms similar to DM polyneuropathy.
  • Treated medically similar to DM polyneuropathy.
54
Q

? Syndrome =

  • Involves acute inflammation and demyelination of peripheral sensory and motor fibers.
  • In 2/3 of cases it is preceded by an intestinal infection.
  • Symmetrical motor loss in legs, then in trunk and arms, motor involvement is more severe.
  • Absent/ diminished reflexes
  • In severe cases, respiratory involvement.

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Guillain-Barré Syndrome:

  • Involves acute inflammation and demyelination of peripheral sensory and motor fibers.
  • Occurs 2-3 weeks after a mild infection.
  • In 2/3 of cases it is preceded by an intestinal infection that activates the immune system causing production of an antibody that mistakenly cross-reacts with the myelin sheath.
55
Q

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Diagnosis

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Guillain-Barré Syndrome - Diagnosis:

  • Evaluation guides treatment, during the evaluation we should look for patterns. We (PT) should surround abnormality with normality.
56
Q
  • Dysfunction of peripheral nerves and the muscles they innervate can be evaluated by _ ? _ .

BONUS = What information does this give us ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Electrodiagnostic Studies:

  • Dysfunction of peripheral nerves and the muscles they innervate can be evaluated by electrodiagnostic studies.
  • BONUS = Recording electrical activity from nerves and muscles by nerve conduction and EMG studies reveal the pathologic location & are often diagnostic.
  • Studies can be diagnostic as well as prognostic
57
Q

Nerve Conduction Studies =

- The application of external current and record response from large diameter, myelinated axons.

  • What does a segment with slow nerve conduction indicate = ?
  • Three key parameters = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Nerve Conduction Studies = The application of external current and record response from large diameter, myelinated axons.

  • Response depends upon site of stimulation and location of recording electrodes.
  • Slow nerve conduction across the site of damage w/ normal conduction in the axon segment proximal and distal to the injury.

- Key parameters:

  1. Latency : Time from stimulus to response.
  2. Velocity : Speed of conduction across segment.
  3. Amplitude
58
Q

Electromyography

  • What is it = ?
  • What are these used to investigate = ?
  • Two key parameters = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Electromyography:

  • Insertion of recording electrode (needle) into muscle, view and listen to electrical activity of muscle.
  • Generally investigates axonal & muscular integrity.

- Key parameters :

  1. Insertional and rest activity
  2. Recruitment activity
59
Q

In patients 50 y/o or older, the presence of two or three signs correlate highly with peripheral neuropathy.

  • What are the three signs = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

Clinical Testing:

- Presence of two or three signs correlate highly with electrodiagnostic evidence of peripheral neuropathy.

  • Absence of ankle jerk reflex
  • Impaired vibration
  • Impaired position sense of the great toe
60
Q

Distinguising Peripheral F/ Central Nervous System

- Distribution of signs & symptoms :

  • PNS = ?
  • CNS = ?

- Nerve conduction study :

  • PNS = ?
  • CNS = ?

- Muscle tone :

  • PNS = ?
  • CNS = ?

- Muscle atrophy :

  • PNS = ?
  • CNS = ?

- Phasic stretch reflex :

  • PNS = ?
  • CNS = ?

Peripheral Nerves & Neuropathies

A

- Distribution of signs & symptoms :

  • PNS = Peripheral nerve pattern
  • CNS = Dermatomal or myotomal pattern

- Nerve conduction study :

  • PNS = Slowed or blocked conduction; decreased amplitude or recorded potentials
  • CNS = Normal

- Muscle tone :

  • PNS = Lower motor neuron involvement; hypo-tonia
  • CNS = Upper motor neuron involvement; hyper-tonia

- Muscle atrophy :

  • PNS = Rapid muscle atrophy indicates denervation
  • CNS = Muscle atrophy progresses slowly

- Phasic stretch reflex :

  • PNS = Reduced or absent
  • CNS = Hyperactive or normal