posterior fossa pathology Flashcards
what happens to facial weakness in UMN lesion
opposite side lower half of face is weak. sparing of frontalis, preserved brow furrowing, eye closure and blinking unaffected
what happens to facial weakness in LMN lesion
ipsilateral weakness of all facial expression. angle of mouth falls, frowning and eye closure are weak. impaired taste sensation
what is the commonest cause UMN lesion leading to facial weakness
stroke with contralat hemiplegia
what happens if the facial nerve is damaged in the pons
loops around CN6 leading to lateral rectus palsy with unilat LMN weakness
what can cause facial weakness in the pons
tumour eg glioma, MS, infarction
what can be compressed with facial nerve in the cerebellopontine angle
5,6,8.
what can cause facial weakness in the cerebellopontine angle
acoustic neuroma, meningioma, mets
causes of facial nerve weakness in the petrous temporal bone
bells palsy, trauma, middle ear infection, herpes zoster
signs of damage at the petrous temporal bone
loss taste in ant 2/3 tongue. hyperacusis
what is Bells palsy
acute facial palsy thought to be due to viral infection causing swelling of the facial nerve in the tight petrous temporal bone facial canal
symptoms Bells palsy
unilateral LMN weakness developing over 24-48 hours, sometimes lost/altered sensation on the tongue, hyperacusis. pain behind ear common at onset
what does it mean if other cranial nerves are involved (if suspecting Bells palsy)
its not bells palsy
what can cause Bells palsy
Lyme disease in endemic areas, HIV seroconversion in Africa
treatment Bells
early corticosteroids- prednisolone 1mg/kg for 7 days. acyclovir and valaciclovir can be given in combination
come complications Bells
if cant blink can get exposure keratitis- lubricating eye drops. if severe weakness and cant close eye- need ophthal assessment. aberrant reinnervation of facial muscles eg twitching- late complication
prognosis Bells
good, 85% completely recover in 3-8 weeks even without specific treatment. rarely recurs
what may be helpful if recovery is not complete in Bells
cosmetic surgery
what does the trigeminal nerve do
mostly sensory but motor muscles of mastication
what happens in a 5th nerve lesion
unilateral sensory loss on the face. disminution of corneal reflex is an early sign
causes trigeminal lesion
brainstem- infarction, demyelination; CPA- acoustic neuroma, meningioma; tumour, infection
main risk factor for trigeminal neuralgia
hypertension. typically occurs 60-70+
what are the causes
ectatic vascular loop. in younger patients can be MS, CPA tumours
features trigeminal neuralgia
paroxysms of knife like or electric shock like pain which lasts seconds. in the distribution of the 5th nerve
which branch of V does trigeminal neuralgia commence
V3- mandibular. can spread to V2 maxillary and occasionally V1 ophthalmic
when would the TN be bilateral
demyelination. rare
what can stimulate TN
washing, shaving, cold wind, chewing
treatment TN
carbamazepine 600-1200mg a day. alternative- lamotrigine3, gabapentin, oxcarbazine