Presentations/introduction to neurology Flashcards
What is ptosis, bulbar symptoms, diplopia characteristic of?
Myaesthenia gravis!
What is bulbar palsy?
Bulbar palsy refers to a set of signs and symptoms linked to the impaired function of the lower cranial nerves, typically caused by damage to their lower motor neurons or to the lower cranial nerve itself. The impacted cranial nerves are a set of nerves that arise straight from the brainstem and include cranial nerves IX (9), X (10), XI (11), and XII (12). Lower motor neurons are the neurons that connect the central nervous system, such as the brain and spinal cord, to the muscles they innervate.
What is hemiplegic gait?
Abduction and circumduction of the affected limb in patients with UMN lesion affecting the leg
What is spastic gait?
Scissoring gait found in spastic paraplegia
What is steppage gait?
Patients with footdrop the high stepping gait lifts the foot to avoid catching the toes, can be bilateral
What is ataxic gait?
Road bases, uncoordinated, unsteady gait characteristic of cerebellar syndromes or where is loss of proprioception
What is waddling gait?
In muscular dystrophy weakness of the trunk and pelvis result in an exaggerated lumbar lordosis and tilting of the pelvis toward the non weight bearing side with each step
What is a stamping gait?
Loss of proprioception the gait is ataxic with the advancing leg lifted too high and brought down with a solid stamp
What is parkinsonian gait?
Forward flexed, shuffling gait with reduced arm swing
What is antalgic gait?
If there is pain on weight bearing in one leg the step on that side is short, the foot is brought down gingerly and the step completed as quickly as possible resulting in a limp
What does suddenly usually mean in neurology?
Vascular
What would a hemiparesis/hemisensory problems point to?
They would point to problems with the brain (left or right)
What would visual disturbances point to?
Point to the brain
What sits in the brainstem?
Cranial nerves
Motor pathways to the limbs
Sensory nerves from the limbs
Sympathetic pathway down the lateral pathway- horners syndrome
Combination of these symptoms point to a location of the brainstem
What would you expect in a spinal cord lesion?
Para or quadripesis in terms of distribution
What would you expect with problems with the motor pathway?
You would expect upper and lower motor neurone signs
What would you expect with damage to nerve roots?
They are characteristically very painful if you squash or inflame them
Dermatomal sensory loss
Myotomal weakness
Loss of reflexes at the appropriate levels
What is the buzzword for myaesthenia gravis, and what points to neuromusclar junctions being affected?
Fatigue ability
No sensory impact
What would you expect if there was a problem with muscle?
Proximal weakness
Dont expect sensory involvement
What would your differentials be if there was a motor and sensory disturbance in all four limbs and what would you expect to see in both…
Cervical cord lesion vs peripheral neuropathy
Cervical cord lesion- UMN and a sensory level
Peripheral neuropathy- LMN and glove/stocking distribution of sensory loss
What would an up-going plantar reflex indicate?
UMN lesion
What would a horners syndrome indicate?
It indicates a sympathetic problem on the same side
What should you assess when assessing motor symptoms?
Observation Tone Clonus Power- pyramidal, long tract, UMN Reflexes- root values- best mnemonic Plantars Hoffmans(reflexes)
What is bulbar palsy?
Refers to speech and swallowing difficulties
What can movement disorders involve?
They can be hyperkinetic with additional involuntary movements
Hypokinetic with stiffness and slowness (seen in parkinsons)
What is the frontal lobe responsible for?
Personality Exucative activity (more comolex actions- zipping coat/ driving)
What does the temporal lobe do?
It has the primary auditory cortex
What is the role of the occipital lobe?
Has the primary visual pathways
What does the parietal lobe?
Has a role in interpretating input from frontal, temporal, occipital
What is the cerebellum responsible for?
Fine motor control