Sketchy Path: Neuro - "Guillain-Barré & Charcot-Marie-Tooth" Flashcards
Describe the pathophysiology of Guillain-Barré.
It is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy, most often due to post-infectious state with molecular mimicry.
(Think of the sleepin bags –representing myelin –around the fire –inflammation.)
The most frequent cause of GBS is ______________.
Campylobacter jejuni (like the coiled, Gram-negative rod in the fire)
Other than C. jejuni, ______________ have also been shown to cause GBS.
viruses (HIV, CMV, EBV)
Think of the dodecahedral lamp.
Which immune cells/molecules are involved in GBS?
- Helper T cells (sister HELPing with the cage)
- Macrophages (cage)
- Humoral (antibody s’more skewers)
- Complement (compliment high five)
The classic symptom pattern of GBS is ________________.
- Symmetric ascending paralysis (like the dad with his shoes tied together SYMMETRICALLY)
- Hyporeflexia (dropped reflex hammer)
List two features of severe GBS.
- Bell’s palsy (bear with BELL collar)
* Respiratory failure (dad turning blue)
Review the LP findings of GBS.
High protein but normal WBC count (called albumino-cytologic dissociation)
(Think of the sign in the background with the elevated antibody skewers held by the SINGLE WHITE figure.)
Review the pathophysiology of Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
- Autosomal dominant disorder (domino handbag)
* Failure of peripheral myelin to develop (Marie tripping over sleeping bag on the periphery)
What is the classic presentation of CMT?
- Progressive ascending paralysis in the first or second decade of life, often starting with the common peroneal nerve (like the young woman dropping her foot)
- Arching of the foot called pes cavus (arched woman’s foot)
- Glove-and-stocking numbness (woman’s gloves and socks)
- Kyphoscoliosis (bent tree)
How do you definitively diagnose CMT?
Electromyography
