Step Up - Neuro Flashcards
Define TIA. What is the pathophysiology (2)? How does it resolve (2)? What is the risk of stroke following TIA? How is it treated?
1) TIA = neurologic deficit lasting less than 24 hours. Differentiated from stroke based on duration of symptoms
2) Pathophys: caused by emboli, or transietn hypotension due to carotid stenosis
3) Collateral reperfusion or break-up of emboli
4) 10% per year. 30% 5-yr risk of stroke
5) Tx: modify cardiac risk factors to prevent stroke
What are the major (2) and minor risk (9) factors for stroke?
1) HTN and age
2) smoking, DM, hyperlipidemia, Afib, CAD, Fam Hx, past TIA, carotid bruits, hypercoagulable states
What are four major causes of ischemic stroke?
1) Emboli - origin: heart, internal carotid, aorta, paradoxical (requires heart defect)
2) Thombotic - atheroscleotic plaques in large and medium sized vessels
3) Lacunar stroke - small vessel thrombotic disease
4) Nonvacular causes - low CO, anoxia
Briefly describe the deficits seen in the following ischemic strokes: anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, vetebral/basilar, Lacunar (internal capsule, pons, thalamus)
1) Anterior - contralateral lower extremity and face
2) Middle - aphasia, contralateral hemiparesis
3) Vertebral/Basilar - ataxia, diplopia, dysphagia, dysarthria, vertigo, hemianopsia
4) Lacunar - IC: pure motor hemiparesis
5) Lacunar - Pons: dysarthria, clumsy hand
6) Lacunar - Thalamus: Pure sensory deficit
How are ischemic strokes treated (4)?
1) Supportive - airway, oxygen, IV fluids
2) tPA - if within 3 hours (contraindicated if: uncontrolled HTN, bleeding disorder, anticoagulants, recent surgery)
3) Aspirin or clopidogrel - if >3 hours
4) BP control if >220/120 or if receiving tPA
How are ischemic strokes prevented (3)?
1) Artherosclerosis
a) control RF: HTN, DM, smoking, high lipids
b) ASA
c) Surgery - carotid endarterectomy if >70% occluded and symptomatic.
2) Embolic - ASA
3) Lacunar - HTN control
What are the causes and complications of an intracerebral hemorrhage ()? What area of the brain is most commonly affected?
1) Caused by rapid elevation of BP
2) Complications: high ICP, seizure, vasospasm, hydrocephalus, SIADH
3) Basal ganglia
How is intracerebral hemorrhage treated (3)?
1) ICU and ABCs
2) BP control if >160/105, nitroprusside
3) Mannitol to reduce ICP if elevated
What are the clinical features of a subarchanoid hemorrhage (5)?
1) sudden and severe headache
2) LOC
3) vomiting
4) Meningismus - nuchal rigidity, photphobia
5) retinal hemorrhage
How is subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosed (3)?
1) Noncontrast CT
2) Perform LP (confirm no elevated ICP fisrt)
- xanthochromia is diagnostic (lysed RBCs)
3) CTA
How is SAH treated (7)?
1) Surgical - clipping of aneurysms
2) Medical
a) rest in dark room
b) stool softeners to prevent straining (ICP)
c) Analgesia for headache
d) IV fluids
e) Control BP
f) CCB (nifedipine) to counter vasospasm
Describe the pathophysiology of parkinsons disease. What are the clinical features (9)?
1) loss of dopaminergic drive in basal ganglia (substantia nigra), leading to cholinergic dominance
2) Features: pill-rolling tremor at rest, bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, stooped posture, expressionless facies, dyarthria and dysgraphia, dementia, autonomic dysfunction (orthostatic hypotension), personality changes
What is the treatment for parkinson’s (5)?
1) Carbidopa-levodopa: increase dopamine drive
2) Dopamine-receptor agonists (bromocriptine)
3) MAO inhibitors (Selegiline): adjunct to increase dopamine action
4) Anticholinergic drugs
5) Amitriptyline - useful as anticholinergic and as antidepressant
Describe the clinical features of Huntington Chorea (5). How is it diagnosed (2)? How is it treated (2)?
1) features: chorea, altered behaviour, dementia, unsteady gait, incontinence
2) Dx: MRI of caudate nuclei, DNA tests (AD)
3) Tx: symptomatic - dopamine blockers, antidepressants
When is an essential tremor elicited? What improves it (2)? How is it treated?
1) Tremor with certain action (ex. drinking)
2) Not there with rest, improved with alcohol
3) Tx: propranolol
Describe tourettes syndrome (4). How is it treated (3)?
1) Features: associated with OCD, onset before 21, AD inheritance, must have motor and phonic tics
2) Tx: clonidine, pimozide, haloperidol
Provide the differential diagnoses for dementia organized under the headings: neurologic, infections, metabolic, drugs/toxins, and psychiatric (min 10).
1) Neuro - alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, space-oocupying lesions, lewy body, FT dementia
2) Infection- HIV, neurosyphilis, C-J disease
3) Metabolic - thyroid disease, vit b12 def., thiamine def., niacin def.
4) Drugs/toxins - alcoholism, heavy metals
5) Psych - depression