Systemic (Red flag conditions) Flashcards
What is cervical artery dissection?
A tear in the tunica adventitia of the carotid and or vertebral arteries
What is the aetiology for CAD?
- History of Cx trauma (major/trivial)
- Recent trauma
- CVS risk factors
- Past or family history of migraine
- Recent URTI
What are the features of a CAD?
At least two of the following features:
- Sudden onset or “thunderclap” headache
- Unilateral pain: frontal, temporal, occipital or supraorbital region
- Unilateral neck or facial pain
- Constant and severe pain (ache/throbbing/sharp) – unlike anything ever experienced
- Neurological symptoms such as:
- Upper or lower limb deficits
- Horner’s syndrome
- Cranial nerve neuropathy
- Pulsating tinnitus
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Thrombosis formation in a deep veins in the absence of obvious inflammation
Aetiology and risk factors for a DVT?
- Typically occurs in the lower limb vein (calf common)
- Trauma and IV drug use
- Immobility
- Obesity
- Advancing age
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- OCP
- Malignancy
What are signs and symptoms of a DVT?
- Can be asymptomatic or unreliable
- Calf pain/ache, with tenderness
- Pitting oedema + increased warmth of affected area
- Prominent/engorged superficial veins
- Mild fever (pyrexia)
- May see colour change: dusky, cyanotic, pale
- Homan’s sign is neither sensitive or specific
What is angina?
Gradual decrease in coronary blood flow, with 50-70% of lumen compromised
What is the aetiology and risk factors for angina?
-Caused by atherosclerotic plaques building up - leading to cardiac mm ischaemia/necrosis
*First three are the main risk factors* •Hyperlipidemia •Smoking •HTN •Obesity •Physical inactivity •Advancing age •Female > Male
Signs and symptoms of angina?
- Chest pain
- Compressive/squeezing/sharp
- Central chest
- Radiation- left arm, jaw scapulae
- Aggravated by exercise and emotional stress
- Relieved by rest
Can be associated with: •Pallor •Diaphoresis - excessive sweating •Dyspnoea •Palpations •Sense of unease •Severe fatigue
What are some DD’s for angina?
GIT disorders: GORD, peptic ulcers
Musculoskeletal disorders: Costochondritis, rib pain, pectoral/intercostal strain
Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium
Psychosocial: Anxiety attack
What is meningitis?
Infection of the meningeal layer (lining tissue) of the brain
What is the aetiology
-Relies on bacterial or viral meningitis as it can pass through the blood brain barrier
What are the features of meningitis?
- Focal neurological SSx
- Severe headache
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Confusion
- Severe muscle pain
- Photophobia
- Systemic signs
What is cauda equina?
Pathological compression of the cauda equina
What is the aetiology of cauda equina?
- Lumbar disc- most common
- Spinal stenosis
- Sever spondylolisthesis
- Trauma – haematoma
- Tumor
- Infection (abscess)