Chapter 13: Neurologic Diseases and Conditions: Diagnosis

Question 1

What is diagnosis of Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)

Answer 1

physical exam; confirmed by MRI, CT, cerebral angioscopy, or EEG

Question 2

What is diagnosis of Transiet Ischemic Attack

Answer 2

physical exam and history; determine source of possible embolus; CT, MRI scan

Question 3

What is diagnosis of Epidural and Subdural Hematomas

Answer 3

history of recent head trauma and clinical findings; CT and cerebral arteriogram locate the hematoma

Question 4

What is diagnosis of Cerebral Concussion

Answer 4

complete neurologic examination, along with history; CT scan shows no evidence of damage

Question 5

What is diagnosis of Cerebral Contusion

Answer 5

neurologic examination is necessary; CT scan reveals location and extent

Question 6

What is diagnosis of Depressed Skull Fracture

Answer 6

physical examinations reveals a defect in skull

Question 7

What is diagnosis of Paraplegia and Quadriplegia

Answer 7

neurologic functioning assessment; spinal radiographs, CT determine extent of injury

Question 8

What is diagnosis of Degenerative Disk Disease

Answer 8

clinical findings and history lead to MRI and myelogram to show disk status

Question 9

What is diagnosis of Hernaited and Bulging Disk

Answer 9

back exam to rule out other causes; lumbar if sciatic pain; myelogram or CT to confirm

Question 10

What is diagnosis of Sciatic Nerve Injury–Spinal Stenosis

Answer 10

MRI; spinal radiographic films; blood serum studies; EMG

Question 11

What is diagnosis of Headache

Answer 11

history is vitally important in identifyng patternto headaches and helpful in detecting underlying cause

Question 12

What is diagnosis of Migraine

Answer 12

recurring, severe headaches, proceded by combination of signs and symptoms

Question 13

What is diagnosis of Epilepsy/A Seizure Disorder

Answer 13

medical history essential; EEG shows semispecific brain activity; based on location and abnormality

Question 14

What is diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 14

characteristic history and careful neurologic examination; decreased dopamine levels may be noted

Question 15

What is diagnosis of Huntington’s Chorea

Answer 15

no definitive method known; careful neurologic appraisal and by detection of the gene through DNA analysis; CT shows brain atrophy

Question 16

What is diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Answer 16

clinical findings of upper and lower motor neuron involvement without any sensory neuron involvement; EMG and muscle biopsy to confirm nerve, not, muscle involvement

Question 17

What is diagnosis of Restless Leg Syndrome

Answer 17

symptoms during evening or night; leg movement provides temporary relief;

Question 18

What is diagnosis of Transiet Global Amnesia

Answer 18

observing symptoms and signs and establishing a negative neurologic examination; rule out other options

Question 19

What is diagnosis of Peripheral Neuritis/Neuropathy

Answer 19

history, combined with clinical findings characteristic of motor and sensory involvement, leads to additional investigation; EMG/NCS nerve conduction

Question 20

What is diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Douloureux)

Answer 20

excruciating pain has an abrupt onset and duration of seconds to minutes on one side of face

Question 21

What is diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy

Answer 21

from symptoms and signs and characteristic history; the typical slant smile

Question 22

What is diagnosis of Meningitis

Answer 22

lumbar puncture reveals increased CSF pressure and presence of WBCs, protein, and glucose in CSF

Question 23

What is diagnosis of Encephalitis

Answer 23

lumbar puncture; CSF pressure elevated; Blood and CSF studies reveal virus

Question 24

What is diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Answer 24

elevated protein in CSF, which peaks 4 to 6 weeks after onset

Question 25

What is diagnosis of Brain Abscess

Answer 25

history of infection of sinuses or ears, or an insult to CNS; intracranial pressure; EEG and CT confirm

Question 26

What is diagnosis of Poliomyelitis and Postpolio Syndrome

Answer 26

clinical symptoms with possible exposure to infected person; isolation of poliovirus from throat washings or feces confirms

Question 27

What is diagnosis of Intracranial Tumors (Brain Tumors)

Answer 27

detailed history, neurologic examinations, and neuroimaging studies; MRI or functional MRI, and PET help preoperative diagnosis