Neurophysiology and regional brain syndromes

Question 1

Type of oedema associated with an abscess

Answer 1

vasogenic

Question 2

What structures make up the blood brain barrier?

Answer 2

Endothelial tight junctions (zonulae occludentes)
astrocytic foot processes
basement membrane

Question 3

What is the name of the parasympathetic nerve to the detrusor muscle?

Answer 3

pelvic splanchnic nerves (Nervi erigentes)

Question 4

Pudendal nerve controls which sphincter?

Answer 4

External (urethral) sphincter

Question 5

Allows bladder filling

Answer 5

sympathetic innervation to internal sphincter, bladder neck and trigone

Question 6

Bladder function in spinal shock

Answer 6

atonic bladder during spinal shock phase - fills without sensation and without emptying. When shock subsides becomes ‘automatic’ and empties with little/no control.

Question 7

How does oxybutynin work?

Answer 7

Anti-cholinergic - increases threshold at which involuntary bladder contraction occurs

Question 8

What is Foster Kennedy syndrome?

Answer 8

Ipsilateral optic atrophy and contralateral pappiloedema

Question 9

bilateral frontal lobe injury

Answer 9

abulia and apathy

Question 10

what are the features of unilateral parietal lobe disease??

Answer 10

Cortical sensory syndrome
homonymous hemianopia
neglect (non dominant)

Dominant
aphasias
Gerstmanns
tactile agnosia (bilateral astereognosis)
bilateral ideomotor apraxia - inability to follow verbal commands

Question 11

What are the features of Gerstmanns syndrome?

Answer 11

1. Right left confusion
2. Agraphia without alexia (cannot write but can read)
3. Finger agnosia
4. acalculia

Question 12

How do you clinically differentiate between Collet Sicard and Vernet syndrome?

Answer 12

Collet Sicard = Vernet + Hypoglossal dysfunction

Question 13

How do you differentiate between Villaret and Collet Sicard?

Answer 13

Villaret = Collet-Sicard + Horner’s