Neurological disorders

Question 1

what is the cause of a epileptic seizure?

Answer 1

caused by an acute disturbance of normal electrical activity in the brain which is usually under 2 mins

Question 2

what is the difference between primary and secondary epilepsy?

Answer 2

primary - idiopathic in origin
secondary - disease of the brain (tumour/infection)

Question 3

what does tonic mean?

Answer 3

• stiffening of the muscles
• usually at the beginning of seizures

Question 4

what does clonic mean?

Answer 4

rapid, twitching motions

Question 5

what does tonic-clonic mean?

Answer 5

combination of stiffness and twitching seizures

Question 6

what does petit mal/absence seizures mean?

Answer 6

• altered mental state
• sometimes called focal seizures
• difficult to diagnose

Question 7

what is the pre-ictal stage?

Answer 7

• prior to seizure
• can be resting or asleep
• become restless or anxious

Question 8

what is the ictal stage?

Answer 8

• seizure
• tonic/clonic/tonic-clonic

Question 9

what is the post-ictal stage?

Answer 9

• period after a seizure
• disorientated and exhuasted

Question 10

what is a syncopal episode?

Answer 10

temporary loss of consciousness caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain

Question 11

what is vasovagal syncope?

Answer 11

occurs when you faint because your body overreacts to certain triggers

Question 12

how do you diagnose seizures?

Answer 12

• history
• bloods
• CSF tap
• MRI
• CT
• electroencephalography

Question 13

what are some anticonvulsant medications?

Answer 13

• diazepam
• phenobarbitone
• imepitoin
• potassium bromide
• levetiracetam

Question 14

what is status epilepticus?

Answer 14

repeated seizures with no return to consciousness in between

Question 15

what are some consequences of status epilepticus?

Answer 15

• hyperthermia
• hypoxaemia
• brain damage
• metabolic acidosis
• death

Question 16

what are convulsions?

Answer 16

a series of involuntary contractions of the muscles

Question 17

what are seizures?

Answer 17

clinical manifestation of a paroxysmal cerebral disorder resulting from a transitory disturbance of brain function due to abnormal electrical activity

Question 18

what is epilepsy?

Answer 18

an intracranial disorder that produces recurrent seizures

Question 19

what is paresis?

Answer 19

weakness of one or more limb

Question 20

what is hemiplegia?

Answer 20

paralysis of one side of the body

Question 21

what is paraplegia?

Answer 21

paralysis of the caudal limbs

Question 22

what is tetraplegia?

Answer 22

paralysis of all four limbs

Question 23

what are some clinical signs of a spinal injury?

Answer 23

• ataxia
• paresis
• paralysis
• incontinence
• loss of deep pain
• lack of anal tone

Question 24

what are some causes of spinal injuries?

Answer 24

• trauma
• IVDD
• tumour
• vertebral abnormalities
• cauda equine syndrome

Question 25

what is discospondylitis?

Answer 25

A bacterial and fungal of the intervertebral discs and adjacent bones

Question 26

what are some medical treatment options of spinal injuries?

Answer 26

- analgesia - restricted or supported exercise - urinary and faecal management - physiotherpay

Question 27

what are some ways of diagnosing a spinal injury?

Answer 27

- radiography - myelography - MRI/CT - CSF analysis

Question 28

how are brain tumours diagnosed?

Answer 28

- MRI/CT - posthumously

Question 29

what are some clinical signs of brain tumours?

Answer 29

- seizures - abnormal behaviour - circling - ataxia

Question 30

what do infectious neurological disorders result in?

Answer 30

- meningitis - encephalitis - meningoencephalitis

Question 31

what are some causes of infectious neurological disorders?

Answer 31

- parasitic infections - viral infections - bacterial

Question 32

what are some clinical signs of infectious neurological disorders?

Answer 32

- hypertension - pyrexia - ataxia - anisocoria - bradycardia

Question 33

what is hydrocephalus?

Answer 33

- an excess of cerebrospinal fluid that puts pressure on the brain and may damage the cerebrum

Question 34

what is hepatic encephalopathy?

Answer 34

neurologic condition that develops secondary to liver disease

Question 35

what does a cerebellar disorder result in?

Answer 35

- tremors - abnormal stance - lack of coordination

Question 36

what is cerebellar hypoplasia?

Answer 36

condition where the cerebellum does not develop completely

Question 37

what can brain stem disorders result in?

Answer 37

- dysfunction of the cranial nerves - weakness - inability to balance, walk or stand

Question 38

what does congenitial vestibular disease result in?

Answer 38

- permanent deafness - balance and posture dysfunction

Question 39

what are some nerve and muscle congenital abnormalities?

Answer 39

- congenital myasthenia gravis - peripheral nerve and muscle disorders