Neurology Flashcards
what are some red flags in a headache history?
- new onset headache + history of cancer
- cluster headache
- seizures
- altered conciousness/ memory/ confusion/ coordination
- papilloedema
- abnormal neurological examination
features of a migraine
- 4-72 hours
- must occur at least 5 times for diagnosis
- painful, unilateral, pulsating, aggravated by routine physical activity
- associated with nausea, photophobia, phonophobia
features of a tension headache
- 30 mins- 7 days
- bilateral pressing pain, not aggravated by routine physical activity
- no nausea/ vomiting
features of a cluster headache
- 15-180 minutes
- severe unilateral orbital/ supraorbital pain
- accompanied by ipsilateral cranial autonomic features and a sense of restlessness/ agitation
- attacks occur in a ‘cluster’ then are separated by a ‘pain free’ period
features of trigeminal neuralgia
- unilateral face pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve
- lasts up to 2 minutes
- like an electric shock
which headaches are classed as primary headaches?
migraine, cluster and tension
how are primary headaches treated?
- lifestyle modification pharmacological: - oral triptans- NSAIDS/ paracetamol - anti-emetics - topiramate/ propanolol - botulinum toxin injections
features of idiopathic intercranial hypertension?
- pain is worse on walking, coughing, sneezing and straining
- nausea and vomiting
- pappiloedema
how is idiopathic intercranial hypertension treated?
acetazolamide
topiramate
diuretics
features of GCA
new onset headache localised pain tenderness jaw claudication visual disturbance
treatment of giant cell arteritis
prednisolone
features of medication overuse headache
- headache present over 15 days/ month
- caused by regular use of drugs (more than 3 months)
- headaches worse during drug use
clinical features of MS
- more common in females (usual age around 30)
- monosymptomatic- most commonly optic neuritis
- symptoms worsen on heat/ exercise
- relapsing/ remitting- monosymptomatic followed by a period of no symptoms
diagnosis of MS
- clinical
- lesions disseminated in time and space attributed to no other known cause
- MRI- identifies plaques
- CSF- oligoclonal bands of IgG on electrophoresis
treatment of MS
- vitamin D supplements
- methylprednisolone to treat relapses
- IFN- 1b and IFN 1a to decrease relapses
- monoclonal antibodies- alemuzumab/ rituximab
what is myasthenia gravis?
autoimmune disease in which antibodies to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced
clinical presentation of myasthenia gravis?
- muscular weakness/ fatigue
- ‘moves down’ e.g. symptoms begin extra ocularly and progress down the body towards the trunk
- ptosis, diplopia, myasthenic snarl
- voice fades on counting to 50
how is myasthenia gravis diagnosed?
- anti-AChR antibodies found in 90%
anti- muscle specific Kinase (MuSK) antibodies
Large thymus/ clusters of immune cells in thymus - Thymomas (tumours)
treatment of myasthenia gravis?
- symptom control- anticholinesterase medication= pyridostigmine
- treat relapses with prednisolone +azathioprine/ methotrexate
what can exacerbate symptoms in myasthenia gravis?
- pregnancy
- hypokalaemia
- infection
- drugs- tetracycline, quinine, B-blockers
how is MND distinguished from MS and polyneuropathies?
affects UMN and LMN, but NO sensory loss or sphincter disturbance
clinical presentation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- loss of motor neurons in motor cortex and anterior horn of spinal cord
- weakness + UMN signs (upgoing plantars etc) +LMN wasting/ fasciculations
- split hand sign- thumbs side of the hand seems to separate from the rest due to excessive wasting
clinical presentation of progressive bulbar palsy
- cranial nerves IX-XII
- LMN lesion of the tongue and muscles and talking -results in a flaccid, fasciculating tongue, absent jaw jerk, speech changes- quiet, horse, nasal
clinical presentation of progressive muscular atrophy
- anterior horn cell lesions only
- LMN only
- affects distal muscle groups before proximal