Neurology cram Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is mononeuritis multiplex?
Asymmetrical, painful neuropathy caused by conditions such as DM, ANCA vasculitis, SLE, RA, HNPP, and Lyme disease.
DM = Diabetes Mellitus, SLE = Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, RA = Rheumatoid Arthritis, HNPP = Hereditary Neuropathy with Pressure Palsies.
What are the common causes of median nerve compression (carpal tunnel syndrome)?
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Occupational disease
Symptoms include sensory loss in the thumb, forefinger, middle finger, burning wrist, and weakness in the 1/2 lumbricals.
What are the symptoms of ulnar nerve compression (cubital tunnel syndrome)?
- Weakness in FCU and interossei
- Sensory loss in 1/2 of the 4th finger and baby finger
- Elbow pain
- Positive Froment’s sign
FCU = Flexor Carpi Ulnaris.
What causes radial nerve compression and what are its symptoms?
- Causes: Infection, inflammation, mostly trauma
- Symptoms: Wrist drop, weakness in brachioradialis, ECR, ECU, Ext dig, sensory loss over the dorsum of the hand
ECR = Extensor Carpi Radialis, ECU = Extensor Carpi Ulnaris.
What are the symptoms of lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy (meralgia paraesthetica)?
- Lateral thigh numbness/paraesthesia
- Relief on sitting
- Worse on standing/walking
- Intact knee reflexes
- Normal strength and tone
Management includes avoiding tight belts and local nerve block.
What are the symptoms of femoral neuropathy?
- Difficulty in knee extension
- Weak hip flexion
- Sensory loss around the anterior/medial leg
- Diminished patellar reflex
The patellar reflex is important for assessing knee function.
What are the symptoms of sciatic neuropathy?
- Ankle and toe weakness
- Sensory loss in foot and distal lateral leg
- Diminished ankle jerk/internal hamstring reflex
Causes include hip replacement, prolonged lithotomy position, vasculitis, and tumors.
What are the symptoms of peroneal neuropathy?
- Weakness of tibialis anterior, ext digitorum, and hallucis
- Weak foot eversion
- Sensory loss of dorsum of foot and lateral shin border
- Flail foot, with no pain
Tibialis anterior is important for dorsiflexion of the foot.
What is the typical age of onset for Parkinson’s Disease?
60s-70s
Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by resting tremor and bradykinesia.
What are the initial symptoms of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)?
Autonomic symptoms or gait issues
MSA can lead to severe autonomic dysfunction.
What is the response to Levodopa in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)?
Poor
PSP is characterized by vertical gaze palsy and falls.
What are the key functions of the frontal lobe?
- Executive control: planning, judgment, impulse control
- Voluntary motor control
- Speech production (Broca’s area)
- Emotion & personality
- Working memory
Broca’s area is located in the left inferior frontal gyrus.
What is Gerstmann Syndrome and what are its components?
- Agraphia
- Acalculia
- Finger agnosia
- Left-right disorientation
Usually associated with damage to the dominant parietal lobe.
What are the symptoms of Wernicke’s aphasia?
Fluent but meaningless speech with poor comprehension
Wernicke’s area is located in the left posterior superior temporal gyrus.
What is the appearance of CSF in bacterial meningitis?
Turbid/purulent
Other findings include high WBC count with neutrophils and low glucose.
What are the common pathogens in viral meningitis?
- Enteroviruses (Coxsackie, Echo)
- HSV-2
- VZV
Viral meningitis typically has a milder clinical presentation.
What mnemonic helps remember CSF patterns for different types of meningitis?
“Bacteria Break Protein, Burn Sugar, and Blow up Pressure”
This indicates high protein, low glucose, and high pressure in bacterial meningitis.
