Post Chx Flashcards
Describe the Frissen grading?
Grade II - C shaped halo with temporal gap Grade II - halo becomes circumferential Grade III - loss of major vessels as they leave the disc Grade IV - loss of major vessels on the disc Grade V - criteria of grade IV plus partial or total obscuration of vessels of the disc
What are causes of dural AVF?
Trauma Venous sinus thromobosis Craniotomy Meningioma
What size of colloid cyst should be treated?
1cm (Pollock Mayo series)
What treatment options are there for colloid cyst?
Transcallosal approach (2/3rd in front one front behind) Stereotactic drainage Endoscopic or Open Transventricular
How would you diagnose cushing’s disease?
Differential: pituitary adenoma, ectopic ACTH tumour, adrenal tumour Abdominal tumour
Initial screen - early morning cortisol/24hr urinary cortisol
Low dose dexamethasone suppression test - will only suppress cortisol and ACTH in normal person
High dose dexamethasone suppression test - in 80% of pituitary adenomas will suppress cortisol and ACTH but not in ectopic ACTH secreting tumours
What is the risk of hoarse voice after ACDF?
approx 10% temporary, approx 5% permanent
What is risk of dysphagia after ACDF?
Common immediately but by 6 months only 5% have moderate or severe
Landmarks for Frazier’s burrhole
6cm superior to inion and 3cm lateral
What’s the definition of biochemical cure for acromegaly?
Not-standardised. Greengerg 1) Normal IGF-1 2) Basal (morning) GH <5ng/ml AND nadir <1ng/ml in OGTT
How do you test for remission in cushing’s post op?
Various methods e.g. Early morning cortisol Low dexamethasone suppression test
What classification of Craniopharyngiomas do you know?
Paris classification 1-2 depending on hypothalmic involvement (0 not touching, 1 displaced, 2 infiltrated) 0 can be resected 2 can’t be resected
Describe familial cavernoma syndromes?
CCM1 (KRIT 1) - hispanics CCM2 (Malcavernin) CCM3 (PDCD10)
What is DBX?
Demineralised bone matrix (from cadaveric human donors) - collagen and bone morphogenic proteins
When should you screen for familial cavernoma?
2 first degree relatives with cavernoma
What is cell or origin of craniopharyngioma?
Nests of odontogenic epithelium in pituitary stalk
How do you decide between DBS targets in parkinsons
STN - meds reduction GPi - antidyskinetic effect VIM - tremor control but insufficently addresses other motor feature
What are EMG signs of denervation?
Positive sharp waves Insertional activity Fibrillations (later increased duration and polyphasic waves)
What’s significance of EMG signs of denervation in paraspinal muscles?
Suggests radiculopathy
What do fall in increased latency, fall in conduction velocity and amplitude indicate respectively?
Increased latency or fall in conduction velocity —> demyelination Decreased amplitude –> axonal loss
What screening should you do for VHL?
MRI abdomen - renal, pancreas, adrenal Audiology - endolymphatic sac tumour Eyes - retinal haemangioblastomas Neuraxis screening
urine metanephrines
What AED for this patient for focal epilepsy?
Levetiracetam (Others for focal seizures are carbamazepine or lamotrigine)
What is the mechanism of action of levetiracetam?
It binds SV2A (synaptic vesicle protein) reducing neurotransmitter release
Side effects of levetiracetam?
Somnolence Psychosis Depression
Mechanism of action of phenytoin?
Voltage-dependent sodium channel blockade




