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EM II Neuro Emergencies

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Question
Answer
What is a neurological emergency?   Any structural or functional abnormality of the CNS which has an acute onset: stroke, seizure, trauma, altered mental status, HA  
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Initial evaluation   ABCs, finger stick glucose, eight elements: mental status, cerebral fxn, cranial nerves, sensory examination, motor examination, reflexes, cerebellar, gait  
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mental status testing   nl conversation, count forward or backward, Folstein mini mental status exam, ask about short term/long term events  
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Expressie Aphasia   Broca's aphasia (more ventral)  
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Receptive Aphasia   Wernicke's Aphasia (more dorsal)  
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Cerebral fxn   language, aphasia, identify objects  
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Motor/Sensory   Sensory, Motor, Reflexes  
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Cerebellar/Gait   Cerebellar: rapid alternating hand movements. Finger to nose. Gait: Romberg test, heel to toe walking, walking backwards  
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Hypocapnia increases cerebral   vasoconstriction  
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Medications used Emergently   Thiamine (prevents wernickes encephalopathy), Narcan (nalaxone) opioid antagonist, Dextrose (D50) correct hypoglycemia. Romazicon (flumazenil) benzodiazepine antagonist. (for test: dextrose, thiamine, narcan)  
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AVPU   alert verbal pain unresponsiveness  
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Glasgow coma scale components   eye opening (4), verbal (5), motor (6)  
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Levels of altered mental status   obtundation, stupor, coma  
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Obtundation   lethargic, blunted cognition, awake but somnolent or slowed, arousable  
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Stupor   asleep/semi comatose. Only arouses when stimulated (sternal rub, pinch skin), reverts back to sleep when stimulus withdrawn  
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coma   eyes closed, unresponsive  
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Evaluation of Coma   ABCs, GCS, localizing signs (systemic vs focal source), Uncal herniation (3rd cranial nerve dysfunction, ispilateral pupil dilated/non-reactive) drowsy to unresponsive. Central herniation (decorticate posturing, biots (irregular respiration)  
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Metabolic Causes of Coma   Metabolic: Encephalopathy (hypoxia, metabolic: uremic, hepatic, electrolytes), toxins, drugs, environmental, sepsis  
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Structural Causes of Coma   Trauma, Stroke (ischemic, hemorrhagic), tumors, seizures, Infections (cysticercosis: pork tapeworm)  
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Hypoxic Encephalopathy   increases in cell water, edema, death. Brain cells die within 5 minutes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy  
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Metabolic Encephalopathy   hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hepatic, ureic, hypertensive  
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Hypoglycemia   starts with confusion/delirium, cerebral metabolic rate for glucose, reduced synthesis of neurotransmitters, neuronal death ensues, tx with dextrose (give thiamine before; not b/c DM)  
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HHNC   hyperosmolotic hypergylcemic non-ketotic coma  
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Hyperglycemia   most commonly associated with HHNC, severe dehydration (osmotic shift of fluid), Fluid deficit (may be more than 10 liters), not ketotic  
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grossly dehydrated but non-ketotic   give fluids. 2-3 liters in first few hours  
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Hepatic Encephalopathy   associated with cirrhosis, portal blood diverted to systemic circulation through portosystemic collateral vessels. Neurotoxic substances: Ammonia, GABA (BBB more permeablet to GABA in cirrhosis, worse with meds that affect GABA (benzos)  
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Tx of Hepatic Encephalopathy   Lactulose: inhibits intestinal ammonia production, patient needs to have 2-4 loose stools daily. ABX: metronidazole, neomycine, PO vanco. Decreases colonic concentration of ammonia producing bacteria  
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Uremic Encephalopathy   return to  
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Hypertensive Encephalopathy   pressure is so high that you lose the BBB integrity and fluid floods brain. Tx: lower bp slowly. No more than 25% initially. Sodium Nitroprusside, labetalol, trimethaphan, nicardipene  
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Top poisons in toxic encephalopathy   lead, cyanide, carbon monoxide. Drugs: opiates, benzos, paralytics, ecstasy, neuroleptics (toxic levels of seizure meds)  
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Aniscoria   unequal pupils may be caused by an optic nerve lesion, or pressure on the optic nerve, or baseline for that patient  
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Pupil exams   Symmetry, Size: Blow pupils, Pin point (opiates, cholinergics), Dilated (anticholinergics, sedatives)  
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Neuroleptic malignant syndrome   Muscular rigidity, hyperthermia, altered mental status. Can occur with any antipsychotic agent (haldol, compazine, reglan, phenergan, any dopamine antagonist). Tx: benzos, rapid cooling, muscle relaxants, dopamine agnoists  
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concern in chronic alcoholics   wernicke's encephalopathy.  
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Wernicke's Encephalopathy   acute onset: confusion, visual changes, ataxia. Cause: Thiamine (vit b-1) deficiency. Associated with Korsakoff Psychosis. Tx: Thiamine - IV "banana bag", IM  
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Korsakoff Psychosis results from   Thiamine deficiency (usually seen in alcoholics)  
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Meningitis   Infxn of the meninges, CSF bathes the brain and spinal cord, Sources: viral, bacterial, fungal, other sources in immunocompromised. To Dx: CT first to r/u increased ICP, then LP if permissible  
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Location for LP   L3-L4 interspace. Tubes 1 and 4: cell count and diff. Tube 2: gram stain, culture, AFB, india ink. Tube 3: Protein and glucose  
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Syncope Definition   it is a sx. Transient, self-limited LOC, onset is relatively rapid, reocvery is spontaneous, complete and usually prompt.  
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The underlying mechanism of Syncope is   a transient global cerebral hypoperfusion  
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Syncope: neurally-mediated reflex syncopal syndromes, orthostatic, cardiac arrhythmia as primary cause (must always be ruled out) and   structural cardiac (valvular) or cardiac dz (tumors), cerebrovascular  
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Non-syncopal attacks   with impairment of LOC, without LOC  
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Causes of Syncope: neurally-mediated reflex syncopal syndrome   vasovagal faint (common faint), carotid sinus syncope, situational faint: acute hemorrhaging, coughin, sneezing, GI stimulation, Micturation, post-exercise  
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Orthostatic Causes of Syncope   Autonomic failure (primary, secondary, drugs and alcohol), volume depletion (hemorrhaging, diarrhea, addison's dz)  
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Cardiac arrhythmias as primary cause of Syncope   sinus node dysfunction, atrioventricular conduction system dz, paroxysmal supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias, inherited syndromes, implanted devices  
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Structural causes of syncope   valvular dz, acute MI, Obstructive cardiomyopathy, atrial myxoma, acute aortic dissection, pericardial dz, PE, Cerebrovascular (vascular steal syndromes)  
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Causes of non-syncopal attacks   Metabollic disorders, epilepsy, intoxications, TIA  
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Disorders resembling syncope wtihout LOC   cataplexy, drop attacks, psychogenic, TIA of carotid origin  
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Vasovagal syncope   standing or sitting, lasts 10sec to few min, no postictal period. Decrease in arterial pressure and HR produce CNS hypoperfusion, Precipitated by: emotional upset, sight of blood, prolonged motionless standing  
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Evaluation of Syncope   H & P, ECG, Orthostatics, EKG, Imaging (when indicated): CT chest or abdomen/pelvis, pelvic US, Labs, Re-appraisal, Tx  
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Evaluation for blood loss in syncope   GI, pelvic (ruptured ectopic pregnancy) or trauma  
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Pseudo Seizure   Physical movement without EEG evidence of seizure. Non-epileptic seizure, psychogenic, associated with conversion and panic disorder. Check CK, lactate (should be elevtted in true seizure), may respond to saline placebo  
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Primary Seizure   no cause can be found. Secondary=due to mass lesion  
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Sudden LOC without loss of postural tone   Absence  
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Petit mal   Absence, no postictal state, may occur>100x/day, typically found in school age children  
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Focal Seizures   more localized in the brain. Simple (no LOC) or complex (consciousness affects, usually temporal)  
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CK levels and lactate in seizures   elevated!  
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Seizure mimics   hyperventilation (carpal pedal spasm due to hypocapnia), movement disorders, narcolepsy, cataplexy  
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Status Epilepcticus   5 or more minutes of seizure activity. Stop the seizure! Morbidity due to hypoxemia, hyperthermia, circ collapse and neuronal death. Intubate for airway control. Tx: benzos, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital  
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If you give ativan and patient continues to seize, then...   general anesthesia (knock em out), phenobarb coma, Propofol, up to 30 % of status epilepticus pt may go on to refractory status  
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Stroke/TIA   any disruption of blood flow to a local region of the brain. May be ischemic or hemorrhagic (determines your tx)  
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Hx in a pt with stroke/TIA   HTN, CAD, DM, Previous TIA's, Timing (very important)  
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PE of Stroke pt   LOC, Visual fields, Motor, Cerebellar, Sensation/Neglect, Language, Cranial nerves  
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Ischemic stroke causes   Embolic (20%) cardiac source most common (atrial fib). Thrombotic (80%), similar mechanism to MI  
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TIA   Neuro deficits: resolve within 24 hours, often within 30 minutes. Extra-cranial carotid artery strokes may occur. 10% of pts with TIA will return with CVA within 90 days  
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Hemmorrhagic strokes   sub arachnoid, intracerebral, amyloidosis, coagulopathies, head trauma in pts with anticoagulants  
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Anterior Cerebral Artery   Contra lateral leg > arm weaknessMild cortical sensory defects  
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Middle Cerebral Artery   Contra lateral weakness/numbnessFace/arm > legMay gaze toward affected sideIf dominant hemisphere, aphasia may occur  
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Posterior Cerebral Artery   May be dramatic or subtleDizziness, vertigo, diplopia, dysphagia, CN palsies  
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Basilar Artery   brainstem, cerebellum, visual cortex. Hallmark findings: crossed neuro deficits; ipsilateral cranial nerve wtih contra lateral motor weakness. Locked in sydrome (complete and severe paralysis.. except eye movement.. completely aware)  
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____ is Due to injury, tumor, or stroke to a portion of the pons   Locked in Syndrome  
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hemorrhagic syndromes   return  
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subarachnoid hemorrhage   "worst HA of my life", occurs more commonly in women, usually occipital or nuchal in location, vomiting, sudden onset  
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Subarachnoid Hemorrhage DX   CT brain within 24 hours (most sensitive during this time frame), Lumbar puncture (xanthocromia present 12 hours post-bleed; nl CSF is crytstal clear)  
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Tx of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage   Nimodipine (CCB, Reduces Cerebral vasospasm), Phenytoin. HHH therapy: hypertensive, hypervolemic, hemodilutional  
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Caused by tearing of the bridging veinsAcceleration/deceleration injuryAtrophied brains more susceptible.Slow bleeding.Can be acute, sub acute, or chronic   Subdural Hematoma  
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Tearing of middle meningeal arteryDoes not cross suture linesLucid interval following initial LOC   Epidural Hematoma  
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If a CT is negative, you may need an ___ to r/o SAH   Lumbar puncture  
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When a pt presents with CVA sx   practitioner assesses pt within 10min, CT done within 25 min, CT read within 20 min  
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Tx of Stroke   Airway! Supplemental O2, do not lower BP unless>180/100 (labetalol, NTG)  
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Inclusion Criteria for Thrombolysis   Age>18 yo, Time of WITNESSED event<3 hours. Post tx: no ASA or Heparin in the first 24 hours  
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Antiplatelet agents in post-stroke pt   important for secondary stroke prevention. These are not thrombolytics, they are for prevention. For when your pt is stabilized and going home. ASA, Dipyridamole, Clopidogrel  
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Stroke Mimics   Transverse Myelitis, Bells Palsy, Guillain-Barre, Myesthenia Gravis  
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Transverse Myelitis   Rapid onset of motor and sensory loss. Sphincter disturbances, usually idiopathic. Motor weakness, sensory loss or paresthesia, back and radicular pain. Supportive tx only  
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Bell's Palsy   CN VII paralysis, abrupt, isolated, unilateral peripheral facial paralysis, diagnosis of exclusion. Be careful in dx without CT in elderly and high risk pts. Tx: supportive  
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome   return  
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Myasthenia Gravis   rare, autoimmune disorder. Bulbar (eye) muscles most commonly affected. Acetylcholine receptor antibodies. Caused by dysfunction of the thymus gland (75%). May be precipitated by infxn or surgery. Tx: ABCs, intubate if necessary. Neostigmine is the DOC.  
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Fevers and HA is _____ until proven otherwise   meningitis  
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Studies for HA workup if not cluster or migraine   CT scan, Lumbar Puncture, MRI  
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Life threatening HA   SAH, Meningitis, Tumor, other bleeding  
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Thiamine is used to prevent   Wernicke's encephalopathy  
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decorticate posturing is suggestive of   central herniation  
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