362.4 ð ç« æ«éèš Summary
362.4.1 ð äžå¥è©±çžœçµ
Neurologic diagnosis = two-step approach â (1) anatomic localization (where is the lesion?) by tracing along neuroaxis (cortex â subcortical white matter â basal ganglia â brainstem â cerebellum â spinal cord â root â plexus â peripheral nerve â NMJ â muscle) + (2) etiologic diagnosis (what is the cause?) by time course pattern (vascular sudden, infectious days, neoplastic weeks, degenerative months-years, fluctuating NMJ, relapsing-remitting MS); history most important (onset + duration + course + distribution + associated + medications + family); neurological examination components â mental status + cranial nerves I-XII + motor (strength 0-5 MRC + tone + bulk + fasciculations) + reflexes (DTR + plantar Babinski) + sensation (primary + cortical) + coordination + gait/station; UMN vs LMN distinction critical â UMN â tone + â reflexes + Babinski + late atrophy vs LMN â tone + â reflexes + early atrophy + fasciculations; Glasgow Coma Scale E (1-4) + V (1-5) + M (1-6) = 3-15; neuroimaging â CT for acute hemorrhage/trauma/bone (fast widely available); MRI definitive for most pathology â T1 anatomy + T2 pathology + FLAIR for MS/edema + DWI for acute stroke (bright within minutes-hours) + T2*/SWI for hemosiderin/microbleeds + gadolinium for BBB disruption (tumor, infection, inflammation); MR/CT angiography for vessels; amyloid/tau/dopamine transporter PET emerging; electrophysiology â EEG for seizures/encephalopathy/brain death + EMG/NCS for neuropathy (axonal vs demyelinating)/NMJ (decremental MG, incremental LEMS)/myopathy; CSF analysis (LP) â opening pressure 10-20 cm H2O, normal < 5 WBC/no RBCs/protein 15-45/glucose 2/3 serum; classic patterns: bacterial meningitis ââ PMN + ââ protein + â glucose, viral lymphs + mild â protein + normal glucose, TB/fungal lymphs + ââ protein + â glucose, MS oligoclonal bands, SAH many RBCs + â protein, GBS albuminocytologic dissociation (ââ protein + normal cells); brainstem crossed signs â Wallenberg (lateral medullary), Weber (midbrain CN III + contralateral hemiparesis), Millard-Gubler (pons CN VI/VII + contralateral hemiparesis); spinal cord syndromes â anterior cord, central cord (syringomyelia cape distribution dissociated), Brown-Séquard hemisection (ipsilateral UMN + position + contralateral pain/temp), posterior column, cauda equina (saddle anesthesia + bowel/bladder), conus medullaris; genetic testing for hereditary disease (HD, ataxias, CMT, dystonia, ALS, AD genetics)ã
362.4.2 ð æ²»ç粟èŠ
- Approach principles (not therapeutic): localize first (anatomic location along neuroaxis) then etiology (cause by time course pattern)
- CT urgent: trauma, suspected acute hemorrhage, stroke initial screening
- MRI definitive: most neurological pathology â choose sequence per question
- LP indications: meningitis, encephalitis, suspected SAH (CT-negative), MS workup, autoimmune, malignancy, IIH/NPH
- LP contraindications: â ICP with mass effect (herniation risk â image first if focal signs + papilledema), coagulopathy, infection at puncture site
- EEG: seizure activity, encephalopathy, brain death determination
- EMG/NCS: timing â wait 2-3 weeks after onset for full picture (denervation changes)
- genetic testing: pre-test counseling + post-test counseling essential
362.4.3 ð¯ ç§é«åž«çèåæé
- Two-step neuro diagnosis (memorize): (1) localize (where along neuroaxis) (2) etiology (what kind by time course) â this is the framework for every neuro question
- Time course to etiology mapping: sudden seconds-minutes = vascular/seizure, hours-days = infection/inflammation, weeks-months = tumor/autoimmune, months-years = degenerative/hereditary, fluctuating = NMJ (MG), relapsing-remitting = MS, stepwise = multi-infarct
- UMN vs LMN distinction (always test): UMN â tone + hyperreflexia + Babinski + late atrophy + clonus; LMN flaccid + hyporeflexia + early atrophy + fasciculations + downgoing plantar
- MRI sequences purpose: **T1 anatomy, T2 pathology, FLAIR for MS/edema, DWI for acute stroke (bright within minutes), T2*/SWI for microbleeds, gadolinium for BBB disruption**
- CT vs MRI choice: CT urgent for hemorrhage/trauma/bone; MRI definitive for most else; DWI MRI changes within minutes of stroke vs CT often normal in first hours
- CSF patterns (memorize all 5): bacterial = ââ PMN + ââ protein + â glucose; viral = lymphs + mild protein + normal glucose; TB/fungal = lymphs + ââ protein + â glucose; MS = oligoclonal bands + IgG index; GBS = albuminocytologic dissociation (ââ protein + normal cells)
- LP precautions: do not perform if â ICP with mass effect (focal signs + papilledema) â get imaging first; correct coagulopathy
- GCS 3-15: E (1-4) + V (1-5) + M (1-6); GCS †8 â intubate consideration
- Brainstem crossed signs: ipsilateral CN + contralateral hemisphere/body â Wallenberg (lateral medullary), Weber (midbrain), Millard-Gubler (pons)
- Spinal cord syndromes: Brown-Séquard hemisection (ipsilateral UMN + posterior column + contralateral pain/temp); central cord (syringomyelia) cape distribution dissociated sensory; cauda equina (saddle anesthesia + bowel/bladder); always test for sensory level