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Localising The Lesion Handout Kate
Localising The Lesion Handout Kate
Learning objectives
The homunculus
Stroke syndromes
Definitions
Corticospinal (pyradmial)
Extrapyradimal system
Such as huntingtons
The cerebellum
Co-ordinating smooth and learned movement initiated by the pyradimal system and
in posture and balance control
Extrapyramidal tracts modulate motor activity without directly innervating motor neurons.
UMN LMN
Wasting no yes
Fasciculation no yes
Sensory pathways
Peripheral nerves carry sensation from dorsal roots to the cord
Spinothalamic tracts
Cross within the cord and pass in the spinothalamic tracts to the thalamus and
reticular formation
Sensory cortex
Fibres from the thalamus pass to the parietal region sensory cortex and motor
cortex
Cortical functions
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Visual processing
Temporal lobe
Cerebellum
Basal ganglia
Wernickes area – like broccas area is it the understanding of written and spoken speech
Circle of Willis
Vertebral arteries join to form the basillar artery which join at the base of the brain
Stroke
Dysphasia
Dysphagia
PACS – 2 out of 3
Pure sensory
Sensory motor
Ataxia
Risk factors
Investigations
Aspirin
Clopidogrel
Supportive management
In ischaemic stroke you have in ischaemic penumbra which is the area of the brain which is
damaged during ischaemia in order to reduce the effects from this you need to optimise
conditions – temp, BP, glucose
Cerebellar syndrome
Causes
Vascular lesion
Alcohol
Demyelination
Tumours
Hypothyroidism
Metabolic disorders
Signs “DANISH”
Dysdiadochokinesis
Ataxia
Nystagmus
Intention tremor
Hpyotonia, hyporeflexia
Multiple Sclerosis
Classification
Investigations
MRI
On examination
Unsteady gait
Reduced proprioception
Brisk reflexes
Brown-sequard syndrome
Management
Steroids - severe relapses to speed up any recovery with will occur naturally. A
severe relapse is usually classed as one that has significantly affected activities of
daily living
Beta-inferons and Glatiramer - reduce rates of relapses by 30% and is only used in
relapsing and remitting or relapsing progressive disease
IV natalizumab - is a newer monoclocal antibody treatment used in patients with
very severe active disease that can reduce relapses by 80%, cost, practical
consideration and complications limits its use.
Clinical case 1
23, female presents to her GP with a 2 week history of bilateral leg weakness having started
with pins and needles and numbness in her hands and feet. She has had a few days of
urinary incontinence which has resolved. 2 years ago she had an episode of blurred vision
and pain in the right eye which lasted a month and fully resolved
Diagnosis – MS
Lhermittes sign – an electrical sensation that spreads from the back into the limbs on neck
flexion and or extension
Plaques of demyelination within the CNS caused by an inflammatory process. Different areas
of the CNS are involved over time
LP – cell count, protein, glucose and oligoclonal bands. WCC less than 50/mm3
MRI
Visual evoked potentions – show delayed conduction between the retina and the occipital
cortex
Multidisciplinary team
Clinical case 2
61 female
Becoming increasingly weak on her right side over a one week period. She is unable to walk
and has slurred speech and right side of her face is drooping
o/e – right facial weakness, grade 4/5 weakness of the right arm and leg, right homonymous
hemianopia and some difficulty naming objects and reflexes are brisk on the right side and
her right plantar response is upgoing
CT head shows extensive oedema surrounding the subtle impression of a ring enhanced
lesion in the left frontal lobe, extending into the left parietal lobe. There is associated mass
effect displacing the lateral ventricle
Features of raised intracranial pressure it is likely the oedema around the tumour has
increased or bleedin has occurred within the tumour
Features of raised ICP – visual loss, seizures and focal neurological deficit such as third and
6th cranial nerve palsies
Case 3
76 male
Background of AF (on warfarin) has 2 hour history of severe global right sided weakness. He
is eye-opening to painful stimuli and is moving his left side spontaneously. When questioned
he seems confused
12/15 E2, V4, M6
Left hemisphere primary intracerebral haemorrhage causing right sided hemiparesis
Bloods tests, CXR, head CT
head CT should have been performed within 24 hours or immediately in patients
presenting with acute stroke if any of the following apply to them. – on anticoagulation
treatment, known bleeding tendancy, decreased consciousness, papliodemea, neckstiffness
or fever, severe headache with sudden onset,
Ultrasound doppler, cerebral angiography, echocardiography
Risk factors – hypertension, smoking, DM, FH, increasing age, previous strokes, vascular
disease, hyperlipidaemia, hypercoagulable state, alcohol abuse, malignancy
In ishcamic stroke – thrombolysis three hours from obsets are elegible
Aspirin, lipid lowering drugs, anticoagulation if patient has AF or other source of embolus
Haemorrhaging stroke – supprotive care. neurosurgery
Case 4
56 male
6 month history of progressive weakness of his right hand. Also had problems with
swallowing and has choked whilst eating on several occasions
o/e he has wasting of his upper and lower limbs and some fasciculation's were noted his
right plantar was up going and his reflexes were generally brisk
Cases were the diagnosis isn’t clear – LP to exclude MS, muscle biopsy to exclude muscle
disease. Blood tests for other conditions