Abnormal Findings and Disorders (CNS)- VERY IMPORTANT

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Autoimmune destruction of myelin sheath in CNS

What are the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

Progressive weakness

Gait instability

Bladder dysfunction

Sensory loss

Vision changes (optic neuritis)

What is Meningitis?

Bacterial or viral infection → inflammation of the meninges

What are the key signs of meningitis?

Kernig's sign and Brudzinski's sign

Brudzinski's sign

Flexion of hips/knees when neck is flexed → indicates meningeal irritation.

Kernig's sign

Pain with extension of knee when hip is flexed.

What is Generalized seizure disorder?

Episodic, sudden, involuntary contractions of a group of muscles caused by excessive discharge of cerebral neurons.

What causes Generalized seizure disorder?

Systemic disease, head trauma, toxin, stroke, hypoxic syndromes

What are some Symptoms of Generalized seizure disorder?

Disturbances in consciousness, behavior, sensation, and autonomic functioning. Urinary and fecal incontinence can occur.

What is stage 1 of Lyme disease?

Bulls eye rash

What is stage 2 of Lyme disease?

Cardiac/neuro symptoms

What is stage 3 of lyme disease?

Chronic arthritis, worsening neuro involvement.

What is a Space-Occupying Lesion?

It can be a primary tumor or a metastatic mass.

What is cerebral palsy?

A non-progressive disorder of muscle tone, posture, & movement.

Often associated with:

- Cognitive problems

- Sensory impairments

= Speech issues

What is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?

Increased CSF in the ventricles - enlarged ventricles, but the CSF pressure is normal on the lumbar puncture

Signs of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?

Gait disturbance (magnetic gait)

Urinary incontinence

Cognitive changes

Treatment of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?

Ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt.

What is Spina Bifida?

A Neural tube defect → incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, or coverings.

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

Progressive degeneration of motor neurons.

Muscle weakness

Atrophy

Fasciculations

Eventual respiratory failure

What is a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)?

Brain Attack or Stroke- sudden focal neurologic deficit resulting from impaired circulation to/within the brain

What CVA's caused by?

Thrombosis (most common)

Embolism

Hemorrhage

- Most occur in anterior circulation.

What are some Stroke Warning Signs?

Sudden weakness/numbness

Sudden vision problems:

Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking (aphasia) or articulating (dysarthria)

Sudden severe headache

Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, coordination problems

Remember: Right brain → left body, and vice versa.

What is Diplopia and its types?

(Double vision) perception of two images of the same object that may be side by side, on top of each other, or diagonal.

Monocular diplopia

Binocular diplopia

Monocular Diplopia

Double vision persists when one eye is covered.

Usually due to problems within the eye itself, such as: Corneal irregularities (e.g., keratoconus, scar)

Lens problems (e.g., cataract)

Refractive error or astigmatism

Binocular diplopia

Double vision occurs only when both eyes are open; it disappears if either eye is covered.

Caused by misalignment of the eyes — the two eyes are not pointing at the same target.

What causes Binocular diplopia?

Cranial nerve palsies (III, IV, VI)

Extraocular muscle disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis)

Orbital trauma or tumors

What is BE FAST?

Balance - watch for sudden loss of balance

Eyes - Check for vision loss

Face - Look for uneven smile

Arm - Check if one arm is weak

Speech - Listen for slurred speech

Time - Call 911 right away