Oculomotor Nerve Palsies Overview

A rare, severe form of epilepsy in infants, characterized by 'salaam' seizures, progressive mental handicap, and abnormalities on EEG and CT scans.

A type of seizure in West syndrome where the infant flexes their head and trunk, extends their arms, and repeats these movements frequently.

A benign form of epilepsy commonly appearing in childhood, often with nocturnal seizures and focal symptoms like facial tingling, but with good prognosis.

Seizures characterized by a brief loss of awareness, blank staring, and often occurring during exercise, typically starting between ages 3 and 6.

A type of absence seizure that usually starts in childhood and often has a good prognosis, with many children outgrowing the seizures.

A condition where muscle weakness worsens throughout the day.

A class of drugs that can make myasthenia gravis symptoms worse.

The first-line treatment for Myasthenia Gravis.

A serious complication of Myasthenia Gravis where muscles become very weak.

A painful condition affecting a limb after a surgery or injury, often more common in women.

Feeling pain from a stimulus that normally wouldn't cause pain.

A medical procedure used to treat various neurological conditions, including focal spasticity, hand disability, and more.

A condition that causes temporary facial paralysis, usually on one side.

A neurological condition of unknown cause affecting both upper and lower motor neurons, often presenting after 40 years of age.

A relapse of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) involves new or worsening MS symptoms that persist for over 24 hours, after a period of at least one month of stability, excluding other causes like infection.

High-dose corticosteroids, such as oral methylprednisolone (0.5g daily for 5 days) or intravenous methylprednisolone (1g daily for 3-5 days), are recommended to treat MS relapses affecting daily function.

Not all MS relapses require steroid treatment. A specialist should be consulted to determine if an MS relapse warrants treatment.

Motor neuron disease (MND) encompasses different patterns, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), and bulbar palsy.

A neurological disorder characterized by seizures that often begin in childhood. While medication is generally effective, the condition usually persists throughout life. It is important to ensure adequate sleep and avoid alcohol to minimize seizure risk.

A group of symptoms that indicate damage to the cerebellum, impacting coordination and balance. This includes problems with walking, speech, eye movements, and a feeling of dizziness.

A group of reflexes tested during neurological examinations, with each reflex corresponding to specific spinal nerve roots. Ankle Reflex: S1-S2 Knee Reflex: L3-L4 Biceps Reflex: C5-C6 Triceps Reflex: C7-C8

An autoimmune disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness during activity, which recovers during rest. It affects primarily women.

The key feature of Myasthenia Gravis. Muscles become progressively weaker during activity and recover after periods of rest. This is often the first sign of the disorder.

A common presenting symptom of Myasthenia Gravis. Weakness in the eye muscles can lead to double vision.

A common symptom of Myasthenia Gravis. Weakness in the facial muscles can cause drooping eyelids.

A condition that can occur with Myasthenia Gravis, impacting muscle strength and function. This can lead to difficulty swallowing.

Weakness in muscles responsible for breathing, often seen in conditions affecting the nervous system.

Characterized by uncontrollable urge to move legs, often worse at rest. Associated with crawling or throbbing sensations and movement during sleep.

Pain arising from damage to the nerves. Example conditions include diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia.

A CT brain scan is not recommended in stroke unless there is suspicion of an alternative diagnosis that CT could detect.

MRI is preferred for determining the territory of ischemia, detecting hemorrhage, or finding alternative pathologies.

Atherosclerosis in the carotid artery can cause emboli, which are blood clots that travel to other parts of the body.

All patients with suspected stroke should have an urgent carotid doppler unless they are not a candidate for carotid endarterectomy.

Clopidogrel is the first-line treatment for stroke patients.

Aspirin + dipyridamole can be used for those who cannot tolerate clopidogrel.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended for 21 days after minor ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA.

Treatment with a high-intensity statin is recommended for stroke or TIA patients to reduce non-HDL cholesterol by more than 40%.