General inspection of Parkinson’s disease
Hypomimia
Resting tremor - exacerbated by counting backwards
Stooped posture
Eye exam in parkinson’s disease
Nystagmus –> MSA?
Vertical gaze palsy –> PSP?
Gait in parkinson’s disease
Stooped
Shuffling
ABSENT ARM SWING
Slow initiation
Extras to an examination of PD patient
Causes of parkinsonism
What parts of the Hx may point you towards a cause for parkinsonism?
Ix in ?PD?
It’s a clinical dx!
but must do CT/MRI to exclude a vascular cause
Medical Tx of Parkinsons
L-DOPA + DDCinhibitors
Unwanted side effects of L-DOPA?
Features of parkinsonism
Sleep disorder in PD patients
Features of PSP?
Postural instability –> falls
Vertical gaze palsy
Speech + swallow problems (pseudo bulbar palsy)
Tremor is unusual
Features of Lewy body dementia
Parkinsonism precede memory loss
Visual hallucinations!
Ddx for tremor
Intention tremor = cerebellar
Resting tremor = parkinsonism
Postural (i.e. worse w arms outstretched)=
Features of multi system atrophy
Autonomic dysfunction: postural hypo, bladder/bowel dysfunction
Cerebellar syndrome!!!
- nystagmus
how many cervical nerves and cervical vertebrae
Cervical nerves: C1-8
Cervical vertebrae: C1-7
All cervical nerves arise from ABOVE their corresponding vertebrae BUT C8 nerve arises from between C7 and T1 vertebrae
symmetrical + distal LMN signs = where is the lesion?
What are the differential
Peripheral motor polyneuropathy
Findings on examination in Charcot Marie Tooth?
Investigations in Charcot Marie Tooth
Nerve conduction studies
Genetic testing
Mx of Charcot Marie tooth
Supportive
MDT: GP, physio, neurologist, specialist nurse OT
- foot care + special shoe choice
- ankle braces
Define GBS
autoimmune demyelinating polyneuropathy
Features of GBS
preceding infection (campylobacter)
Pathophysiology of GBS
cross-reactivity of antibodies to infection –> attacks gangliosides
Ix for diagnosis of GBS