Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal Cord Compression CASE A 64-year-old woman with known multiple myeloma has a 1-week history of sharp back pain radiating around the left costal margin that is worse with coughing….
Hyporeflexia/Peripheral Neuropathy
Hyporeflexia/Peripheral Neuropathy Hypoactive reflexes are caused by disease between the spinal cord and muscle, typically involving the root, plexus, or peripheral nerves. Reduced reflexes indicate that one or more components…
Hyperreflexia
Hyperreflexia Normal reflexes suggest that the motor system is functioning appropriately. The main motor pathway, the corticospinal tract, descends from the cortex to different segments of the spinal cord. Neurons…
Vertigo-Dizziness
Vertigo-Dizziness William Osler once was quoted as saying that no physician can hear the presenting complaint of “dizziness” without experiencing a sinking feeling. Although dizziness as a presentation is one…
Left Hemiplegia
Left Hemiplegia When examining a patient with a left hemiplegia or hemiparesis, nondominant hemisphere function rather than aphasia testing is stressed. Even in left-handed patients, the right hemisphere is usually…
Right Hemiplegia
Right Hemiplegia When examining a patient who has right hemiplegia (paralysis) or right hemiparesis (weakness), establish whether the lesion is cortical, subcortical, in the brainstem, or in the spinal cord…
Localization
Localization There are three questions that have to be answered in assessing every patient with possible neurologic disease. These must be answered in order, or it is difficult to make…
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia Introduction Clinical features Diagnosis and classification Epidemiology Aetiology Neurobiology Social and psychosocial factors Psychological factors Current aetiological hypotheses about schizophrenia Course and prognosis Treatment Management Discussing schizophrenia with patients…
