EEG and Evoked Potentials Definitions Electroencephalography (EEG): recording spontaneous brain electrical activity. Evoked potentials: electrical responses to specific sensory stimuli. Electroencephalography Normal Adult EEG Awake Resting State Alpha rhythm: 8–12…
CT and MRI Computed Tomography (CT) Description Based on x-rays; visual “slices” through body part showing tissue density. Gray scale of display from black (low density, e.g., fluid) to white…
Signs and Symptoms in Neurologic Diagnosis Diagnostic Factors Ninety percent of neurologic diagnosis suggested by history. Objective evaluation (exam, laboratory tests, imaging studies) usually directed at confirming or excluding diagnoses…
Gait Disorders Examining Stance and Gait Observe patient from the front, back, and sides. Ask patient to rise quickly from chair, walk at slow pace, then fast pace, then turn…
Syndromes Caused by Weak Muscles Definitions Weakness: cannot exert normal force. Paralysis, plegia: total loss of ability to contract muscle. Paresis: partial loss, but often used interchangeably with plegia. Hemiplegia:…
Involuntary Movements and Related Syndromes Involuntary Movements Athetosis Continuous, slow, writhing movements of the limbs (distal and proximal), trunk, head, face, or tongue. When brief, these merge with chorea (choreoathetosis)….
Approach to Headache and Facial Pain Headache Usually benign; occasionally manifestation of serious illness. Prevalence: occasional headaches, nearly 100% of population; severe headaches at least once a year, 40%. General…
Impaired Vision Ocular Lesions Causes: refractive error, opacity of ocular media, or retinal abnormality (e.g., retinal detachment, inflammation, hemorrhage, vascular occlusion). Sometimes with pain or soft-tissue swelling. Optic Nerve Lesions…
Dizziness and Hearing Loss Tinnitus Definition Any abnormal sound arising within head, perceived in one or both ears, or inside head. Continuous, intermittent, or pulsatile. Objective Tinnitus Heard by examiner…
Diagnosis of Pain and Paresthesias Definitions Neuropathic pain: lesion of the peripheral or central nervous system. Somatic pain: stimulation of peripheral nerve endings by lesions in a ligament, joint capsule,…
