Differential diagnosis US Medical PG Flashcards - Medical Study Cards
Master Differential diagnosis with OnCourse flashcards. These spaced repetition flashcards are designed for medical students preparing for NEET PG, USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2, MBBS exams, and other medical licensing examinations.
Differential diagnosis Flashcard Deck - 10 Cards
Flashcard 11: Up to how many days can DWI MRI detect an ischemic stroke before pseudonormalization occurs?
Answer: 10 days
Flashcard 12: lateral pontine syndrome
Answer: AICA stroke
Extra: acute vomiting, vertigo, nystagmus, facial paralysis, facial sensory loss, Horner's syndrome, ataxia, dysmetria
decreased: lacrimation, taste, corneal reflex, hearing
mnemonic: facial droop means AICA's pooped
Flashcard 13: Define ischemic stroke and its key diagnostic/management features.
Answer: Cerebral infarction due to reduced blood flow, usually from thrombosis or embolism.
Extra: - Mechanism: Atherosclerotic embolus blocks a large vessel or local thrombus forms.
- Imaging: Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) shows bright signal (restricted diffusion); Non-contrast CT is sensitive for hemorrhage but shows ischemia as dark (hypodense) after several hours.
- Management: tPA within 3–4.5 hours if no contraindications.
- Common causes: Arterial fibrillation, carotid dissection, patent foramen ovale (PFO), and endocarditis.
Flashcard 14: What imaging modality can identify stroke most rapidly?
Answer: diffusion-weighted MRI
Flashcard 15: What is the earliest that MRI can detect ischemic stroke?
Answer: 3-30 minutes
Flashcard 16: How soon after the event can CT detect ischemic stroke?
Answer: ~24 hours
Flashcard 17: Define Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) (Duration and imaging criteria)
Answer: Brief, reversible episode of focal neurologic dysfunction lasting <1 hour caused by focal ischemia, without evidence of infarction on imaging.
Extra: MRI: No evidence of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Often serves as a warning sign for a future stroke.
Flashcard 18: What is the primary mechanism of communicating hydrocephalus?
Answer: Decreased CSF absorption by arachnoid granulations (e.g., following meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage) or overproduction (e.g., choroid plexus papilloma).
Extra: Clinical features: Increased ICP, papilledema, and herniation risk. \nRadiology: All ventricles are enlarged in proportion. \nNote: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a specific form of communicating hydrocephalus seen in the elderly.
Flashcard 19: What is the classic clinical triad and pathophysiological finding in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?
Answer: Triad: Urinary incontinence, Gait ataxia (magnetic gait), and Cognitive impairment.
Pathophysiology: Ventriculomegaly (enlarged ventricles) out of proportion to sulcal enlargement/atrophy.
Extra: Mnemonic: "Wet, Wobbly, and Wacky".
Pressure: Normal opening pressure on lumbar puncture.
Mechanism: Impaired CSF absorption at the arachnoid granulations.
Treatment: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting.
Flashcard 20: Drug of choice for management of status epilepticus (Acute and Prophylaxis)
Answer: Acute: Diazepam/Lorazepam; Prophylaxis: Phenytoin
Extra: Status epilepticus is defined as a seizure lasting >5 minutes or ≥2 seizures without full recovery of consciousness between them.
Treatment algorithm:
1. Benzodiazepines (IV Lorazepam is DOC)
2. Phenytoin/Fosphenytoin or Levetiracetam
3. General anesthesia/Phenobarbital if refractory.
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