Neurology Mnemonics

Neurology Mnemonics: Simplifying Complex Concepts

C

Chorea: common causes: VITUS’S DANCE:

• Sydenhams
• Vascular
• Increased RBC’s (polycythemia)
• Toxins: CO, Mg, Hg
• Uremia
• SLE
• Senile chorea
• Drugs
• APLA syndrome
• Neurodegenerative conditions: HD, neuroacanthocytosis, DRPLA
• Conception related: pregnancy, OCP’s
• Endocrine: hyperthyroidism, hypo-, hyperglycemia
  • Author: Bobby Varkey SCTIMST

Congenital myopathy: features: DREAMS:

• Dominantly inherited, mostly
• Reflexes decreased
• Enzymes normal
• Apathetic floppy baby
• Milestones delayed
• Skeletal abnormalities
  • Author: Bobby Varkey SCTIMST

D

Dementia: reversible dementia causes: DEMENTIA:

• Drugs/ Depression
• Elderly
• Multi-infarct/ Medication
• Environmental
• Nutritional
• Toxins
• Ischemia
• Alcohol
  • Author: Mohamed Azim Assistant lecturer of Pediatric Surgery, Alexandria University, Egypt

Dementia: some common causes: DEMENTIA:

• Diabetes
• Ethanol
• Medication
• Environmental (eg CO poisoning)
• Nutritional
• Trauma
• Infection
• Alzheimer’s
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

Dementia: treatable causes: DEMENTIA:

• Drug toxicity
• Emotional (depression, anxiety, OCD, etc.)
• Metabolic (electrolytes, liver dz, kidney dz, COPD)
• Eyes/ Ears (peripheral sensory restrictions)
• Nutrition (vitamin, iron deficiencies/ NPH [Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus]
• Tumors/ Trauma (including chronic subdural hematoma)
• Infection (meningitis, encephalitis, pneumonia, syphilis)
• Arteriosclerosis and other vascular disease
  • Author: Bill Lynch, originated by Dr. Jerome Yesavage Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center

E

Encephalitis: differential: HE’S LATIN AMERICAN:

• Herpesviridae
• Enteroviridae (esp. Polio)
• Slow viruses (esp. JC, prions)
• Syphilis
• Legionella/ Lyme disease/ Lymphocytic meningoencephalitis
• Aspergillus
• Toxoplasmosis
• Intracranial pressure
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Arboviridae
• Measles/ Mumps/ Mycobacterium tuberculosis/ Mucor
• E. coli
• Rabies/ Rubella
• Idiopathic
• Cryptococcus/ Candida
• Abscess
• Neoplasm/ Neurocysticercosis
• ­ Neurocysticercosis should be assumed with recent Latin American immigrant patient unless proven otherwise.
  • Author: Samuel Atom Baek-Kim Tuckahoe, NY

H

Head trauma: rapid neuro exam: 12 P’s:

• Psychological (mental) status
• Pupils: size, symmetry, reaction
• Paired ocular movememts
• Papilloedema
• Pressure (BP, increased ICP)
• Pulse and rate
• Paralysis, Paresis
• Pyramidal signs
• Pin prick sensory response
• Pee (incontinent)
• Patellar relex (and others)
• Ptosis
• ­ Reevaluate patient every 8 hrs.
  • Author: Ernest Boiselier, MD and Sung Kim Attending physician, ISSSTE, Juarez, Mexico

N

Neurofibromatosis: diagnostic criteria: ROLANDO:

• Relative (1st degree)
• Osseous fibromas
• Lisch nodules in eyes
• Axillary freckling
• Neurofibromas
• Dime size cafe au lait spots
• Optic gliomas
  • Author: Balraj Jhawar The University of Western Ontario

Neuropathy: diagnosis confirmation: NEuropathy:

• Nerve conduction velocity
• Electromyography
  • Author: Rinku S. Uberoi

O

Ocular bobbing vs. dipping: “Breakfast is fast, Dinner is slow, both go down“:

• Bobbing is fast.
• Dipping is slow.
• In both, the initial movement is down.
  • Author: Parameswaran Doctor

P

Peripheral neuropathies: differential: DANG THERAPIST:

• Diabetes
• Amyloid
• Nutritional (eg B12 deficiency)
• Guillain-Barre
• Toxic (eg amiodarone)
• Heriditary
• Endocrine
• Recurring (10% of G-B) Alcohol
• Pb (lead)
• Idiopathic
• Sarcoid
• Thyroid
  • Author: Ben Campbell University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand

R

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome: cause and common feature: “Ramsay Hunt”:

• ­ Etiology:
• Reactivated
• Herpes zoster
• ­ Complication:
• Reduced
• Hearing
  • Author: Rinku S. Uberoi UNIBE

S

Stroke risk factors: HEADS:

• Hypertension/ Hyperlipidemia
• Elderly
• Atrial fib
• Diabetes mellitus/ Drugs (cocaine)
• Smoking/ Sex (male)
  • Author: Rinku S. Uberoi UNIBE

Status epilepticus: treatment: “Thank Goodness All Cerebral Bursts Dissipate”:

• Thiamine
• Glucose
• Ativan
• Cerebyx
• Barbiturate
• Diprivan
  • Author: D. Broughton, MD

V

Vertigo: differential: VOMITS:

• Vestibulitis
• Ototoxic drugs
• Meniere’s disease
• Injury
• Tumor
• Spin (benign positional vertigo)
  • Author: J.G. Norris