...
Is it acute or gradual onset? If it is acute onset, Bell's palsy, diabetic neuropathy, and cerebral vascular accident must be considered. If it is gradual onset, one must consider an acoustic neuroma, advancing petrositis, or a brain tumor or abscess. ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Spasticity may arise from pyramidal tract lesions anywhere from the spinal cord to the cerebral cortex. Consequently, the differential diagnosis and workup of this type of spasticity is the same as for hemiplegia. Spasticity may also be due to extrapyramidal disorders such as parkinsonism.
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
Differentiate supranuclear facial palsy from peripheral (nuclear) facial palsy. Supranuclear palsy involves predominantly the lower part of the face. Emotional responses may be intact (e.g., the patient may not be able to show you his teeth but will smile in... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
Paralysis is the total loss of voluntary motor function of an affected area and most frequently indicates a serious neurologic problem in the site of distribution of the affected area. The key to correct diagnosis of paralytic syndromes is knowledge of the... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
Although Bell palsy is the most frequent etiology, it is a diagnosis of exclusion; one must thoroughly rule out infections, congenital, developmental, and other causes. Serial electrical testing provides objective monitoring of nerve function and may... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
... READ EXCERPTS »
... This symptom, as opposed to generalized weakness and fatigue (see page 541), is almost invariably due to a neurologic disorder. Consequently, a comprehensive list of causes is developed using neuroanatomy. Muscle weakness or paralysis may be due to
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A facial palsy is usually considered to be Bell palsy and it frequently is. Nevertheless, the clinician who begins treatment without ruling out other possibilities will eventually get burned. Anatomy is the key to recalling these possibilities before the patient leaves the
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central nervous system infection. Acute... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Spasticity is a state of excessive muscle tone manifested by increased resistance to stretching and heightened reflexes. It’s commonly detected by evaluating a muscle’s response to passive movement; a spastic muscle offers more resistance when the passive movement is... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Spastic gait — sometimes referred to as paretic or weak gait — is a stiff, foot-dragging walk caused by unilateral leg muscle hypertonicity. This gait indicates focal damage to the corticospinal tract. The affected leg becomes rigid, with a marked decrease in flexion at the... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Acute (Developing in Hours)
Spinal cord injury
Spinal cord hemorrhage (secondary to vascular malformation, coagulopathy, anticoagulant therapy, trauma)
Spinal cord infarct
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Vocal cord paralysis results from disease of or injury to the superior or, most commonly, the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It may also be congenital.
Causes
Vocal cord paralysis commonly results from the... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central nervous system infection. Acute paralysis may be an early... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Spasticity is a state of excessive muscle tone manifested by increased resistance to stretching and heightened reflexes. It’s commonly detected by evaluating a muscle’s response to passive movement; a spastic muscle offers more resistance when the... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Spastic gait—sometimes referred to as paretic or weak gait—is a stiff, foot- dragging walk caused by unilateral leg muscle hypertonicity. This gait indicates focal damage to the corticospinal tract. The affected leg becomes rigid,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Paralysis of the vocal cords results from disease of or injury to the superior or, most often, the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Causes
Vocal cord paralysis commonly results from the accidental severing of the... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central nervous system infection.
... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central nervous system infection. Acute paralysis may be an early... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Spasticity is a state of excessive muscle tone manifested by increased resistance to stretching and heightened reflexes. Also known as muscle hypertonicity, it’s commonly detected by evaluating a muscle’s response to passive movement; a spastic muscle offers more... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central nervous system infection. Acute paralysis may... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Spasticity is a state of excessive muscle tone manifested by increased resistance to stretching and heightened reflexes. It's commonly detected by evaluating a muscle's response to passive movement; a spastic muscle offers more resistance when the... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Spastic gait—sometimes referred to as paretic or weak gait—is a stiff, foot-dragging walk caused by unilateral leg muscle hypertonicity. This gait indicates focal damage to the corticospinal tract. The affected leg becomes... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
A facial palsy is usually considered to be Bell palsy and it frequently
is. Nevertheless, the clinician who begins treatment without ruling out
other possibilities will eventually get burned. Anatomy is the key to ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
This is hypertonicity of the muscle and is almost invariably due to a
lesion along the pyramidal tract from the spinal cord to the brain.
Knowledge of neuroanatomy is extremely useful in developing a differential
diagnosis.
Spinal cord. This
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
This symptom, as opposed to generalized weakness and fatigue , is almost invariably due to a
neurologic disorder. Consequently, a comprehensive list of causes is
developed using neuroanatomy. Muscle weakness or paralysis may... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
After suffering a stroke, many people experience post-stroke spasticity, muscle tightness that not only impairs mobility, but also impacts the life...
Germs are a fact of life and catching an infectious disease like a cold may seem inevitable. But there are simple ways to protect yourself against...
Stress takes its toll by making us anxious, depressed and not able to function as fully as we'd like. What many don't know is that stress can...
Sleep is necessary to feel refreshed, but now we know sleep actually impacts the way the body functions. Sleeping poorly can affect how often you get...