Headaches
A new headache in a patient over age 50 with elevated ESR raises concern for this diagnosis.
Giant cell ateritis
This medication improves strength in myasthenia gravis by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
Pyridostigmine
These 2 electrolyte abnormalities are common reversible causes of seizures.
Hyponatremia & Hypoglycemia
A ring-enhancing lesion with central necrosis and surrounding edema in an adult suggests this high-grade tumor
Glioblastoma
First-line imaging modality for suspected acute stroke.
Non-contrast CT scan of the head
This neuropeptide is central to migraine pathophysiology and is the target of newer monoclonal antibody therapies.
CGRP (calcitonin gene–related peptide)
This antiepileptic drug is often preferred in brain tumor patients due to minimal drug interactions
Levetiracetam
NY State recommends that individuals be seizure free for this amount of time before driving.
1 year
This medication is used acutely to reduce vasogenic edema around brain tumors
Dexamethasone
The time window (generally) for IV thrombolysis after symptom onset.
Within 4.5 hours
First-line acute treatment headache characterized by unilateral orbital pain with ipsilateral lacrimation and nasal congestion includes this nonpharmacologic therapy.
High-flow oxygen (for cluster headache)
Asymmetric weakness with fasciculations and both hyperreflexia and atrophy suggests this diagnosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
This class of medication is the first line treatment for acute seizures.
Benzodiazepines
A homogeneously enhancing extra-axial mass with a dural tail is characteristic of this tumor.
Meningioma
This condition should be suspected in young patients with stroke and pregnancy loss.
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
A painful Horner syndrome with headache should raise suspicion for this vascular emergency.
Carotid artery dissection
A young obese woman presents with daily headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, transient visual obscurations, and papilledema. MRI is normal, but LP shows elevated opening pressure
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Antiepileptic drugs can be associated with this potentially fatal skin condition.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). (SJS covers <10% BSA, while TEN covers >30% BSA; 10–30% is considered SJS/TEN overlap)
Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are pathognomonic for this genetic condition
Neurofibromatosis type 2
Lobar hemorrhages in elderly patients are most commonly due to this pathology
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
This newer class of oral medications aborts migraine by antagonizing CGRP receptors without vasoconstriction
Gepants (ex. Ubrelvy, Nurtec, Qulipta)
A neurological disorder characterized by acute symptoms—headache, seizures, confusion, and visual changes—caused by reversible brain swelling.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)
This mimics epilepsy, however EEGs are normal. Can be related to increased stress or trauma.
PNEA (psychogenic non epileptic attacks)
This syndrome is associated with hemangioblastomas, renal cell carcinoma, and pancreatic cysts
Von Hippel-Lindau disease
This syndrome presents with ipsilateral facial loss of pain/temperature and contralateral body loss due to PICA infarct.
Lateral medullary (Wallenberg) syndrome