Headache
This type of sudden, explosive headache reaching peak intensity in under 60 seconds is described as the 'worst headache of your life' and is a red-flag emergency.
What is a thunderclap headache? (Suggests subarachnoid hemorrhage)
This is the most important immediate management for a patient after a concussion — both physical and cognitive versions of it are required.
What is rest? (physical and cognitive rest)
This type of seizure involves loss of consciousness with generalized stiffening (tonic) followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic) of all extremities.
What is a generalized tonic-clonic seizure? (grand mal)
Bell's palsy is caused by inflammation of this cranial nerve, resulting in unilateral facial muscle weakness.
What is cranial nerve VII — the facial nerve?
MS is diagnosed when demyelinating lesions occur in multiple anatomical locations AND at more than one point in time — described as disseminated in space and this.
What is disseminated in time? (McDonald criteria: dissemination in space AND time)
Migraines are often preceded by this sensory phenomenon involving visual disturbances like zigzag lines, tingling, or temporary speech difficulty.
What is an aura?
This dangerous phenomenon occurs when a second concussion happens before the first has healed, potentially causing fatal cerebral edema.
What is second impact syndrome?
This class of medication — including lorazepam and diazepam — is first-line treatment to abort status epilepticus in the emergency department.
What are benzodiazepines?
This virus is the most commonly implicated pathogen in Bell's palsy, thought to reactivate within the geniculate ganglion.
What is herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)?
This imaging modality is the gold standard for diagnosing MS, revealing periventricular white matter plaques that are hyperintense on T2/FLAIR sequences.
What is MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)?
This class of acute migraine medications works by binding serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors to cause vasoconstriction and block pain pathways.
What are triptans? (e.g., sumatriptan)
A concussion falls into this category on the traumatic brain injury severity scale.
What is mild TBI (mild traumatic brain injury)?
These brief episodes of sudden staring, eye blinking, and unresponsiveness lasting 5–30 seconds are most common in school-aged children and can be mistaken for daydreaming.
What are absence seizures? (petit mal)
Unlike a central (UMN) facial palsy, Bell's palsy (LMN) affects both upper and lower face. This finding — inability to raise the eyebrow or wrinkle the forehead — confirms it is LMN.
What is forehead involvement? (upper face weakness distinguishing LMN from UMN lesion)
This painful inflammatory condition of the optic nerve — causing unilateral vision loss, a central scotoma, and pain with eye movement — is often the first presenting symptom of MS.
What is optic neuritis?
Unilateral orbital or periorbital pain with ipsilateral lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and ptosis occurring in nightly clusters is characteristic of this headache type, more common in men.
What is a cluster headache?
Persistent symptoms of headache, dizziness, cognitive difficulty, and mood changes lasting beyond 3 months after a concussion are called this syndrome.
What is post-concussion syndrome?
A single seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or two seizures without return to baseline consciousness, defines this neurological emergency.
What is status epilepticus?
When started within 72 hours of onset, this two-drug combination is the recommended first-line treatment for Bell's palsy.
What are oral corticosteroids (prednisone) PLUS antivirals (acyclovir or valacyclovir)?
This phenomenon, named for a German ophthalmologist, describes the temporary worsening of MS symptoms when body temperature increases, such as during exercise or a hot bath.
What is Uhthoff's phenomenon?
Bilateral, non-pulsating pressure described as a band around the head, mild-to-moderate intensity, not worsened by physical activity and without nausea or vomiting.
What is a tension-type headache?
Although findings are often normal, this imaging study is performed acutely after concussion to rule out intracranial hemorrhage using the Canadian CT Head Rule or New Orleans Criteria.
What is a CT scan of the head?
This transient focal weakness or paralysis occurring after a focal motor seizure is named for the 19th-century neurologist who described it.
What is Todd's paralysis (Todd's paresis)?
Patients with Bell's palsy who cannot fully close their eyelid are at risk for this serious ocular complication requiring artificial tears and eye patching.
What is exposure keratitis? (corneal abrasion or ulceration from dryness)
This CSF finding — discrete immunoglobulin bands detected by electrophoresis that are present in CSF but absent in serum — supports a diagnosis of MS.
What are oligoclonal bands?