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Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
 - Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 
 - Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 
 - Alkaline
Liver Function Tests (LFTs) - Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) - Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) - Alkaline phosphatase - Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) - Bilirubin - Unconjugated (Indirect) - Conjugated (Direct) - Prothrombin #Liver #Function #Tests #LFTs #Laboratory #Diagnosis #Testing
Neurological Side Effects of Antipsychotic Drugs
Acute dystonia - Spasm of muscles of tongue, face, neck, back
Neurological Side Effects of Antipsychotic Drugs Acute dystonia - Spasm of muscles of tongue, face, neck, back • Time: 1-5 days. Young, antipsychotic, naive patients at highest risk • Tx: Antiparkinsonian agents are diagnostic and curative Akathisia - Subjective and objective restlessness; not anxiety or "agitation" • Time: 5-60 days • Tx: Reduce dose or change drug; clonazepam, propranolol more effective than antiparkinsonian agents Parkinsonism - Bradykinesia, rigidity, variable tremor, mask facies, shuffling gait • Time: 5-30 days. Elderly at greatest risk • Tx: Dose reduction; change medication; antiparkinsonian agent Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - Extreme rigidity, fever, unstable blood pressure, myoglobinemia; can be fatal • Time: weeks-months. Can persist for days after stopping antipsychotic • Tx: Stop antipsychotic immediately; supportive care; dantrolene and bromocriptine Perioral tremor ("rabbit syndrome") - Perioral tremor (may be a late variant of parkinsonism) • Time: months or years of treatment • Tx: Antiparkinsonian agents often help Tardive dyskinesia - Orofacial dyskinesia; rarely widespread choreoathetosis or dystonia • Time: months or years of treatment. • Tx: May be reversible with early recognition and drug discontinuation VMAT2 inhibitors valbenazine and deutetrabenazine are FDA-approved for TD #Antipsychotic #Drugs #Medications #SideEffects #pharmacology #management
Serotonin Syndrome
 - Rapid onset 
 - Combination of 2+ serotonin agonists 
Mental status changes:
Serotonin Syndrome - Rapid onset - Combination of 2+ serotonin agonists Mental status changes: - Agitation - Pressured speech Autonomic instability: - Tachycardia - Diarrhea - Shivering - Diaphoresis - Mydriasis Neuromuscular abnormalities: - Clonus - Hyperreflexia (lower > upper) - Tremor - Seizure Rx: - Benzodiazepines - Hydration/Cooling - Cyproheptadine #Serotonin #Syndrome #Diagnosis #Management
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Mechanisms and Side Effects
 • Serotonin Syndrome:
   - Autonomic Hyperactivity:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Mechanisms and Side Effects • Serotonin Syndrome: - Autonomic Hyperactivity: Hypertension, Tachycardia, Dilated pupils - Neuromuscular Abnormalities: Ocular Clonus, Tremor, Hyperreflexia, Muscle clonus - Cognitive Changes: Agitation, Akathisia • SSRI Withdrawal Syndrome - Dizziness - Nausea - Tremor - Diaphoresis - Nightmares - "Brain zaps" (Radiating electrical sensations) #SSRIs #Serotonin #Inhibitors #Pathophysiology #Pharmacology #SideEffects #Psychiatry #Diagnosis #Signs #Symptoms
Causes of Tremors - Movement Disorders - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm
Action Tremor - Occurs During Voluntary Muscle
Causes of Tremors - Movement Disorders - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm Action Tremor - Occurs During Voluntary Muscle Movement • Cerebellar Disease (e.g. spinocerebellar ataxia, Vitamin E deficiency, stroke, multiple sclerosis) Resting Tremor - Occurs at Rest • Parkinson's Disease • Midbrain Tremor • Wilson's Disease • Progressive supranuclear palsy • Multiple System Atrophy • Drug-induced Parkinsonism Postural Tremor - Occurs While Held Motionless Against Gravity • Enhanced Physiologic Change • Essential tremor • Dystonia • Metabolic Etiology (Thyroid, Liver, Kidney) • Drugs (Lithium, Amiodarone, Valproate) #Tremors #MovementDisorders #Neurology #Differential #Diagnosis #Algorithm #Causes
Algorithm and Differential Diagnosis of Tremor #Diagnosis #IM #PrimaryCare #Neuro #Tremor #Action #Rest #Differential #Algorithm #Comparison
Algorithm and Differential Diagnosis of Tremor #Diagnosis #IM #PrimaryCare #Neuro #Tremor #Action #Rest #Differential #Algorithm #Comparison #Table #Ddxof
Wave changes during evolution of myocardial damage. #Pathophysiology #Cardiology #EKG #Evolution #Infarct #Ischemia
Wave changes during evolution of myocardial damage. #Pathophysiology #Cardiology #EKG #Evolution #Infarct #Ischemia
Dysphagia Differential Diagnosis Algorithm
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
Structural
 • Tumors
 • Zenker's Diverticulum
 • Foreign Bodv
Neuromuscular Toxic/Metabolic
 • Myasthenia
Dysphagia Differential Diagnosis Algorithm Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Structural • Tumors • Zenker's Diverticulum • Foreign Bodv Neuromuscular Toxic/Metabolic • Myasthenia Gravis • CNS Tumors • Cerebrovascular Accident • MuItiple Sclerosis • Amvotrophic Lateral Sclerosis • Polymyositis Esophageal Dysphagia Intermittent Symptoms • Esophageal Spasm Progressive Symptoms • Scleroderma • Achalasia • Diabetic Neuropathy Intermittent Symptoms • Schatzki Ring • Esophageal Web Progressive Symptoms • Reflux Stricture • Esophageal Cancer #Dysphagia #Differential #Diagnosis #Algorithm #Causes
Pulmonary Renal Syndromes - OnePager Summary
Autoimmune ANCA vasculitis (AAV): GPA (granulomatous with polyangiitis), EGPA (eosinophilic granulomatosis
Pulmonary Renal Syndromes - OnePager Summary Autoimmune ANCA vasculitis (AAV): GPA (granulomatous with polyangiitis), EGPA (eosinophilic granulomatosis w polyangiitis), MPA (microscopic polyangiitis) Anti-basement membrane: Goodpasture Pulmonary Renal Syndromes (PRS) are life-threatening diseases with pulmonary hemorrhage (DAH) & renal failure (glomerulonephritis). Although pulmonary and renal involvement is the defining feature, PRS can affect many organs: • Pulmonary: pulmonary hemorrhage (DAH), asthma in EGPA, tracheal (subglottic stenosis) in GPA, pulmonary nodules, asthma (EGPA) • Renal: (AKI, proteinuria, hematuria) • Inflammatory eye disease: scleritis, uveitis, episcleritis • ENT: sinus, nasal, hearing loss, saddle nose deformity • Cardiac (in EGPA) • Digital ischemia • Cutaneous: palpable purpura 2/2 vasculitis, ulcers, nodules • Neuro: neuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex WORKUP & DIAGNOSIS Labs: • BMP (quantify renal injury), Coags (r/o coagulopathy) • CBC w differential (check eosinophil count for EGPA) • Auto-antibodies: ANCA antibody, Anti-GBM antibody • Urine: UA, Urine protein to creatinine (UPC) ratio • Cardiac: consider BNP, troponin if concern for EGPA • ESR and CRP (non-specific, ESR usually low in anti-GBM) Other tests: • CT chest to evaluate pulmonary involvement • Bronchoscopy: confirm DAH, r/o infection • Echocardiogram for EGPA (↓ LVEF, pericardial effusion) • PFTs (outpatient; increased DLCO after recent DAN) • EMG/NCS for mononeuritis multiplex/neuropathy Diagnosis of PRS: Biopsy (gold standard) or serologies + symptoms (not-optimal but may be necessary) PULMONARY FINDINGS: • AAV or Goodpasture's cause pulmonary capillaritis leading to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) • Diffuse ground glass or consolidative opacities with sparing of the lung periphery is typically seen on chest CT. • BAL reveals increasing blood retum in serial lavages and hemosiderin laden macrophages (diagnostic of DAH) RENAL FINDINGS: • U/A: microscopic or gross hematuria, RBC casts, low grade proteinuria • Path: rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis (fibrinoid necrosis, hypercellular glomeruli, & cellular crescents) • IF staining patterns in crescentic GN by Nick Mark MD @nickmmark and Mithu Maheswaranathan MD @MithuRheum #PRS #Pulmonary #Renal #Syndromes #differential #diagnosis #management #treatment
Transverse Myelitis Overview

Focal inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord resulting in rapid onset of weakness, sensory
Transverse Myelitis Overview Focal inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord resulting in rapid onset of weakness, sensory alterations, and bowel or bladder dysfunction Epidemiology: • 1400 new cases in the US each year • Bimodal peaks between the ages of 10 to 19 years and 30 to 39 years • 10-33% develop MS over a five to ten-year period • 75-90% of cases TM is monophasic Pathophysiology of Transverse Myelitis: • Excessive activation of an immune response against the spinal cord that results in CNS inflammation and tissue damage Mechanisms: • Idiopathic: etiology unknown • Infectious: Direct microbial infection versus molecular mimicry or super-antigen mediated disease • Immune Mediated Transverse Myelitis - Clinical Presentation: Injury to the spinal cord (Myelopathy) without cord compression (MRI) and findings of varying degrees of: 1. Weakness: - Weakness that preferentially affects the flexors of the legs and the extensors of the arms (pyramidal distribution of weakness) - Flaccidity -> Spasticity - Reflexes: decreased or absent initially -> Hyperreflexia develops later 2. Sensory Alterations: - Sensory features: paresthesias ascending from feet with or without back pain at/near level of myelitis 3. Autonomic Dysfunction: - Autonomic: Bowel/Bladder dysfunction, temperature dysregulation, bouts of HTN Diagnostic Criteria: • Sensory, motor, or autonomic dysfunction located at the spinal cord • T2 hyperintense signal change on spinal MRI • No evidence of compressive cord lesion • Bilateral signs and/or symptoms • Clearly defined sensory level • CSF inflammation: CSF pleocytosis, elevated IgG index • Progression hours to days Transverse Myelitis Diagnosis: • Must rule out compressive myelopathies! • Gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the spinal cord - Increased T2 signal and expansion of the cord - No cord compression - More than 2/3 of the cross-sectional area is involved - Focal enlargement - T2WI hyperintensity - Enhancement - TM and tumor the cord is swollen, while in MS and ADEM the cord is not swollen or less swollen - Lesion > 3 levels: Evaluate for NMO, SLE or Sjogren's • CSF: - Abnormal in 50% of cases - Pleocytosis: Mild lymphocytic - Pleocytosis > 100 cells: consider infectious myelitis - Elevated IgG index - Oligoclonal IgG bands (85 to 95% Predictive of MS) • Check Vitamin B12 and copper levels • NMO-IgG (anti-AQP4) should be tested and if negative, MOG-IgG test should be ordered • Infectious causes need to be ruled out • Brain MRI: Check for brain and/or optic nerve lesions suggestive of multiple sclerosis, NMOSD, MOG antibody disorders, or ADEM Transverse Myelitis Etiologies: • Demyelination: - Multiple sclerosis (MS) - Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) - Idiopathic transverse myelitis - ADEM - Post vaccination - Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disorders • Infections: - Herpes zoster, West Nile virus - Herpes simplex virus, HIV, Hep A/B/CMV, TB - Treponema Pallidum - Lyme Disease Mycoplasma - Leptospirosis, Brucellosis - Dengue, EBV, Influenza, Enteroviruses • Idiopathic: - Post Infectious - Post Vaccine • Inflammatory Disorders: - SLE - Neurosarcoidosis - MCTD - Bechet disease - Sjogren - Vasculitis- Heroin • Paraneoplastic: - AntiGAD65, NMDAR, AntiCRMP IgG, Anti-Hu - Antiamphiphysin antibodies • Nutritional Deficiency: - Vitamin B12, E, D, copper Transverse Myelitis Treatment: • Steroids • Plasma exchange • Immunomodulatory agents: IVIG • Cyclophosphamide #Transverse #Myelitis #diagnosis #management #neurology #differential