Seminars in neurology
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Tremor is the most common movement disorder presenting to an outpatient neurology practice and is defined as a rhythmical, involuntary oscillatory movement of a body part. The authors review the clinical examination, classification, and diagnosis of tremor. The pathophysiology of the more common forms of tremor is outlined, and treatment options are discussed. ⋯ Enhanced physiologic tremor, intention tremor, and dystonic tremor are discussed. Further differential diagnoses described in this review include drug- or toxin-induced tremor, neuropathic tremor, psychogenic tremor, orthostatic tremor, palatal tremor, tremor in Wilson's disease, and tremor secondary to cerebral lesions, such as Holmes' tremor (midbrain tremor). An individualized approach to treatment of tremor patients is important, taking into account the degree of disability, including social embarrassment, which the tremor causes in the patient's life.
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Headache is one of the most common complaints among patients presenting to an outpatient neurology practice. The evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of headache can be rather cumbersome and at times quite challenging for even the most seasoned neurologist. ⋯ In this article, the authors review some of the essential elements that are part of headache evaluation including headache-specific history, physical examination, warning signs of secondary headache disorders, and when to consider further studies. They then provide a brief review on the diagnosis of primary headache disorders according to the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD-2), and treatment strategies of the more common primary headache disorders with a focus on migraine, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, tension-type headache, and chronic daily headache.
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Seminars in neurology · Feb 2011
Review Case ReportsOffice evaluation of spine and limb pain: spondylotic radiculopathy and other nonstructural mimickers.
Low back and neck pain, with or without radiculopathy, are one of the most common reasons for referral to an outpatient neurology practice. Determining appropriate treatment relies on establishing an accurate diagnosis of the etiology of the spine or limb pain. The author reviews structural radiculopathies as a result of diskogenic and spondylotic etiologies with an emphasis on the clinical approach and evaluation of these patients (including imaging and electrodiagnostics), identifying management altering neurogenic mimickers of structural radiculopathies (such as infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic myeloradiculitis and radiculoplexopathies), and stratifying patients for treatment.
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"Dizziness" is a common presenting symptom to a neurologist in the outpatient setting. Dizziness can occur as a result of a vestibular disorder involving the peripheral or central vestibular pathways or nonvestibular centers as the result of a disorder of balance, proprioceptive input, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction. A careful clinical history and examination along with ancillary testing can usually lead to determination of the underlying disorder and implementation of the appropriate treatment. The authors review the general approach to the "dizzy" patient in an office-based neurology practice, focusing on the clinical diagnostic features that may help to determine the etiology and treatment options for the dizzy patient.