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BMJ Masterclass for Physicians: Neurology

0800 Registration desk opens
0800-0900 REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS
0900-0910 Welcome and introduction by the Chair for the morning sessions

Professor Phil Smith
Consultant Neurologist, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
0910-1000
Vertigo and dizziness
This session will discuss the current investigation and management of dizziness, and the ways in which patients present. Our expert speaker will provide you with tools to help you diagnose and manage the causes of dizziness, including: 
  • Benign positional vertigo
  • Menier's disease
  • Cerebellar lesions
  • Vestibular neuronitis.
Dr Adolfo Bronstein
Professor of Neuro-otology and Consultant Neurologist, Division of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, London
1000-1045 Parkinson's disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder. The greatest risk factor for developing PD is increasing age. PD can easily be missed or misdiagnosed. Functional imaging may be of some help in the accurate diagnosis of PD, but much still rests on clinical acumen and careful observation over time. The speaker will review the NICE guidelines, and give you guidance on the management of PD, including when different drugs should be introduced. The speaker will also cover the use of deep brain stimulation, which may lead to dramatic improvement in motor symptoms, and will explain the need for rigorous case selection which often excludes many people.


Dr Huw Morris
Senior Lecturer in Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff 
1045-1105 REFRESHMENTS
1105-1155

Collapse of unknown cause
This clinic based session will cover the management of patients presenting with:
  • Cardiac syncope
  • Falls
  • Psychogenic attacks
  • Epilepsy.
More unusual causes that you should consider will also be discussed.

Professor Phil Smith

Consultant Neurologist, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
1155-1245

Stroke
Stroke is a condition that all doctors will see as an acute medic on-call. The diagnosis is usually straightforward, but vigilance is required. Detection of “stroke mimics” requires a carefully taken history and may require appropriate brain imaging: this is where diagnostic skill comes into its own.

This session will explore the essential knowledge, tips, tricks, and techniques to help identify the most important stroke mimics.
But beware... you may still need a neurologist!

Dr Rustam Al-Shahi Salman
MRC Clinician Scientist and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
1245-1345 Lunch
1345-1350 Welcome and introduction by the Chair for the afternoon sessions

Dr Geraint Fuller
Consultant Neurologist, Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust; Chair, Neurology Specialty Advisory Committee, Cheltenham
1350-1435
Weakness and sensory symptoms
Making a diagnosis in patients presenting with weakness and sensory symptoms can be difficult. Through a series of interactive case histories, this session will help you to develop a systematic approach to assessing and investigating patients with these symptoms.

Dr Geraint Fuller

Consultant Neurologist, Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust; Chair, Neurology Specialty Advisory Committee, Cheltenham
1435-1455 REFRESHMENTS
1455-1540 Functional disorders
With the use of case histories, our speaker will take you through the practicalities of assessing, diagnosing and managing patients with:
  • Functional weakness
  • Functional movement disorders
  • Dissociative seizures (non-epileptic attacks)
  • Factitious disorders/malingering.
Dr Jon Stone 
Consultant Neurologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
1540-1625 Headache and the acute take
This session will provide an overview of the latest evidence to support the investigation and management of patients who present with headaches. Our expert speaker will discuss case examples and highlight markers to help you recognise and manage serious causes of headache, such as:
  • Subarachnoid haemorrhage
  • Meningitis
  • Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
  • Cervical arterial dissection.
Dr Brendan Davies
Consultant Neurologist and Director, North Midlands Headache Clinic, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent
1625-16350 SUMMARY AND CLOSING REMARKS

PROGRAMME SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ALL CONTENT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY THE EDITOR