Neurology — Flashcards

Flashcard 511: Progressive bulbar palsy affects _____ motor neurons

Answer: upper & lower

Flashcard 512: What is the definitive management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage? _____ or endovascular coiling

Answer: Neurosurgical clipping

Flashcard 513: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is characterized by a(n) _____ spinal tap appearance

Answer: yellow (xanthochromic)

Flashcard 514: What is the first-line investigation for subarachnoid haemorrhage? _____

Answer: Urgent non-contrast CT

Flashcard 515: If a lumbar puncture is indicated in SAH, it should be performed _____ after symptom onset.

Answer: 12 hours

Extra: Waiting 12 hours allows for the development of **xanthochromia** (bilirubin in the CSF), which is necessary to distinguish a true subarachnoid hemorrhage from a traumatic tap.

Flashcard 516: Primary lateral sclerosis affects _____ motor neurons

Answer: upper

Extra: Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) involves only upper motor neurons (UMN). This distinguishes it from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which involves both UMN and LMN (lower motor neurons).

Flashcard 517: Large acute subdural haemorrhage and chronic subdural haemorrhage compresses the brain and can cause "mass effect" leading to _____ on CT

Answer: mid-line shift

Flashcard 518: 6 hours after a subarachnoid haemorrhage the patient may present with _____ due to chemical meningitis

Answer: nuchal rigidity

Flashcard 519: Progressive bulbar palsy predominantly affects motor neurons in the _____ causing slurred speech & dysphagia

Answer: bulbar region

Extra: Key clinical features: Dysarthria (slurred speech), Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and tongue wasting/fasciculations. \n\nNote: 'Dysphasia' in the original card was corrected to 'dysphagia' as PBP affects the mechanics of swallowing (bulbar LMNs), not cortical language centers.

Flashcard 520: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis typically begins at _____ levels of the spinal cord

Answer: cervical