Neurology — Flashcards

Flashcard 521: 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 522: What is the next step management of confirmed subarachnoid haemorrhage? _____

Answer: Refer to neurosurgery!!

Flashcard 523: New bleeding on subdural bleeding "acute on chronic" will appear as _____dense areas on non-contrast CT

Answer: hyper

Flashcard 524: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis typically begins at _____ levels of the spinal cord

Answer: cervical

Flashcard 525: _____ subdural hematomas appear hypodense on CT

Answer: Chronic

Flashcard 526: What is the definitive management of an extradural haematoma? _____

Answer: Urgent decompression → craniotomy → burr holes

Flashcard 527: The sudden onset of a "thunderclap" headache (worst headache of life) is the classic presentation for _____.

Answer: subarachnoid haemorrhage

Extra: - **Most common cause:** Rupture of a Berry aneurysm (usually at the anterior communicating artery). - **Clinical key:** "Worst headache of life", sudden onset (thunderclap), meningisms (nuchal rigidity), without focal neurological deficits usually. - **Investigation:** Non-contrast CT is the initial test of choice (sensitive in first 6-24h). - **If CT is negative but suspicion is high:** Perform a Lumbar Puncture to look for **xanthochromia**.

Flashcard 528: What investigation is done if +ve CT scan for subarachnoid haemorrhage? _____

Answer: CT angiography

Flashcard 529: What type of brain haemorrhage presents insidiously 4 weeks after the initial injury with headache, somnolence, confusion, and focal neurologic deficits? _____

Answer: Chronic subdural haemorrhage

Flashcard 530: What are 3 modifiable risk factors for subarachnoid haemorrhages? _____

Answer: ↑ BP, smoking, alcohol intake