Neurology — Flashcards

Flashcard 541: 85% of spontaneous SAH are caused by _____

Answer: berry (saccular) aneurysm rupture

Flashcard 542: ALS typically presents with _____ weakness.

Answer: asymmetric

Extra: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) involves both Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) and Lower Motor Neuron (LMN) signs. While it eventually becomes more generalized, the initial presentation is characteristically asymmetric.

Flashcard 543: _____ is used to prevent cerebral vasospasm following a(n) subarachnoid haemorrhage

Answer: Nimodipine (Ca2+ channel blocker)

Flashcard 544: What is the first-line investigation for subdural haemorrhage? _____

Answer: CT

Flashcard 545: Chronic subdural haemorrhage is more common in _____ and the elderly due to cerebral atrophy, which stretches the bridging veins

Answer: alcoholics

Flashcard 546: A(n) _____ is a collection of blood underneath the dura

Answer: subdural haemorrhage (SDH)

Flashcard 547: _____ haemorrhages are caused by tearing of bridging veins that lie between the dura & arachonid mater from trauma

Answer: Subdural

Flashcard 548: 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 549: _____ subdural hematomas appear hyperdense on CT

Answer: Acute

Flashcard 550: Motor neuron disease (MND) subtypes include _____, PBP (progressive bulbar palsy), PLS (primary lateral sclerosis), PMA (progressive muscular atrophy)

Answer: ALS (amytropic lateral sclerosis)