Neurology — Flashcards

Flashcard 551: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis typically begins at _____ levels of the spinal cord

Answer: cervical

Flashcard 552: What other management is used for MND besides riluzole? _____

Answer: Non-invasive ventilation (usually BiPap) at night

Flashcard 553: 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 554: 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 555: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects _____ motor neurons

Answer: upper & lower

Flashcard 556: _____ subdural hematomas appear hypodense on CT

Answer: Chronic

Flashcard 557: Subarachnoid haemorrhage is a type of _____ stroke

Answer: haemorrhagic

Flashcard 558: NORMAL findings in a non-contrast CT done > _____ hours of symptom onset for subarachnoid haemorrhage → do a lumbar puncture

Answer: 6

Flashcard 559: What is the first-line investigation for subdural haemorrhage? _____

Answer: CT

Flashcard 560: _____ haematoma is characterised by a(n) hyperdense lentiform (biconvex)-shaped collection of blood on CT

Answer: Extradural