Neurology Flashcards
You are evaluating a 56-year-old woman who had the onset of midthoracic back pain which has progressed to quadriparesis over the last several days. She has also noted the onset of bilateral severe eye pain and is losing vision in the left eye based on your visual acuity exam. Her imaging is demonstrated below. The underlying pathophysiology of this condition is thought to arise due to autoantibodies against what
A. T lymphocytes
B. Aquaporin channel
C. Myelin
D. Presynaptic calcium channel
E. Postsynaptic acetylcholine channel
A. T lymphocytes
B. Aquaporin channel
C. Myelin
D. Presynaptic calcium channel
E. Postsynaptic acetylcholine channel
This patient has neuromyelitis optica (Devic’s disease) which is a variant of multiple scleorosis that involves the optic nerves and often presents with longitudinal spinal cord T2 signal change that spans three levels (compared with transverse myelitis which does not span that many segments). Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 110.
You are evaluating a 33-year-old woman with AIDS who has the following imaging. She has headaches, mild vision loss, and ataxia. What is the underlying cause of this patient’s condition?
A. BK virus infection
B. Amoeba infection
C. HIV virus infection
D. JC virus infection
E. Toxoplasmosis
A. BK virus infection
B. Amoeba infection
C. HIV virus infection
D. JC virus infection
E. Toxoplasmosis
This patient has classic signs and symptoms of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, caused by JC virus infection that destroys oligodendrocytes in patients with AIDS. It often presents as an asymmetric, parieto-occipital area of demyelination. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 259. Forsting, Jansen. MR Neuroimaging: Brain, Spine, Peripheral Nerves, 2017, page 184.
Ciliary paralysis is seen in what condition listed below?
A. Myasthenia gravis
B. Botulism
C. AIDP
D. CIDP
E. PML
A. Myasthenia gravis
B. Botulism
C. AIDP
D. CIDP
E. PML
Both myasthenia gravis and botulism can affect
extraocular muscles but the pupils are spared in
myasthenia and involved in botulism.
Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board
Review in Neurology, 2007, page 235.
You are evaluating a patient in the emergency department that has an interesting neurologic finding on examination. When you ask the patient to look up, his eyes converge and retract in a bilateral jerk-movement fashion. The lesion is most likely located where?
A. Ventral midbrain
B. Dorsal pons
C. Dorsal midbrain
D. Ventral pons
E. Hypothalamus
A. Ventral midbrain
B. Dorsal pons
C. Dorsal midbrain
D. Ventral pons
E. Hypothalamus
This patient has convergence-retraction nystagmus, which can be a form of Perinaud’s syndrome, caused by compression or destruction of dorsal midbrain nuclei. Further Reading: Alberstone, Benzel, Najm, Steinmetz. Anatomic Basis of Neurologic Diagnosis, 2009, page 453
In a patient with a hypertensive hemorrhage of the pons, what exam finding would you expect?
A. Mydriasis
B. Bilateral third nerve palsy
C. Productive aphasia
D. Miosis
E. Expressive aphasia
A. Mydriasis
B. Bilateral third nerve palsy
C. Productive aphasia
D. Miosis
E. Expressive aphasia
Pontine hemorrhage leads to bilateral pinpoint pupils. This occurs because the descending sympathetic tracts are disrupted while the parasympathetic tracts to the pupil remain intact. Further Reading: Alberstone, Benzel, Najm, Steinmetz. Anatomic Basis of Neurologic Diagnosis, 2009, pages 502–503.
What neuron must be intact for amphetamine (Paredrine) to affect pupillary size?
A. First order neuron
B. Second order neuron
C. Third order neuron
D. Fourth order neuron
E. Fifth order neuron
. First order neuron
B. Second order neuron
C. Third order neuron
D. Fourth order neuron
E. Fifth order neuron
The third order neuron involved in pupillary dilation must be intact for Paredrine to cause dilation of the pupil. Further Reading: Laws, Sheehan. Sellar and Parasellar Tumors, 2012, page 99.
Friedrich’s ataxia is inherited in what fashion?
A. Autosomal recessive
B. Autosomal dominant
C. X-linked recessive
D. Sporadic
E. Autosomal dominant with incomplete
penetrance
A. Autosomal recessive
B. Autosomal dominant
C. X-linked recessive
D. Sporadic
E. Autosomal dominant with incomplete
penetrance
Friedrich’s ataxia is caused by a mutation in the frataxin gene, and dysfunction causes failure of iron transport into mitochondria. It often involves a trinucleotide repeat and causes degeneration of the dentate nucleus and spinocerebellar tract. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 199
The following MRI finding is often demonstrated in what inherited condition?
A. Neurofibromatosis type I
B. Neurofibromatosis type II
C. Sturge-Weber disease
D. Tuberous sclerosis
E. VHL
A. Neurofibromatosis type I
B. Neurofibromatosis type II
C. Sturge-Weber disease
D. Tuberous sclerosis
E. VHL
Sphenoid hypoplasia is often seen in patients with NF1. Further Reading: Harbaugh, Shaffrey, Couldwell, Berger. Neurosurgery Knowledge Update, 2015, page 431
In many patients with HIV that go on to develop intracranial primary lymphoma, what is thought to be the underlying causative mechanism and type of lymphoma?
A. Epstein-Barr virus/T cell type
B. Epstein-Barr virus/B cell type
C. JC virus/T cell type
D. JC virus/B cell type
E. BK virus/B cell type
A. Epstein-Barr virus/T cell type
B. Epstein-Barr virus/B cell type
C. JC virus/T cell type
D. JC virus/B cell type
E. BK virus/B cell type
Lymphoma is thought to develop in up to 5% of patients with HIV. It is associated with Epstein-Barr virus. It is a B cell lymphoma. Treatment involves chemotherapy and dexamethasone as well as whole brain radiation. Survival is short, with the median survival being 3 months. Further Reading: Siddiqi. Neurosurgical Intensive Care, 2017, page 376.
What protein is found in Alzheimer’s-associated neurofibrillary tangles?
A. Amyloid
B. Ubiquitin
C. Tau protein
D. Alpha-synuclein
E. APOE e4
A. Amyloid
B. Ubiquitin
C. Tau protein
D. Alpha-synuclein
E. APOE e4
Neurofibrillary tangles are found in patients with Alzheimer’s dementia. They are comprised of tau protein. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 156.
In patients with advanced Alzheimer’s dementia, neurofibrillary tangles and plaques seen in what region are associated with the highest grade of dementia?
A. Substantia nigra
B. CA1 hippocampus
C. Ventral medulla
D. Occipital cortex
E. Corpus callosum
A. Substantia nigra
B. CA1 hippocampus
C. Ventral medulla
D. Occipital cortex
E. Corpus callosum
Alzheimer’s dementia is graded pathologically, and when neurofibrillary tangles and plaques are found in the occipital cortex, the highest grade (grade IV disease) is diagnosed. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 155.
You are evaluating a 5-year-old boy who has had difficulty with walking since age 3. He has a waddling gait and has difficulty standing due to proximal muscle weakness. A muscle biopsy is demonstrated below. What gene is affected?
A. Emerin/completely absent
B. Emerin/partial dysfunction
C. Dystrophin/completely absent
D. Dystrophin/partial dysfunction
E. Myotonin/completely absent
A. Emerin/completely absent
B. Emerin/partial dysfunction
C. Dystrophin/completely absent
D. Dystrophin/partial dysfunction
E. Myotonin/completely absent
This describes a patient with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, a rapidly progressive muscular dystrophy causing wasting of proximal muscles. It is caused in many cases by a frameshift mutation which leads to complete absence of the dystrophin gene. Becker’s muscle dystrophy causes partial dysfunction of the dystrophin gene but has similar symptoms to Duchenne’s, except that it progresses in a much slower fashion. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 238
Which autoantibody is found in patients with limbic encephalitis
A. Anti-Hu
B. Anti-Yo
C. Anti-Ri
D. Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase
E. Anti-Ma
A. Anti-Hu
B. Anti-Yo
C. Anti-Ri
D. Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase
E. Anti-Ma
Patients with limbic encephalitis can be found to have autoantibodies (Anti-Ma). It is important to rule out herpes encephalitis in these patients. Further Reading: Citow, Macdonald, Refai. Comprehensive Neurosurgery Board Review, 2nd edition, 2010, page 223
You are asked to evaluate a high school football player on the sideline of his football game where he was hit hard on the helmet and appears confused. The brain dysfunction seen during the acute post-concussive syndrome is thought to arise due to what process?You are asked to evaluate a high school football player on the sideline of his football game where he was hit hard on the helmet and appears confused. The brain dysfunction seen during the acute post-concussive syndrome is thought to arise due to what process?
A. Axon disruption
B. Subclinical seizures
C. ATP pump failure
D. Neurotransmitter depletion
E. Excitatory toxicity
A. Axon disruption
B. Subclinical seizures
C. ATP pump failure
D. Neurotransmitter depletion
E. Excitatory toxicity
The cognitive dysfunction that occurs in the postconcussive syndrome is thought to occur due to ATP pump failure at the cellular level. There are multiple cellular events that are also thought to be associated with this condition. Further Reading: Harbaugh, Shaffrey, Couldwell, Berger. Neurosurgery Knowledge Update, 2015, page 757.
What is the best initial management of post-concussive syndrome?
.A. Immediate return to play
B. Cognitive rest
C. Prophylactic antiepileptic medications
D. Opioid pain medications
E. Intensive blood pressure management
A. Immediate return to play
B. Cognitive rest
C. Prophylactic antiepileptic medications
D. Opioid pain medications
E. Intensive blood pressure management
Patients who have experienced a concussion should go through a regimen of cognitive and physical rest until they can progress through stages of increased activity without symptoms. Further Reading: Harbaugh, Shaffrey, Couldwell, Berger. Neurosurgery Knowledge Update, 2015, page 759
You are evaluating a pediatric patient who is thought to have Rasmussen’s encephalitis, resulting from chronic encephalitis with spreading cortical inflammation. This results in epilepsy partialis continua. What is a common treatment technique in these patients?
A. VA nucleus DBS
B. Functional hemispherectomy
C. Medical management
D. Vagal nerve stimulator
E. Motor cortex stimulator
A. VA nucleus DBS
B. Functional hemispherectomy
C. Medical management
D. Vagal nerve stimulator
E. Motor cortex stimulator
Rasmussen’s encephalitis is a debilitating disease process that causes epilepsy partialis continua in some patients. Prolonged seizures lead to intellectual disability and significant brain dysfunction. Functional hemispherectomy has been utilized to treat this condition. Further Reading: Albright, Pollack, Adelson. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Neurosurgery, 3rd edition, 2015, page 986.
You are rotating in the EEG department and see a patient with the following EEG. What is the best medication for this patient?
A. Valproic acid
B. Carbamazepine
C. Ethosuxamide
D. Levetiracetam
E. Zonisamide
A. Valproic acid
B. Carbamazepine
C. Ethosuxamide
D. Levetiracetam
E. Zonisamide
This EEG demonstrates a burst of generalized 3 Hz spike and wave activity associated with absence seizures. These seizures are best treated with ethosuxamide. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 95.
What percentage of patients with an uncomplicated, simple febrile seizure will go on to develop adult epilepsy?
A. < 5%
B. 15%
C. 25%
D. 35%
E. 50%
A. < 5%
B. 15%
C. 25%
D. 35%
E. 50%
In patients who experience a simple febrile seizure, very few (< 5%) will go on to develop any ongoing epilepsy after the initial febrile seizure. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 91
The following MRI demonstrates findings associated with what syndrome
A. Hemimegalencephaly
B. Focal cortical dysplasia
C. Joubert syndrome
D. Lhermitte-Duclos syndrome
E. Rhombencephalosynapsis
A. Hemimegalencephaly
B. Focal cortical dysplasia
C. Joubert syndrome
D. Lhermitte-Duclos syndrome
E. Rhombencephalosynapsis
This MRI demonstrates the “molar tooth” malformation commonly seen in Joubert syndrome. There is cerebellar peduncle hypoplasia, a small midbrain and a batwing-shaped fourth ventricle. Further Reading: Forsting, Jansen. MR Neuroimaging: Brain, Spine, Peripheral Nerves, 2017, page 316
How do patients with postoperative brachial neuritis (Parsonage-Turner syndrome) present?
A. Pain before weakness
B. Weakness before pain
C. Weakness alone
D. Pain alone
E. Hyperreflexia alone
A. Pain before weakness
B. Weakness before pain
C. Weakness alone
D. Pain alone
E. Hyperreflexia alone
Brachial neuritis can occur after viral infection, and sometimes in the postoperative setting. The full pathophysiology is not well understood, but is thought to be an inflammatory reaction in multiple nerve distributions. It presents with severe shoulder pain followed by resolution and then development of motor weakness of the affected extremity. Further Reading: Mackinnon, Yee. Nerve Surgery, 2015, page 403.
In patients with the following finding, what syndrome should you suspect?
A. Sturge-Weber syndrome
B. Neurofibromatosis type I
C. Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome
D. Ataxia telangiectasia
E. Friedrich’s ataxia
A. Sturge-Weber syndrome
B. Neurofibromatosis type I
C. Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome
D. Ataxia telangiectasia
E. Friedrich’s ataxia
This patient has a persistent connection between the extracranial veins and the superior sagittal sinus, known as sinus pericranii. This is often seen in patients with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. Further Reading: Meyers. Differential Diagnosis in Neuroimaging: Head and Neck, 2017, page 43.
You see a patient on rounds that appears to have transverse white lines on her fingernails, also known as Mees’ lines. What toxic exposure are these signs associated with?
A. Lead
B. Arsenic
C. Mercury
D. Strychnine
E. Botulinum toxin
A. Lead
B. Arsenic
C. Mercury
D. Strychnine
E. Botulinum toxin
Mees’ transverse white lines on the fingernails are associated with arsenic exposure. Further Reading: Citow, Macdonald, Refai. Comprehensive Neurosurgery Board Review, 2nd edition, 2010, page 296.
A patient with a PTEN mutation may be found to have what underlying process?
A. Dysembryoplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum
B. Optic glioma
C. Brainstem cavernous malformation
D. Butterfly glioma
E. Multiple meningiomas
A. Dysembryoplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum
B. Optic glioma
C. Brainstem cavernous malformation
D. Butterfly glioma
E. Multiple meningiomas
Dysembryoplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum (Lhermitte-Duclos disease) is a finding associated with PTEN mutations and Cowden’s syndrome. This syndrome is also associated with multiple trichilemmomas, breast, and endometrial carcinoma. Further Reading: Bernstein, Berger. Neuro-Oncology: The Essentials, 3rd edition, 2015, page
Patients with narcolepsy exhibit onset of what sleep stage immediately upon falling asleep?
A. Stage II sleep
B. Stage IV sleep
C. REM sleep
D. Stage I sleep
E. Stage III sleep
A. Stage II sleep
B. Stage IV sleep
C. REM sleep
D. Stage I sleep
E. Stage III sleep
Patients with narcolepsy exhibit sleep-onset REM. This is classic for this condition. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 167.
When reading an EEG, what electrode corresponds to the right frontal region?
A. F1
B. F2
C. C3
D. C4
E. O2
A. F1
B. F2
C. C3
D. C4
E. O2
EEG electrodes are placed in a standard fashion, with corresponding letters as follows: F = frontal, C = central, P = parietal, O = occipital. Even numbers correspond with the right side of the head, and odd numbers correspond to the left side of the head. Further Reading: Blume WT, Buza RC, Okazaki H. Anatomic correlates of the ten-twenty electrode placement system in infants. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1974; 36(3):303–307. http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/1020.html
Cheyne-Stokes respirations are thought to arise from destruction of what brain region?
A. Medullary destruction
B. Pontine destruction
C. Bifrontal destruction
D. Bithalamic destruction
E. Pontomedullary destruction
A. Medullary destruction
B. Pontine destruction
C. Bifrontal destruction
D. Bithalamic destruction
E. Pontomedullary destruction
While respiratory patterns are difficult and unreliable for diagnosing lesion locations, CheyneStokes respiratory patterns (waxing and waning respiratory patterns) can be seen in patients with bithalamic injury. Further Reading: Rohkamm. Color Atlas of Neurology, 2007, page 118.
Nelson’s syndrome describes what process after bilateral adrenalectomy?
A. Pituitary adenoma enlargement
B. Panhypopituitarism
C. Pituitary apoplexy
D. Spontaneous CSF leak
E. Optic chiasm compression in nonfunctioning
pituitary adenomas
A. Pituitary adenoma enlargement
B. Panhypopituitarism
C. Pituitary apoplexy
D. Spontaneous CSF leak
E. Optic chiasm compression in nonfunctioning
pituitary adenomas
Nelson’s syndrome occurs when a patient with a previously unknown ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma undergoes a bilateral adrenalectomy. Loss of feedback inhibition of ACTH production leads to rapid enlargement of the pituitary adenoma. Further Reading: Gasco, Nader. The Essential Neurosurgery Companion, 2013, page 533.
The patient with the findings depicted in this image would have what findings on laboratory evaluation?
A. Low serum ceruloplasmin, high urine
copper
B. High serum ceruloplasmin, high urine
copper
C. Low serum ceruloplasmin, low urine copper
D. High serum ceruloplasmin, low urine
copper
A. Low serum ceruloplasmin, high urine
copper
B. High serum ceruloplasmin, high urine
copper
C. Low serum ceruloplasmin, low urine copper
D. High serum ceruloplasmin, low urine
copper
This image demonstrates Kayser-Fleischer rings and confirms the diagnosis of Wilson’s disease. This patient would be expected to have low serum ceruloplasmin and high urinary excretion of copper. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 195
Which vein does not drain di29. You are preparing to perform a C6-7 ACDF on a patient with a single-level traumatic jumped facet. You elect to utilize MEP and SSEP monitoring for the case. Before making incision, the monitoring technician informs you that there is prolonged latency of the ulnar SSEPs at Erb’s point on the right. What is the most likely cause of this change?rectly into the great cerebral vein of Galen?
A. Spinal cord compression
B. Positioning-related brachial plexus
compression
C. Intracranial hemorrhage, parietal cortex
D. Spinal cord vascular compromise
E. Intracranial hemorrhage, thalamus
A. Spinal cord compression
B. Positioning-related brachial plexus compression
C. Intracranial hemorrhage, parietal cortex
D. Spinal cord vascular compromise
E. Intracranial hemorrhage, thalamus
Erb’s point is near the shoulder and when sensory latency is prolonged at Erb’s point, a positioning palsy of the brachial plexus should be considered. In this case, with a low ACDF, pulling on the shoulders to achieve a better X-ray line of sight can lead to brachial plexus traction. Further Reading: Newton, O’Brien, Shufflebarger, Betz, Dickson, Harms. Idiopathic Scoliosis, 2011, page 373.
A diabetic third nerve palsy is often?
A. Painful and permanent
B. Painful and temporary
C. Painless and permanent
D. Painless and temporary
A. Painful and permanent
B. Painful and temporary
C. Painless and permanent
D. Painless and temporary
Diabetic third nerve palsies are often pupilsparing (center of the nerve is involved rather than the parasympathetic fibers that travel in the peripheral aspect of the nerve). It is painful and temporary. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 43.
You are evaluating a 32-year-old woman who reports ongoing difficulties with severe, burning pain of the right upper extremity. She has no history of trauma to the extremity. It appears red and warm, and she will not let you touch the extremity due to significant allodynia. She has not had good benefit from medical management. What is another potential treatment for her pain?
A. Limb amputation
B. Sensory neurectomy
C. Percutaneous cordotomy
D. Sympathetic blockade
E. Cervical laminectomy
A. Limb amputation
B. Sensory neurectomy
C. Percutaneous cordotomy
D. Sympathetic blockade
E. Cervical laminectomy
This patient has complex regional pain syndrome type I (no nerve injury). Often medications are used to treat this condition, but when these fail, sympathetic blockade can be considered. Neurectomy and cordotomy may worsen the condition. Further Reading: Harbaugh, Shaffrey, Couldwell, Berger. Neurosurgery Knowledge Update, 2015, page 740.
You are evaluating a 44-year-old man who developed a sudden headache and speech difficulty. His imaging is demonstrated below. What condition might this patient have?
A. Neurofibromatosis
B. AIDS
C. Homocystinuria
D. Phenylketonuria
E. Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome
A. Neurofibromatosis
B. AIDS
C. Homocystinuria
D. Phenylketonuria
E. Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome
This patient has a transverse sinus thrombosis which has resulted in a temporal lobe infarction. Patients with homocystinuria can have prothrombotic states that lead to intracranial sinus thrombosis. Further Reading: Kanekar. Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disorders, 2016, page 213.
You have a patient in burst suppression on pentobarbital for elevated ICP. You decide to turn off the pentobarbital now in order to get a neuro exam. Approximately how long will you have to wait for return of neurological function?
A. 5 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 48 hours
D. 72 hours
E. 100+ hours
A. 5 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 48 hours
D. 72 hours
E. 100+ hours
Pentobarbital is a long-acting sedative that can be used for refractory ICP elevation. When therapy is ceased, it can take 48 hours for neurologic function to return. Further Reading: Siddiqi. Neurosurgical Intensive Care, 2017, page 162.
You are evaluating the EMG of a patient in whom there is an intact F wave, but the H-reflex is absent. Where is the injury most likely located?
A. Motor endplate
B. Distal motor nerve
C. Dorsal root ganglion
D. Upper cervical spine
E. Anterior horn cells
A. Motor endplate
B. Distal motor nerve
C. Dorsal root ganglion
D. Upper cervical spine
E. Anterior horn cells
The H-reflex is used in the S1 nerve and approximates the reflex arc of the spinal cord. Signal is sent through the peripheral sensory nerves and motor response is recorded. The F-wave involves supramaximal stimulation of the peripheral motor nerves and the wave propagates proximally through the nerve root into the spinal canal, also firing several other nerve roots as well in the process. It is a way to determine the integrity of the motor roots. If the H-reflex is absent but the F-wave is normal, the problem is likely to be in the DRG. Further Reading: Fehlings, Boakye, Ditunno, Vaccaro, Rossignol, Burns. Essentials of Spinal Cord Injury, 2013, page 449.
Which of the following findings would help you to determine whether a patient has zoster oticus or Bell’s palsy?
A. Upper facial weakness
B. Lower facial weakness
C. Ear vesicles
D. Facial pain
E. Corneal abrasion
A. Upper facial weakness
B. Lower facial weakness
C. Ear vesicles
D. Facial pain
E. Corneal abrasion
Ramsay Hunt syndrome (zoster oticus) can present similar to Bell’s palsy with facial weakness, but attention should be paid to the development of vesicular rashes on the ear, as this leads to the diagnosis of zoster oticus. Further Reading: Di Ieva, Lee, Cusimano. Handbook of Skull Base Surgery, 2016, page 194.
You are asked to see an 86-year-old woman who reports dizziness. She says she hasn’t really had this before the last 2 days and it seemed to start all of a sudden. She has had difficulty standing and walking due to the dizziness. On exam she has spontaneous, direction changing nystagmus and skew deviation. She reports minimal nausea and no vomiting since onset. What is the next best step in management?
A. Scopolamine patch
B. Otolith repositioning
C. Antibiotics
D. Brain MRI
E. Dexamethasone
A. Scopolamine patch
B. Otolith repositioning
C. Antibiotics
D. Brain MRI
E. Dexamethasone
This patient has vertigo and there are several signs that would make you think this is central in origin rather than peripheral. She is having difficulty standing and walking, it was a fairly acute onset, there is little nausea, and she has both skew deviation and spontaneous direction changing nystagmus. MRI will likely demonstrate a cerebellar stroke. Further Reading: Adunka, Buchman. Otology, Neurotology, and Lateral Skull Base Surgery: An Illustrated Handbook, 2011, page 70
What structure of the auditory system is most sensitive to high volum
A. Tympanic membrane
B. Inner hair cells
C. Outer hair cells
D. Semicircular canals
E. Spiral ganglion
A. Tympanic membrane
B. Inner hair cells
C. Outer hair cells
D. Semicircular canals
E. Spiral ganglion
The inner hair cells of the ear are extremely sensitive to high volume and repeated exposure to high volume can lead to loss of inner hair cells. Further Reading: Greenstein. Greenstein Color Atlas of Neuroscience, 2000, page 258.
Internuclear ophthalmoplegia affects what brainstem tract?
A. Medial longitudinal fasciculus
B. Paramedian pontine reticular formation
C. Corticospinal tract
D. Rubrospinal tract
E. Optic tract
A. Medial longitudinal fasciculus
B. Paramedian pontine reticular formation
C. Corticospinal tract
D. Rubrospinal tract
E. Optic tract
Internuclear ophthalmoplegia can be seen in patients with MS. It is caused by disruption of the medial longitudinal fasciculus, which connects the abducens nucleus to the contralateral oculomotor nucleus in order to preserve conjugate eye movements. Further Reading: Alberstone, Benzel, Najm, Steinmetz. Anatomic Basis of Neurologic Diagnosis, 2009, page 225.
Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome would be classified as what?
A. Polyradiculopathy
B. Mononeuropathy
C. Mononeuropathy multiplex
D. Polyneuropathy
E. Peripheral neuropathy
A. Polyradiculopathy
B. Mononeuropathy
C. Mononeuropathy multiplex
D. Polyneuropathy
E. Peripheral neuropathy
Involvement of multiple, distinct nerves is considered a mononeuropathy multiplex. Further Reading: Rohkamm. Color Atlas of Neurology, 2007, Page 316.
What would you expect to see on EMG of a patient with Lambert-Eaton syndrome?
A. Decremental response
B. Incremental response
C. Steady response
D. No response
A. Decremental response
B. Incremental response
C. Steady response
D. No response
Lambert-Eaton syndrome involves autoantibodies directed against calcium channels on the presynaptic membrane. This decreases neurotransmitter release due to lack of calcium. EMG will initially be flat, but with repetitive actions there will be an incremental response as calcium levels increase. Further Reading: Borsody. Comprehensive Board Review in Neurology, 2007, page 237.