-
Question 1
Correct
-
A 50-year-old known patient with chronic liver cell disease was admitted complaining of unsteadiness and double vision following an episode of heavy alcohol consumption. On examination, he was confused. there was nystagmus and ataxia. What is the most possible cause for this presentation?
Your Answer: Wernicke's encephalopathy
Explanation:Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a neurological disorder induced by thiamine deficiency and presents with the classic triad of ocular findings, cerebellar dysfunction, and confusion. As alcohol affects thiamine uptake and utilization, thiamine deficiency is usually associated with chronic alcoholism.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 2
Incorrect
-
A 30-year-old painter presents with a burning pain in both feet, which has deteriorated over the last six months. He drinks 60 units of alcohol weekly and has a family history of pernicious anaemia.
On examination he has impairment of all modalities of sensation in both feet but particularly pain, temperature and absent ankle jerks.
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Vitamin B12 deficiency
Correct Answer: Alcoholic peripheral neuropathy
Explanation:Because of the patient’s history of excessive alcohol consumption, there is a strong suspicion of alcoholic peripheral neuropathy. In the UK, alcohol abuse and diabetes are the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 3
Correct
-
A 67-year-old butcher presents with a six month history of a gradually increasing burning sensation in his feet. Examination reveals normal cranial nerves and higher mental function. He has normal bulk, tone, power, light touch, pinprick sensation, coordination and reflexes in upper and lower limbs.
These clinical findings are consistent with which of the following?Your Answer: Small fibre sensory neuropathy
Explanation:The burning sensation described is typical of a neuropathy affecting the small unmyelinated and thinly myelinated nerve fibres. General neurological examination and reflexes are usually normal in this type of neuropathy unless there is coexisting large (myelinated) fibre involvement. Neuropathy affecting the large myelinated sensory fibres generally causes glove and stocking sensory loss and loss of reflexes.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 4
Incorrect
-
A 43-year-old police officer is admitted with a history of unsteadiness and slurring of speech. This has worsened over a period of three months. He complains of a tremor affecting his right hand and diplopia on right lateral gaze. He smokes 30 cigarettes a day and takes regular diclofenac for his arthritis. On examination, he is dysarthric and feels nauseated. Fundoscopy is normal, however there is marked horizontal nystagmus and evidence of a right VI nerve palsy. There also appears to be some mild facial weakness on the right side. Upon conducting Weber's test, a louder tone is heard in the left ear. On conducting the Rinne test, both ears are normal. On examination of the upper limb, there is a right intention tremor and dysdiadochokinesis. Tone, power and reflexes are normal. On examination of the lower limb, tone, power and reflexes are normal, however he appears to walk with a broad-based gait and is leaning to the right.
Lumbar puncture:
Opening pressure 13 cm H20 (5-18)
Protein 0.67 g/l (0.15-0.45)
WCC 3 cells/ml (<5)
Red cell count (RCC) 2 cells/ml (<5)
Glucose 3.2 mmol/l (3.3-4.4)
Blood glucose 5.8 mmol/l (3.0-6.0)
Oligoclonal bands Present
Serum oligoclonal bands Present
Magnetic resonance scan shows a calcified lesion broadly attached to the petrous part of the temporal bone. In view of the above history and findings, what is the likely cause of this patient's symptoms?Your Answer: Primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Correct Answer: Meningioma of the cerebellar pontine angle
Explanation:This patient has a combination of right cerebellar dysfunction with right-sided cranial nerve palsies (VI, VII, and VIII). The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows a calcified meningioma within the right cerebellar pontine area, which would account for these findings. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis shows oligoclonal bands, however, these are matched in the serum, which reflects a systemic inflammatory response from his rheumatoid arthritis.
The MRI scan and CSF analysis would not be consistent with progressive multiple sclerosis. The progressive nature of her symptoms would be against a diagnosis of brainstem infarct, and one would expect more pyramidal signs in the peripheral nervous system.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 5
Correct
-
A 51-year-old man speaks fast and does not take enough breaths before speaking again. He ignores interruptions and does not want to pause in between. What best describes this kind of speech?
Your Answer: Pressure of speech
Explanation:A pressured speech is too fast for the listener to understand and is very difficult to interrupt.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 6
Incorrect
-
A 48-year-old woman presented to you with a history of left side weakness that resolved within 2 hours. A CT scan was done showing reduced blood flow in a certain area. What is the next step regarding investigations?
Your Answer: ECG
Correct Answer: Carotid Doppler plus angiography
Explanation:This is a case of a transient ischemic attack. It is better investigated by carotid duplex to exclude carotid artery stenosis or atherosclerotic changes.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 7
Correct
-
A patient presented with acute onset of mild right hemiparesis affecting the body. He also has evidence of sensory loss on the right hand side. There is evidence of Horner's syndrome and sensory loss on the face on the left hand side.
Which of the following structures are involved?Your Answer: Brain stem
Explanation:The patient is presenting with symptoms of lateral medullary syndrome also known as Wallenberg’s syndrome or posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome, where the symptoms are due to an ischemia in the brainstem. The classical symptoms include contralateral sensory deficits of the trunk region paired with ipsilateral facial sensory deficits.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 8
Correct
-
A 51-year-old woman admitted to the hospital for 3 days due to haemoptysis developed an ataxic gait, visual problems, and altered state of consciousness. What is the most appropriate management of this patient?
Your Answer: High potent vitamins
Explanation:Wernicke’s encephalopathy presents with neurological symptoms as a result of biochemical deficits in the central nervous system due to depleted B-vitamin reserves, particularly thiamine (vitamin B1). Classically, Wernicke encephalopathy is characterised by the triad – ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and confusion. Thiamine treatment should be started immediately and usually continued until clinical improvement ceases.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 9
Correct
-
Which of the following physical findings is least typical on a patient with multiple sclerosis?
Your Answer: Decreased tone
Explanation:Attacks or exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS) are characterized by symptoms that reflect central nervous system (CNS) involvement, hence upper motor neuron symptoms are seen.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 10
Correct
-
An 18-year-old female patient presents with a history of headache and photophobia. You believe that the diagnosis is subarachnoid haemorrhage but your colleague insists on bacterial meningitis. Which of the following would you use to support your diagnosis?
Your Answer: A family history of polycystic renal disease
Explanation:Hypertension could be the result of polycystic renal disease and is a risk factor for subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). What are common in polycystic renal disease are cerebral aneurysms which could rupture if hypertension is present. Both meningitis and SAH can lead to a fluctuating level of consciousness and opiate abuse is not a risk factor for either SAH nor meningitis. Finally, diabetes is not linked with none of the possible diagnoses because hypertension is not a risk factor of diabetes.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 11
Correct
-
A patient presented with complaints of difficulty in swallowing, diplopia on left lateral gaze and ptosis of his left eye. The investigation of choice would be?
Your Answer: Serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies
Explanation:Myasthenia gravis clinically manifests with ptosis, diplopia and difficulty in swallowing. The initial investigation which is needed to confirm the diagnosis would be serum anti-acetylene receptor antibodies, after which other investigations like an EMG should be done.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 12
Correct
-
A 25-year-old athlete presented with a 7-month history of difficulty gripping things. He complained of finding it particularly difficult in cold weather. He remembered his father having similar problems. Upon examination, he had a bilateral ptosis with weakness of the facial muscles. He also had difficulty opening his eyes quickly. Limb examination revealed distal weakness in both hands with difficulty opening and closing both hands quickly. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Myotonic dystrophy
Explanation:Myotonic dystrophy is the most likely diagnosis here.
It is a multisystem disorder causing cognitive impairment, cataracts, cardiac problems and testicular atrophy, as well as affecting the muscles. Patients have muscle weakness, normally worse distally, and/or myotonia (which is worse in cold weather).
On examination, patients may also have frontal balding, a myopathic facies, bilateral ptosis, an ophthalmoplegia and wasting of facial muscles and other limb muscles. Myotonic dystrophy is associated with diabetes mellitus and pituitary dysfunction.
Diagnosis is normally based on clinical features with a characteristic electromyogram (EMG) of myotonic discharges. Creatine kinase is generally normal and muscle biopsy is non-specific. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 13
Correct
-
A 48-year-old patient with diabetes is referred from the Emergency department complaining of dizziness and vomiting.
On examination he is alert and oriented, his pulse is 80 irregularly irregular and BP 160/90 mmHg. There is nystagmus on left lateral gaze and his speech is slurred. On examination of the limbs, you note intention tremor and past pointing. He is ataxic when mobilised.
What is the likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Cerebellar CVA
Explanation:The patient’s presentation with slurred speech, intention tremor and past pointing, as well as ataxia and nystagmus, paired with a history of vertigo suggest the cerebellum as the site of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 14
Incorrect
-
A 34 year male is brought to the emergency by the paramedics who found him unconscious after being hit by a car. However, he regained consciousness and began talking. While waiting for the doctor's review, he suddenly becomes comatose and the condition deteriorates. What will be the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Subdural haemorrhage
Correct Answer: Extradural haemorrhage
Explanation:Extradural haemorrhage occurs as a result of head trauma and subsequent acute haemorrhage, primarily from the middle meningeal artery between the skull and the dura mater. Typical symptoms are due to compression of the brain and appear after a lucid interval that follows an initial loss of consciousness. Increased intracranial pressure leads to a decline in mental status and anisocoria, in which the ipsilateral pupil is dilated. Diagnosis is confirmed by CT (biconvex, hyperdense, sharply demarcated mass). Emergency treatment is necessary and involves neurosurgical opening of the skull and hematoma evacuation.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 15
Incorrect
-
A 52-year-old chef presents to the ED with acute visual changes. He has a past medical history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. On neurological examination, his upper and lower limbs are normal however he has a homonymous hemianopia with central preservation. Where is the most likely cause of his problems within the central nervous system?
Your Answer: Optic tract
Correct Answer: Optic radiation
Explanation:Lesions in the optic radiation can cause a homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing, as a result of collateral circulation offered to macular tracts by the middle cerebral artery.
Lesions in the optic tract also cause a homonymous hemianopia, but without macular sparing.
Lesions in the optic chiasm, optic nerve, and temporal lobe cause bitemporal hemianopia, ipsilateral complete blindness, and superior homonymous quadrantanopia respectively. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 16
Incorrect
-
A 24-year-old male was involved in a traffic collision. X-rays indicated that the neck of the humerus had suffered a fracture. Choose the single most associated nerve injury from the list of options.
Your Answer: Musculocutaneous nerve
Correct Answer: Axillary nerve
Explanation:Fractures in the neck of the humerus are well documented to cause damage to the auxiliary nerve.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 17
Correct
-
A 19 year-old male was brought to the OPD with GCS of 15 after a head injury. After admission his GCS deteriorated to 12. What investigation needs to be done?
Your Answer: CT head
Explanation:CT scan head will be the investigation of choice in this case. The best possible cause will be an intracranial haemorrhage which can be visualized easily with CT scan brain.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 18
Correct
-
A 46-year-old plumber develops chronic, severe pain after sustaining a brachial plexus injury as a result of a motorbike accident. He has had no benefit from paracetamol or ibuprofen. In addition, he has had an unsuccessful trial of amitriptyline. Following recent NICE guidelines, which of the following is the most appropriate medication to consider?
Your Answer: Pregabalin
Explanation:Neuropathic pain may be defined as pain which arises following damage or disruption of the nervous system. It is often difficult to treat and responds poorly to standard analgesia.
The most recent update to the NICE guidelines for management of neuropathic pain occurred in 2013: first-line treatment* includes amitriptyline. If the first-line drug treatment does not work then move on to one of the other 3 drugs: duloxetine, gabapentin or pregabalin. Tramadol may be used as ‘rescue therapy’ for exacerbations of neuropathic pain. Topical capsaicin may be used for localised neuropathic pain (e.g. post-herpetic neuralgia). Pain management clinics may be useful in patients with resistant problems.*please note that for some specific conditions the guidance may vary. For example carbamazepine is used first-line for trigeminal neuralgia.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 19
Correct
-
Regarding cranial nerves, which of the following statements is true?
Your Answer: The vagus nerve supplies the palatal muscles
Explanation:In addition to the pharynx and larynx, the vagus nerve also innervates the palatoglossus of the tongue, and the majority of the muscles of the soft palate.
The lacrimal gland is supplied by the facial nerve.
The glossopharyngeal nerve supplies the parotid salivary gland controlling salivary secretions.
The oculomotor nerve carries parasympathetic efferents to the sphincter pupillae muscle and innervates the superior rectus.
The optic nerve carries sympathetic postganglionic fibres to the dilator pupillae muscle.
The trochlear nerve supplies the superior oblique muscle. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 20
Incorrect
-
A 55-year-old female with a history of osteoarthritis of the knee, obesity and depression, presents with neck and right arm pain. She claims that the pain is present for two months and is triggered by flexing her neck. Clinical examination reveals sensory loss over the middle finger and palm of the hand without any obvious muscle atrophy or weakness. Which nerve root is most probably affected?
Your Answer: C5
Correct Answer: C7
Explanation:The most common cause of cervical radiculopathy is degenerative disease in the cervical spine. In 80-90% of patients with cervical radiculopathy, the C5/C6 or C6/C7 motion segments are affected by degenerative disease and the nearby C6 and/or C7 nerve roots are producing the symptoms. Patients with cervical radiculopathy complain of neck pain and radiating pain in the arm sometimes combined with sensory and motor disturbances in the arm and/or hand. These symptoms are accepted as being caused by the nerve root compression. Middle finger and palm of the hand are mostly rising the suspicion for C7 nerve root and median nerve involvement.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 21
Incorrect
-
A 22 year-old university graduate presented with progressive unsteadiness during walking over the last year. She had been otherwise healthy apart from recent difficulty hearing her lecturer in classes. She took no prescription medication but had occasionally taken cocaine during her first year of college. She also admits to drinking up to 30 units of alcohol per week and smoked 10 cigarettes per day. Her parents were both well, but her father's sister had problems with walking before she died. Examination reveals normal tone and power throughout all four limbs. Reflexes were normal in the upper limbs but decreased at the knees and absent at the ankles. Coordination was normal in all four limbs but her gait was ataxic. Sensation in the upper limbs was normal but decreased vibratory sensation and proprioception was noted to the ankles bilaterally. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Vitamin B12 deficiency
Correct Answer: Friedreich's ataxia
Explanation:Friedreich’s ataxia is an autosomal recessive disorder that usually begins before the end of the teens. It has an estimated prevalence in Europe of 1 in 50,000 and life expectancy is around 40-50 years. Neurological features include a progressive ataxia, cerebellar dysarthria, lower limb areflexia, decreased vibratory sensation and proprioception, and pyramidal weakness. Pes cavus and scoliosis are also both seen. Cardiomyopathy occurs in over 70% of cases. Less common features include optic atrophic, diabetes mellitus, and deafness.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 22
Incorrect
-
A 68-year-old male presented with unbalances and vomiting for 1 week. Which of the following is the best investigations that can be performed to arrive at a diagnosis?
Your Answer: CT Scan of cerebellum
Correct Answer: MRI of Cerebellum
Explanation:Lesions in cerebellum and pontine region should be excluded. So the most appropriate investigation is MRI of cerebellum.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 23
Incorrect
-
A 51-year-old woman complains of sudden onset of severe headache and vomiting that is worse when she is lying flat. Fundoscopy confirms bilateral papilledema. Which is the definitive investigation in this case?
Your Answer: Lumbar puncture
Correct Answer: Computed tomography scan
Explanation:A head CT scan is the best step to rule out a mass lesion or bleed. Since the patient has symptoms that may suggest elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), a lumbar puncture should be consulted first with a neurologist since it is contraindicated in this case due to raised ICP and risk of coning.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 24
Incorrect
-
A 27 year-old ballet instructor presents with 1-day history of left-sided facial weakness and an increased sensitivity to noise in her left ear. She is very anxious because 2 years ago she had some problems with her vision and was told that multiple sclerosis was a possibility. Her medical history is significant only for type 1 diabetes mellitus managed with insulin, and she is also taking a combined oral contraceptive pill. Upon examination, she has a lower motor neuron lesion of the left VII (facial) nerve with Bell's phenomenon present and difficulty closing her left eye. There is no objective hearing loss and no sensory signs. Examination of the auditory meatus and canal is unremarkable. The remainder of the neurological examination appears normal. The next management step in her care should be:
Your Answer: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and cervical spine
Correct Answer: Eye patch and artificial tears
Explanation:From the given history and physical examination findings, this patient has Bell’s palsy. There is no evidence to suggest involvement of any other cranial nerves, which might raise suspicion of a cerebello-pontine angle space-occupying lesion. With her history of possible optic neuritis, there is a possibility that the lesion is in fact a manifestation of multiple sclerosis, although this should be differentiated by examination of an upper motor neuron lesion (with sparing of the forehead facial muscles because of bilateral innervation). In light of her diabetes and the limited evidence of benefit from corticosteroid use, the most sensible first management step for her would be meticulous eye care to avoid corneal ulceration, as a result of the difficulty she is having closing her left eye.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 25
Correct
-
A 23-year-old patient was involved in a MVA. Clinical examination reveals a fixed dilated pupil and reduced consciousness. Which of the following nerves is most likely damaged?
Your Answer: Oculomotor nerve
Explanation:The oculomotor nerve is the 3rd cranial nerve. When damaged it affects the ocular motility causing mainly ptosis or diplopia. Damage to it can also affect the pupillary functions causing pupil dilation and light reflex impairment.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 26
Correct
-
A 74-year-old retired judge who is known to have Alzheimer's disease is examined in clinic. His latest Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score is 18 out of 30. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment option?
Your Answer: Supportive care + donepezil
Explanation:NICE now recommends the three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine) as options for managing mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine is reserved for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 27
Correct
-
A 37-year-old teacher with multiple sclerosis complains that her vision becomes blurred during a hot bath. Which of the following explain this?
Your Answer: Uhthoff's phenomenon
Explanation:Uhthoff’s phenomenon is worsening of vision following a rise in body temperature.
Lhermitte’s sign describes paraesthesia in the limbs on neck flexion.
Oppenheim’s sign is seen when scratching of the inner side of leg leads to extension of the toes. It is a sign of cerebral irritation and is not related to multiple sclerosis.
Werdnig-Hoffman’s disease is also known as spinal muscular atrophy. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 28
Incorrect
-
A 57-year-old architect presents with weakness of the right hand. You note global wasting of the small hand muscles. There is also sensory loss over the medial border of the forearm around the elbow. Which of the following nerve roots is damaged?
Your Answer: C8
Correct Answer: T1
Explanation:This patient has Klumpke’s paralysis due to damage to the T1 nerve root. This root eventually supplies the median and ulnar nerves. The ulnar nerve supplies all of the intrinsic hand muscles except for those of the thenar eminence and the first and second lumbricals, which are innervated by the median nerve.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 29
Correct
-
A 32-year-old female has had an episode of a severe occipital headache. This is accompanied by vomiting and unconsciousness. She has been taken to the emergency department, where she is conscious and completely alert. Her pulse is normal and no abnormal neurological signs are found. From the list of options, choose the next step in her treatment.
Your Answer: CT brain
Explanation:Severe headaches and LOC can be caused by basilar migraines (but here the patient has no neurological deficit and becomes completely alert when recovering from unconscious periods). In order to diagnose basilar migraines, there needs to be a history of at least two other migraine attacks with an aura. The diagnostic criteria of a basilar migraine are not fulfilled and so the patient must not be discharged without a CT scan (or MRI).
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
-
Question 30
Incorrect
-
An 18-year-old, previously well boy was admitted following a generalized tonic-clonic convulsion for 5 minutes with urinary incontinence and eye rolling. On examination, he was drowsy and had bilateral upgoing plantar reflexes. A short while ago he had been playing rugby and had taken a hit to the head. He was apparently normal for a few minutes before fitting. His blood sugar level was normal. Which of the following is the most probable reason for this presentation?
Your Answer: Extradural haematoma
Correct Answer: Post-traumatic seizure
Explanation:The history is suggestive of a post-traumatic seizure which frequently occurs after moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Although upgoing plantars can be identified in a post-ictal status, an intracranial bleed has to be excluded. A single seizure cannot be considered epilepsy
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
-
SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
