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Question 1
Correct
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A middle-aged male presented in the OPD with scrotal swelling that is cystic in nature and painless. It is located on the posterior part of the testis. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Epididymal Cyst
Explanation:Epididymal cysts present as a swelling is behind the testis and are non-tender/painless in nature.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Men's Health
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Question 2
Incorrect
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A 50-year-old woman is investigated for weight loss and anaemia. Clinical examination reveals splenomegaly associated with pale conjunctivae.
Her full blood count (FBC) report shows:
Hb: 10.9 g/dL
Plts: 702 x 10^9/L
WCC: 56.6 x 10^9/L
Moreover, all stages of granulocyte maturation are seen on her blood film.
Given the likely diagnosis, what should be the most appropriate treatment?Your Answer: Chlorambucil
Correct Answer: Imatinib
Explanation:This patient is a case of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and should be started on imatinib as the first-line drug of choice.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 66-year-old baker presents to the oncology clinic with six-month history of weight loss and anorexia. Tumour marker profile shows an elevated level of bombesin.
Out of the following, which is the most likely cancer to account for this result?Your Answer: Breast carcinoma
Correct Answer: Small cell lung carcinoma
Explanation:Bombesin is a tumour marker elevated in small cell lung carcinomas, as well as in gastric carcinomas and retinoblastomas.
Tumour markers can be divided into:
1. Monoclonal antibodies
CA 125: Ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer
CA 19-9: Pancreatic cancer
CA 15-3: Breast cancer2. Tumour specific antigens
Prostate specific antigen (PSA): Prostatic carcinoma
Alpha-feto protein (AFP): Hepatocellular carcinoma, teratoma
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): Colorectal cancer
S-100: Melanoma, schwannomas
Bombesin: Small cell lung carcinoma, gastric cancer3. Enzymes
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Neuron specific enolase (NSE)4. Hormones
Calcitonin
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 4
Incorrect
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A 33-year-old male was brought in with complaints of an unsteady gait. According to the patient, he suffered a severe headache in the morning, with associated vomiting. Slowly his condition deteriorated until he was unable to walk. On exam, he had nystagmus and there was past pointing of the right arm. He speech was slurred, his uvula was deviated towards the right and there was decreased pinprick sensation on the right half of the body. The most likely site of the lesion in this patient would be?
Your Answer: Right lateral medulla
Correct Answer: Left lateral medulla
Explanation:Loss of sensations in left (ipsilateral) side of the face and contralateral (right) side of the body indicates a defect in left lateral medulla. Further cerebellar signs lead to the diagnosis of Lateral Medullary Syndrome.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 5
Correct
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According to the Vaughan Williams classification of antiarrhythmic agents, lidocaine is a:
Your Answer: Class Ib agent
Explanation:Lidocaine is an example of class IB antiarrhythmics.
The Vaughan-Williams classification of antiarrhythmics
I: Membrane stabilizing agents
IA: Quinidine, Procainamide, Disopyramide
IB: Lidocaine, Mexiletine
IC: Propafenone, Flecainide
II: β blockers – Propranolol, Esmolol
III: Agents widening AP – Amiodarone, Dronedarone, Dofetilide, Ibutilide, Sotalol
IV: Calcium channel blockers – Verapamil, Diltiazem
V: Miscellaneous – Digoxin, adenosine, magnesium -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Pharmacology
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Question 6
Incorrect
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A 35-year-old woman is referred to the oncology clinic by a general surgeon. She has undergone mastectomy for carcinoma of the right breast.
Out of the following, which factor is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer?Your Answer: Oestrogen receptor-positive tumour
Correct Answer: Young age
Explanation:Poor prognostic factors for breast cancer include:
1. Young age (<40 years)
2. Premenopausal at the time of diagnosis
3. Increased tumour size
4. High-grade tumour
5. Oestrogen and progesterone receptor-negative tumour
6. Positive lymph node status -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 7
Correct
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A 4-year-old boy admitted with fever for 2 days had a left sided focal fits, which persisted for 4 minutes. There was no history of head injury. On examination, he was drowsy but there were no focal neurological signs. Urine dipstick was negative. What is the investigation of choice that can be done at this stage to arrive at a diagnosis?
Your Answer: CSF analysis
Explanation:This presentation could be due to either a meningitis or encephalitis, which are clinically not distinguishable from the given history. Encephalitis is mostly viral and in UK herpes simplex virus is the main cause. Advanced neuro imaging and EEG will help to differentiate them however from the given answers CSF analysis is the most appropriate, provided that intracranial pressure is not raised. CSF analysis will help to differentiate a pyogenic meningitis from other forms of meningitis and encephalitis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 8
Correct
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A 56-year-old woman presents with persistent cough, pyrexia, crackles and left sided chest pain which worsens upon deep inspiration. She has a history of smoking. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Pneumonia
Explanation:The clinical picture is very suggestive of pneumonia. Pneumonia presents with chest pain exacerbated by deep breathing, fever and localized crackles or consolidation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 9
Correct
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A 44-year-old call centre worker with asthma is prescribed a leukotriene inhibitor. He presents with severe abdominal pain and a pleural effusion. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the effusion?
Your Answer: Churg-Strauss syndrome
Explanation:Churg-Strauss syndrome is characterised by reactions in the serosal membranes. Hence, pericardial effusions and pleural effusions are common. Cytological analysis of the transudate shows high levels of eosinophils. Leukotriene inhibitors are known to increase the incidence of this syndrome.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Respiratory System
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A 11-year-old girl with a history of recurrent chest infections, was admitted with a fever, productive cough, anorexia and weight loss. On examination she was febrile and tachycardic. Her mother said that the girl was not thriving well. Which of the following organisms is responsible for this presentation?
Your Answer: Mycobacterium TB
Correct Answer: Pseudomonas
Explanation:History of recurrent infections and failure to thrive (probably due to pancreatic enzyme insufficiency) is highly suggestive of cystic fibrosis. Pseudomonas has been identified as an important respiratory pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Infectious Diseases
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A study is developed to compare the calcemia of men and women with Crohn's disease. The objective of the study is to detect any differences between the average calcium levels in men compared to women. Previous studies have shown a normal distribution regarding calcium levels. Which of the the following tests would you most likely apply?
Your Answer: Student's paired t-test
Correct Answer: Student's unpaired t-test
Explanation:A t test is a type of statistical test that is used to compare the means of two groups. It is one of the most widely used statistical hypothesis tests in pain studies. There are two types of statistical inferences: parametric and nonparametric methods. Parametric methods refer to a statistical technique in which one defines the probability distribution of probability variables and makes inferences about the parameters of the distribution. In cases in which the probability distribution cannot be defined, nonparametric methods are employed. T tests are a type of parametric method; they can be used when the samples satisfy the conditions of normality, equal variance, and independence. In this case the data is parametric, comparing two independent samples from the same population.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Evidence Based Medicine
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Question 12
Correct
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A 58-year-old male patient complains of emesis, fatigue, palpitations and weight loss. His blood group is type A. Clinical examination revealed an enlarged liver, ascites and a left supraclavicular lump which is palpable. What is the most probable diagnosis?
Your Answer: Gastric carcinoma
Explanation:Gastric carcinoma may present as atypical general symptoms including emesis, fatigue and weight loss. It may also result in anaemia which might be responsible for the palpitations. The left supraclavicular swelling is referring to Virchow’s node, strongly associated with gastric cancer. Ascites and hepatomegaly generally appear late in the course of the disease and Blood group A has been shown to be associated with gastric cancer.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 13
Incorrect
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A 61-year-old woman with a history of fluent dysphasia is brought by her husband because she's no longer able to understand instructions. Which is the most probable site of arterial occlusion?
Your Answer: Superior division of middle cerebral artery (dominant hemisphere)
Correct Answer: Inferior division of middle cerebral artery (dominant hemisphere)
Explanation:The condition described is called Wernicke’s aphasia and is the result of occlusion of the inferior division of the middle cerebral artery. This type of aphasia is classified as fluent aphasia in which understanding is impaired.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 14
Correct
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A 67-year-old female with end-stage renal failure, presented to her doctor with confusion and a flapping tremor. She has not travelled abroad, has not changed her medication, and does not consume alcohol. Which of the following options would explain her symptoms?
Your Answer: Uraemic encephalopathy
Explanation:Uremic encephalopathy is most often associated with a flapping tremor (as observed in this patient) due to the accumulation of urea. A similar kind of ‘flap’ can be observed in decompensated liver disease due to high levels of ammonia, too.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 15
Correct
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A 17-year-old Caucasian woman presents with lethargy and chronic nausea. Her mother is worried she may be depressed.
On examination, there are signs of chronic liver disease and a gold-yellow ring at the periphery of the iris in both eyes. Her serum copper level is low.
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Wilson's disease
Explanation:This patient has Wilson’s disease. They Kayser-Fleischer ring (ring that encircles the iris) is diagnostic of this. Low serum copper is seen in Wilson’s disease. With the Kayser-Fleischer ring, this makes all of the other answer choices incorrect.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 25-year-old woman presented to the ED with carbon monoxide poisoning. High-flow oxygen was administered immediately. She had a GCS of 15 and her vitals were stable. Which one of the following is not an indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in this scenario?
Your Answer: Loss of consciousness
Correct Answer: A carboxyhaemoglobin concentration of 16%
Explanation: -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 17
Incorrect
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A teenage girl presented in the OPD with a history of amenorrhea. She said she was exercising daily and needs to lose weight. On examination, she is 162 cm in height and 45 kgs in weight. Which of the following is the most probable cause in this case?
Your Answer: LH and FSH levels will be at least twice the normal limit
Correct Answer: Hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia are possibly present
Explanation:This scenario represents anorexia nervosa disorder, a psychological disorder. Extreme weight loss with a strict diet can lead to deficiency of many nutrients like magnesium and calcium. This can also cause amenorrhea.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrine System & Metabolism
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Question 18
Incorrect
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A 78-year-old retired journalist known to have prostatic carcinoma presents to the ED complaining of pain in the spine and the onset of severe lower-leg weakness accompanied by a loss of sensation. On examination, he is found to have percussion tenderness of his spine, loss of sensation up to the umbilicus and a distended bladder. He has markedly reduced power of the lower legs with hyperreflexia. Which of the following should not be part of your management of this patient?
Your Answer: Oral asprin
Correct Answer: Spinal X-rays
Explanation:Acute cord compression is a medical emergency. Typically, signs of segmental damage at the level of compression are usually combined with corticospinal tract dysfunction (e.g., hyperreflexia, Babinski’s sign and weakness) and sensory deficits below the level of compression. Symptoms include spinal pain that precedes the development of weak legs and sensory loss. There may be loss of bladder (and anal) sphincter control, manifesting as hesitancy, frequency and, finally, painless retention.
Spinal X-rays are rarely diagnostic. MRI is usually the investigation of choice and should not be delayed, but if not available consider doing a CT scan and myelography to confirm cord compression and fully define the level and extent of the lesion. If malignancy is the cause, it is important to give dexamethasone (oral or intravenous) while considering therapy more specific to the cause. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 19
Incorrect
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A 62-year-old lady is referred with painless jaundice and weight loss. Bilirubin is 214 mmol/L, alanine transaminase (ALT) 62 U/L, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 605 U/L, albumin 34 g/L and prothrombin time 17 seconds. Ultrasound of the abdomen shows a grossly dilated biliary tree and a dilated pancreatic duct, but no mass is seen.
What is the next most appropriate step in her management?Your Answer: Measure serum CA19-9
Correct Answer: Abdominal CT scan
Explanation:This scenario is suggestive of a pancreatic head mass with obstructive jaundice and US showing a ‘double duct’ sign. A CT Scan would be recommended to evaluate for a pancreatic head mass. If a mass was found, the next step would then be to do an ERCP with EUS to obtain a biopsy of the mass for tissue diagnosis. Laparoscopy would not be recommended. CA19-9 would not be diagnostic.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary System
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Question 20
Correct
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A 3-year-old girl presents to A&E following a few days of being lethargic, having runny nose, sore throat, and fever. She has unceasing stridor and drooling of saliva while her body is inclined forward. What is the most important next step in her management?
Your Answer: Call ENT specialist
Explanation:A consultation with an ENT is required to establish the reason for the child’s drooling and stridor indicating and obstructive process. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids should be checked.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency & Critical Care
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Question 21
Correct
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A 55-year-old woman with established metastatic breast cancer is admitted to the A&E with hypercalcemia. She has a clear medical history, doesn't smoke and works in an office based job. At the A&E she's given intravenous fluids and bisphosphonates. She's finally discharged after normalization of her calcium levels. However, before leaving the hospital she's sent to the endocrinology department for consultation regarding outpatient care and serum calcium monitoring. What is the most appropriate and useful advice for this patient?
Your Answer: Increase fluid intake
Explanation:NICE guidelines on hypercalcemia recommend that maintaining good hydration equals drinking 3-4 L of fluid/day, provided there are no contraindications. A low calcium diet is not necessary because intestinal absorption of calcium is reduced. The patient should avoid any other drugs or vitamins that could worsen the hypercalcemia. Mobilization is encouraged and any symptoms of hypercalcemia should be reported.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 22
Correct
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A patient has an autosomal recessive disorder, which causes lysine, arginine, ornithine and cystine to appear in his urine. The treatment proposed is the combination of urinary alkalinisation with penicillamine. Choose the most likely type of renal calculus present.
Your Answer: Cystine
Explanation:The presence in the urine of cystine, orthinine, arginine and lysine indicate a tubular reabsorption defect. This condition is a hereditary one, and stone formation is more common in homozygotes. The patient has no other abnormalities that could indicate stone formation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 23
Incorrect
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A 53-year-old cashier with a history of chronic back pain presents for a check-up. He is aware of a dragging feeling affecting his left foot when he tries to walk. This has developed since a minor injury to his left knee. On examination, he has weakness of dorsiflexion and eversion of the left foot. The right is unaffected and plantar flexion and inversion are normal on the left. MRI of the spinal cord shows degenerative disc changes at multiple levels, but no evidence of cord or nerve root impingement. Nerve conduction studies and EMG results are pending. Which of the following sensory loss patterns would you expect to find in association with this motor defect?
Your Answer: Sensory loss affecting the big toe only
Correct Answer: Sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot and anterolateral leg
Explanation:This patient presentation is unlikely to be an L5 nerve root lesion given the results of the MRI scan. Therefore, the most likely diagnosis is a mononeuritis affecting the left common peroneal nerve. This would lead to sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot and anterolateral leg on the left.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 24
Incorrect
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A 27-year-old gentleman presents with a 2 year history of involuntary neck movements. There is no history of trauma. He is on no drugs. There is no relevant family history.
On examination he has an episodic right torticollis. The rest of his neurological examination is normal. MRI of his cervical spine is normal. The neurologist in the Movement Disorders Clinic has diagnosed cervical dystonia.
Which of the following treatments will be most beneficial?Your Answer: Haloperidol
Correct Answer: Botulinum toxin
Explanation:Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein from Clostridium botulinum that causes flaccid paralysis as it acts by preventing the release of Ach at the neuromuscular joint. It is the first-line treatment for cervical dystonia (torticollis) because the condition is a neurological disorder characterised by unusual muscle contractions of the neck. With the use of Botulinum toxin, the contractions would be released.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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Question 25
Incorrect
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A 45-year-old male patient who was initially investigated for having an abdominal mass is diagnosed as having Burkitt lymphoma. He is due to start chemotherapy today.
Which one of the following should be given prior to his chemotherapy in order to reduce the risk of tumour lysis syndrome?Your Answer: Allopurinol
Correct Answer: Rasburicase
Explanation:Rasburicase should be given prior to chemotherapy in order to reduce the risk of tumour lysis syndrome (TLS). Rasburicase is a recombinant version of urate oxidase which is an enzyme that metabolizes uric acid to allantoin. Allantoin is 5-10 times more soluble than uric acid, hence, renal excretion is more effective.
TLS is a potentially fatal condition occurring as a complication during the treatment of high-grade lymphomas and leukaemias. It occurs from the simultaneous breakdown (lysis) of the tumour cells and subsequent release of chemicals into the bloodstream. This leads to hyperkalaemia and hyperphosphatemia in the presence of hyponatraemia. TLS can occur in the absence of chemotherapy, but it is usually triggered by the introduction of combination chemotherapy. Awareness of the condition is critical for its prophylactic management.
Burkitt lymphoma is a high-grade B-cell neoplasm. There are two major forms:
1. Endemic (African) form: typically involves maxilla or mandible.
2. Sporadic form: abdominal (e.g. ileocaecal) tumours are the most common form. More common in patients with HIV.Burkitt lymphoma is associated with the c-myc gene translocation, usually t(8;14). The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is strongly implicated in development of the African form of Burkitt lymphoma and to a lesser extent, the sporadic form.
Management of the lymphoma is with chemotherapy. This tends to produce a rapid response which may cause TLS.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology & Oncology
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A 26-year-old male presents with right sided elbow and wrist pain and left sided knee and ankle pain that has persisted for about two weeks. He recently returned from a trip to Thailand that last for two weeks. The patient admits to having unprotected sex while on holiday. Examination reveals swelling and tenderness of tendons around joints but no inflammation of the joints. A vesiculopustular skin rash is also observed. What is the most likely cause?
Your Answer: Reactive arthritis
Correct Answer: Gonococcal arthritis
Explanation:Patients with disseminated gonococcal arthritis may present with dermatitis-arthritis syndrome (60%) of with localized septic arthritis. (40%). Arthritis-dermatitis syndrome includes the classic triad of dermatitis, tenosynovitis, and migratory polyarthritis. Gout usually involves a singe joint and does not cause vesicopustular skin rash. Reactive arthritis has ocular symptoms (conjunctivitis), urethritis, and arthritis. Fungal arthritis occurs rarely and it may occur after a surgical infection or fungal spread hematogenously. it presents with tender, red, hot and swollen joint with loss of range of motion.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Musculoskeletal System
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Question 27
Correct
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A 61-year-old gentleman presents with pain in his right flank and haematuria. A CT scan of the abdomen reveals a large 8 × 8 cm solid mass in the right kidney and a 3 × 3 cm solid mass occupying the upper pole of the left kidney.
What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?Your Answer: Right radical nephrectomy and left partial nephrectomy
Explanation:This patient presents with the classic triad of renal carcinoma: haematuria, loin pain and a mass in the kidneys. Management will entail right radical nephrectomy because of the 8x8cm solid mass and a left partial nephrectomy of the 3x3cm solid mass.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Renal System
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Question 28
Correct
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A 47-year-old man is seen in clinic with a 3 month history of chronic epigastric discomfort. The pain comes and goes and radiates to his back and his right shoulder tip at times. It is worse after meals but there is no relieving factor. He feels nauseous most of the time and has foul-smelling stools. He has lost 2 stones in weight. He also complains of intermittent light-headedness. He drinks a bottle of wine on most nights and smokes 20 cigarettes /day.
On examination, he is thin and looks neglected. His abdomen is soft, but tender on deep palpation in the epigastric area. He has a 2 cm non-tender liver edge. He also has decreased sensation to light touch on both feet.
Bloods:
sodium 131 mmol/l
potassium 4.2 mmol/l
creatine 64 μmol/l
amylase 35 U/l
alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 104 U/l
alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 121 U/l
bilirubin 24 μmol/l
calcium 2.01 mmol/l
whole cell count (WCC) 12.1 × 109/l
haemoglobin (Hb) 10.2 g/dl
platelets 462 × 109/l
abdominal X-ray (AXR) normal
oesophago-gastro duodenoscopy (OGD) mild gastritis
Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) test negative
ultrasound abdomen mildly enlarged liver with fatty change
spleen and kidneys normal
pancreas partially obscured by overlying bowel gas
72-h stool fat 22 g in 72 h
He is referred for a secretin test:
volume collected 110 ml
bicarbonate 52 mEq/l
What is the most likely diagnosis?Your Answer: Chronic pancreatitis
Explanation:The question describes an alcohol abusing man with chronic epigastric discomfort, radiating into his back, worse with meals, and foul-smelling stools, weight loss, as well as chronic nausea. This is likely, thus chronic pancreatitis due to alcohol abuse. Hepatomegaly and peripheral neuropathy secondary to anaemia support the diagnosis of long term alcohol abuse. Bacterial overgrowth may present with diarrhoea and is a less likely diagnosis than pancreatitis. Celiac disease is a less likely diagnosis than pancreatitis, and you would also expect mention of diarrhoea. VIPoma would also likely present with diarrhoea. Cecal carcinoma would more than likely present with blood in the stool.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal System
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Question 29
Correct
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A 65-year-old man, after suffering from a pathological rib fracture, complains of recurrent infection. Bone marrow aspiration revealed a calcium level of 3.9 mmol/l and alkaline phosphatase level of 160u/l. What type of cell would be found in abundance in the marrow spear?
Your Answer: Plasma cells
Explanation:Multiple myeloma or plasma cell myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, responsible for producing antibodies. It often, presents early with no symptoms followed by bone pain and pathological fractures (metastases), raised calcium levels, bleeding, frequent infections, and anaemia. It usually occurs around the age of 61 and is more common in men than women.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Geriatric Medicine
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Question 30
Correct
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A 74-year-old man presents with a history of falls and enuresis. Recently his behaviour has been bizarre but the falling has persisted for the last 12 months. Upon examination he's found to be disorientated for time and place. His gait is clumsy and broad-based. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Explanation:The patient has a history of:
1 – Balance and gait disturbance – falls and broad based clumsy gait
2 – Dementia – strange behaviour and disorientation to time and place
3 – Urinary incontinence – episodes of enuresis.
All of the symptoms constitute the classic triad of normal pressure hydrocephalus. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Nervous System
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
