Only The Best Of The Neurologists Can Beat This Quiz About Brain Tumors
A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system. The nervous system is made of two parts: the central and peripheral nervous system. It includes the brain and spinal cord. This is a quiz only the best of Neurologists can beat, about brain tumors.
(A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in your brain. )
Take this quiz to test your skills!
- 1.
A 29-year-old woman presents with tinnitus and a sensori-neural hearing loss on the left. The excised mass was seen near the cerebellopontine angle, arising from the left VIIIth nerve. Histology showed a tumor comprising of benign spindle shaped cells with Antoni A and Antoni B type of patterns. What is your diagnosis?
- A.
Ependymoma
- B.
Astrocytoma
- C.
Schwannoma
- D.
Medullaoblastoma
- E.
Glioblastoma multiforme
Correct Answer
C. SchwannomaExplanation
The presence of a tumor near the cerebellopontine angle arising from the VIIIth nerve suggests a diagnosis of Schwannoma. Schwannomas are benign tumors that arise from Schwann cells, which are responsible for myelinating peripheral nerves. The histological findings of benign spindle-shaped cells with Antoni A and Antoni B patterns are consistent with Schwannoma. Ependymoma, Astrocytoma, Medulloblastoma, and Glioblastoma multiforme are not typically associated with the VIIIth nerve and do not exhibit the specific histological features described.Rate this question:
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- 2.
A young boy is brought to the clinic. He appears quite small for his age and complains of not being able to see as well as he used to. Visual field examination reveals a bi-temporal hemianopsia. You suspect a tumor located near the…
- A.
Pituitary gland and stalk
- B.
Calcarine sulcus
- C.
Parieto-occipital sulcus
- D.
Nucleus of cranial nerve III
- E.
Pineal gland
Correct Answer
A. Pituitary gland and stalkExplanation
The correct answer is pituitary gland and stalk. A bi-temporal hemianopsia is characterized by loss of vision in the outer half of the visual field of both eyes. This is typically caused by a lesion in the optic chiasm, which is located near the pituitary gland and stalk. Tumors in this region can compress the optic chiasm, leading to visual field defects. Therefore, based on the symptoms described, the most likely location of the tumor is near the pituitary gland and stalk.Rate this question:
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- 3.
An MRI reveals a large tumor occupying much of the left parietal lobe of a middle aged female patient. An attending resident looks at the image and states that it’s the most common kind of intracranial tumor with, unfortunately, typically a poor prognosis. Such tumors are called…
- A.
Schwannomas
- B.
Oligodendrogliomas
- C.
Meningiomas
- D.
Astrocytomas
- E.
Ependymomas
Correct Answer
D. AstrocytomasExplanation
The attending resident states that the tumor is the most common kind of intracranial tumor with a poor prognosis. This suggests that the tumor belongs to a specific type that is known for being common and having a poor prognosis. The correct answer, astrocytomas, fits this description as they are the most common type of brain tumor and are known for having a poor prognosis. Schwannomas, oligodendrogliomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas are not typically associated with being the most common type of intracranial tumor or having a poor prognosis.Rate this question:
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- 4.
A 58-year-old man was brought to the emergency room after having a seizure. On examination he has a right hemiparesis. An MRI of the brain shows a tumor involving the left fronto-temporal lobes with a large amount of surrounding edema. A brain biopsy is planned. He is admitted to the hospital and started on phenytoin and hyperosmolar fluids i.v. The following morning he is found somnolent and his left pupil is large and unreactive to light. The most likely cause of his pupillary findings is due to:
- A.
Subfalcine herniation causing a stroke through compression of the anterior cerebral artery
- B.
An unwitnessed seizure
- C.
An allergic reaction to phenytoin
- D.
Increased edema leading to uncal herniation and compression of CNIII
- E.
Brainstem compression due to tonsillar herniation
Correct Answer
D. Increased edema leading to uncal herniation and compression of CNIIIExplanation
The most likely cause of the patient's pupillary findings is increased edema leading to uncal herniation and compression of CNIII. The patient's MRI shows a tumor involving the left fronto-temporal lobes with a large amount of surrounding edema. Increased edema can cause herniation, specifically uncal herniation, which occurs when the uncus of the temporal lobe is displaced medially and compresses the third cranial nerve (CNIII). CNIII compression can lead to pupillary findings such as a dilated and unreactive pupil, which is consistent with the patient's symptoms.Rate this question:
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- 5.
A 29-year-old woman with a family history of renal cell carcinoma, presents with gait disturbance and blurred vision; P.E.: has retinal hemangiomas, nystagmus, cerebellar ataxia. An MRI of the brain was ordered. Extracerebral manifestations associated to the main brain pathology in this patient are:
- A.
Secondary polycythemia
- B.
Syringomyelia
- C.
Adrenal hyperplasia
- D.
Cardiac myxoma
- E.
Polycystic kidneys
Correct Answer
A. Secondary polycythemiaExplanation
The correct answer is secondary polycythemia. This is because the patient's symptoms and physical examination findings are consistent with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, which is characterized by the development of multiple tumors and cysts in various organs, including the brain, retina, kidneys, and adrenal glands. One of the manifestations of VHL disease is the development of hemangioblastomas in the cerebellum and retina, which can lead to gait disturbance and blurred vision. Additionally, VHL disease can cause the production of excess erythropoietin, leading to secondary polycythemia.Rate this question:
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- 6.
A 73 year-old-woman attends the clinic complaining of unilateral tinnitus and unilateral hearing loss. On physical examination there is discrete facial weakness and loss of corneal reflex on the same side as the symptoms. Where would the anatomic location be most likely, in order to produce the signs and symptoms in this patient?
- A.
Frontal cortex
- B.
Anterior pituitary
- C.
Anterior horn of upper spinal cord
- D.
Cerebellopontine angle
- E.
Lateral ventricle
Correct Answer
D. Cerebellopontine angleExplanation
The symptoms of unilateral tinnitus, unilateral hearing loss, facial weakness, and loss of corneal reflex on the same side suggest a lesion in the cerebellopontine angle. The cerebellopontine angle is located between the cerebellum and the pons, and it contains important structures such as the facial nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, and the trigeminal nerve. A lesion in this area can result in compression or damage to these nerves, leading to the observed symptoms. The other options listed do not correspond to the anatomical location that would explain the patient's symptoms.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The following list of primary malignancies accounts for the majority of metastatic brain tumors:
- A.
Lung, breast, melanoma
- B.
Testis, ovary, melanoma
- C.
Lung, prostate, uterus
- D.
Pancreas, melanoma, ovary
- E.
Salivary gland, ovary, testis
Correct Answer
A. Lung, breast, melanomaExplanation
The correct answer is lung, breast, melanoma. These three primary malignancies are known to be the most common causes of metastatic brain tumors. Lung cancer often spreads to the brain through the bloodstream, while breast cancer can metastasize to the brain through lymphatic channels or blood vessels. Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is also known for its tendency to spread to the brain. These three primary malignancies have a higher likelihood of metastasizing to the brain compared to the other options listed.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following criteria are used for the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma?
- A.
Pleomorphic glial cells, high mitotic activity, pseudopalisading, and vascular endothelial proliferation
- B.
Cyst with mural nodule, pilocytic astrocytes with Rosenthal fibers
- C.
Well circumscribed nodule, whorls of spindle-shaped cells, and psammoma bodies
- D.
Well circumscribed nodule, “fried-egg” cells, and chicken-wire capillary pattern
Correct Answer
D. Well circumscribed nodule, “fried-egg” cells, and chicken-wire capillary patternExplanation
The criteria used for the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma include a well circumscribed nodule, the presence of "fried-egg" cells, and a chicken-wire capillary pattern. These features are characteristic of oligodendroglioma and help distinguish it from other types of brain tumors. A well circumscribed nodule refers to a distinct and clearly demarcated mass within the brain. "Fried-egg" cells are oligodendroglial cells with round nuclei and clear cytoplasm, resembling a fried egg. The chicken-wire capillary pattern refers to the network of blood vessels that appear like a chicken wire mesh. These criteria together help in the accurate diagnosis of oligodendroglioma.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Pathomorphologic criteria for diagnosis of meningioma are:
- A.
Well circumscribed nodule, whorls of spindle-shaped cells, and psammoma bodies.
- B.
Cyst with mural nodule, pilocytic astrocytes with Rosenthal fibers.
- C.
Well circumscribed nodule, “fried-egg” cells, and chicken-wire capillary pattern.
- D.
Pleomorphic glial cells, high mitotic activity, pseudopalisading, and vascular endothelial proliferation.
Correct Answer
A. Well circumscribed nodule, whorls of spindle-shaped cells, and psammoma bodies.Explanation
The correct answer is well circumscribed nodule, whorls of spindle-shaped cells, and psammoma bodies. Meningiomas are typically characterized by a well-circumscribed nodule, meaning they have a clear boundary separating them from surrounding tissue. They also exhibit whorls of spindle-shaped cells, which refers to the arrangement of cells in a swirling pattern. Psammoma bodies, which are concentrically calcified structures, are often present in meningiomas. These pathomorphologic criteria help in the diagnosis of meningioma.Rate this question:
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May 31, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Aug 28, 2012Quiz Created by
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