WBR0296
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| Author | [[PageAuthor::Ogheneochuko Ajari, MB.BS, MS [1] (Reviewed by Yazan Daaboul, M.D.)]] |
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| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Embryology |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::Neurology |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::A 32-year-old man presents to the physician’s office with complaints of progressive numbness of the arms, weakness, and hiccups. His past medical history is unremarkable, and the patient denies intake of any medications. Physical examination is remarkable for bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensations over the shoulders and the upper extremities in a cape-like distribution. The physician also notes decreased sensation and a motor strength of 3/5 in the upper extremities. MRI of the brain and the neck is performed and demonstrates a dilated fluid-filled cavity in the spinal cord. Which of the following diseases is most commonly associated with this patient's condition?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::Brain tumor that arises from the cells that secrete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) |
| Answer A Explanation | AnswerAExp::Ependymoma is a brain tumor that arises from the ependymal cells, which are cells that secrete CSF. Ependymoma and other brain tumors are a cause of syringomyelia, but they are not the most common cause. |
| Answer B | AnswerB::Hindbrain malformation characterized by the abnormal downward herniation of the cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum |
| Answer B Explanation | AnswerBExp::Syringomyelia is most commonly associated with Chiari I malformation (CMI), a hindbrain malformation characterized by the abnormal downward herniation of the cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum. |
| Answer C | AnswerC::Neural tube defect characterized by the protrusion of the spinal cord and membranes through a defective vertebral column |
| Answer C Explanation | [[AnswerCExp::Myelomeningocele is a neural tube defect that is characterized by the protrusion of the spinal cord and membranes through a defective vertebral column. It involves multiple tissue layers, including the spinal cord, dura, soft tissue, and skin. Chiari II malformation is a congenital deformity of the posterior fossa and the spine that is characterized by an elongated small cerebellum, a small posterior fossa, and a caudal shift of the brainstem due to the disproportionate and rapid development of the brain tissue in the dural posterior fossa. Unlike Chiari I malformation, Chiari II malformation usually manifests early in childhood or even during the neonatal period and is almost always associated with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus.]] |
| Answer D | AnswerD::Congenital deformity of the posterior fossa and the spine caused by the disproportionate and rapid development of the brain tissue in the dural posterior fossa |
| Answer D Explanation | [[AnswerDExp::Chiari II malformation is a congenital deformity of the posterior fossa and the spine that is characterized by an elongated small cerebellum, a small posterior fossa, and a caudal shift of the brainstem due to the disproportionate and rapid development of the brain tissue in the dural posterior fossa. Unlike Chiari I malformation, Chiari II malformation usually manifests early in childhood or even during the neonatal period and is almost always associated with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus.]] |
| Answer E | AnswerE::Agenesis of the cerebellar vermis and cystic enlargement of the fourth ventricle |
| Answer E Explanation | AnswerEExp::Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS) is the agenesis of the cerebellar vermis and cystic enlargement of the fourth ventricle. DWS is classically associated with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::B |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::Syringomyelia is a chronic neurological disease characterized by the presence of a syrinx, an abnormal fluid-filled spinal cord cavity. The lesion is usually located in the lower cervical region, where symptoms are frequently reported at a dermatome level that has a "cape-like" distribution. Since the spinothalamic tract cells cross just ventral to the central canal, the syrinx mainly affects the spinothalamic tract pathway (loss of pain and temperature), where an interruption occurs at the level of the axons that cross through the ventral spinal commissure. Patients may also present with complaints of recurrent bruises or burns in their upper extremities, given their inability to sense the pain and the burning sensation. In contrast, the dorsal column-medial lemniscus and corticospinal pathways are not affected in syringomyelia, and thus the the touch, vibration, proprioception, and pressure sensations (dorsal column-medial lemniscus) and voluntary movement (corticospinal pathway) remain intact. Syringomyelia is most commonly associated with Chiari I malformation (CMI), a congenital hindbrain malformation characterized by the caudal herniation of the cerebellar tonsils at least 3-5 mm below the foramen magnum. The diagnosis of syringomyelia becomes more difficult when Chiari I malformation is present, and patients may manifest symptoms of both diseases simultaneously. Patients with Chiari I malformation are usually asymptomatic at childhood and may present with syringomyelia during early adulthood (25-35 years of age) and/or with headaches and neck pains, abnormal gait, paresthesias in the extremities, and spasticity. Other causes of syringomyelia include trauma, brain tumors, and meningitis, but idiopathic syringomyelia is not uncommon.
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| Approved | Approved::Yes |
| Keyword | WBRKeyword::Malformations, WBRKeyword::Chiari I malformation, WBRKeyword::Chiari II malformation, WBRKeyword::Syringomyelia, WBRKeyword::Myelomeningocele, WBRKeyword::Loss of pain and temperature, WBRKeyword::Spinothalamic tract pathway, WBRKeyword::Pain, WBRKeyword::Temperature, WBRKeyword::Cape-like distribution |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |
