Spinal Cord Disorders MCQs

Transferrin saturation , which is normally 25-50%, is obtained by the following formula: Transferrin saturation = (Serum iron × 100) ÷ TIBC, where TIBC is total iron binding capacity. Iron-deficiency states are associated with saturation levels Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21 st ed, Ch: 63, Pg: 436

Only three situations cause microcytic erythrocytosis: β-thalassemia trait, hypoxic erythrocytosis, and PV. With β-thalassemia trait, the RDW is usually normal, whereas with hypoxic erythrocytosis and PV, the RDW may be elevated due to associated iron deficiency. Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21 st ed, Ch: 103, Pg: 804

Vitamin B6 dependency syndromes that require pharmacologic doses of vitamin B6 are cystathionine β-synthase deficiency, pyridoxine-responsive (primarily sideroblastic) anemias, and gyrate atrophy with chorioretinal degeneration due to decreased activity of the mitochondrial enzyme ornithine aminotransferase. In these situations, 100-200 mg/d of oral vitamin B6 is required for treatment.

Sympathetic nerve cells supplying the heart are located in the intermediolateral horn of spinal segments T1 to T5. Sympathetic supply is cardio-acceleratory, and on stimulation, they increase the heart rate, and also dilate coronary arteries. Both parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves form the superficial and deep cardiac plexuses, the branches of which run along the coronary arteries to reach the myocardium.

Weight-bearing joints (the spine in 40% of cases, the hips in 13%, and the knees in 10%) are most commonly affected in skeletal TB The upper thoracic spine is the most common site of spinal TB in children The lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae are usually affected in adults Reference : Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21 st Ed, Ch: 178, Pg: 1365

While the upper thoracic spine is the most common site of spinal TB in children, the lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae are usually affected in adults Reference : Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21 st Ed, Ch: 178, Pg: 1365

Brown Sequard syndrome which describes hemisection of the spinal cord, causes ipsilateral UMN signs and proprioception loss (corticospinal tract and dorsal column decussate at the medulla), and contralateral sensory loss in pain and temprature (the spinothalamic tracts decussate at the same level). The rest of the conditions (syringomyelia, subacute degeneration of cord, Friedrich's ataxia) can cause cerebellar signs or patchy sensory loss but should be bilateral. Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21 st ed, Ch: 442, Pg: 3446

Enterococci act as opportunistic pathogens in severely ill and compromised patients Enterococci are known to cause urinary tract infections; intra abdominal abscesses; wound infections; bacteremia, including catheter-associated blood stream infections; and endocarditis; less commonly, they cause osteoarticular infections and meningitis. Reference : Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21 st Ed, Ch: 149 Pg: 1200