Neuropathology Questions FRCPath - Part 1
Dr Azzam Ismail Consultant Neuropathologist Leeds Teaching Hospital 2022
MCQ 1 You are asked to provide an intraoperative opinion on a frozen section from intr-axial posterior cranial fossa tumour stained with H&E. The patient is a 6 year old boy that presented with headache and vomitting. The lesion is biphasic composed of loose microcystic and more dense areas have low cellularity, composed of elongated cells with very thin and long cystoplasmic processes with occasiaol bright red round bodies. Vascular endothelial proliferation is noted. The preferred diagnosis is:
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2
3
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Ependymoma Neurofibroma Haemangioblastoma Schwannoma Pilocytic astrocytoma
MCQ 2 At a multi-disciplinary team meeting (MDT), a diffusely infiltrating glial tumour in the left parietal lobe from a 55 y old man is discussed. A neurosurgeon asks to see the features associated with poor prognosis. Identify which of the following features you should demonstrate:
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Mitotic figures Nuclear atypia High cellularity Necrosis Endothelial Vascular proliferation
MCQ 3 50y old woman was admitted to hospital with seizures following 2 weeks of progressive headache. MRI scan shows non-enhancing diffusely infiltrating frontal lobe tumour. Partial lobectomy was done and histology shows a diffusely infiltrating glioma and molecular genetic was done . Which of the following molecular genetic tests confirm the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma:
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IDH1/2 mutation & MGMT methylation
IDH1/2 BRAF V600E mutation, P53 mutation mutation & ATRX loss
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IDH1/2 mutation H3 K27M & 1p/19q Comutation & deletion EGFR amplification
MCQ 4 During a Clinico-Pathological Conference a case of Parkinson disease was discussed. A range of Immunocytochemical stains were presented. Which of the following stains will establish the diagnosis conclusively?
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Tau
Ubiquitin
BetaA4
Alpha synuclein
GFAP
MCQ 5 31 year old male diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome since age 25. Gradual deterioration with visual loss and hemiparesis. Dies suddenly. At post-mortem, there are numerous softened coalescing lesions throughout the brain of yellowish/white colour involving the optic nerves, cortical/subcortical region and periventricular white matter. The microscopical examination showed enlarged oligodendrocytes, abnormal astrocytes and myelin pallor. What is the likely aetiology of these lesions?
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Cytomegalovirus HIV
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Toxoplasmosis JC virus
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HSV type II
MCQ 6 60 year old man presented with a few months history of progressive left side headache and visual impairment progressed to perminant visual loss. What is the most likley diagnosis?
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Giant cell arteritis
Thrombosis of Dissection of vertebrointernal basilar system carotid
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Antiphospholipid Venous syndrome thrombosis
EMQ 1 Each one of these subjects had a brain biopsy. For each one select the most likely condition from the list of options. Each option must be used once only.
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Option E
Option F
Option G
Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma
Central neurocytoma
Oligodendroglioma
Astrocytoma
Medulloblastoma
Pilocytic astrocytoma
Simple pineal cyst
Option H
Option I
Option J
Option K
Option L
Option M
Option N
Ependymoma
Lymphoma
Meningioma
Colloid cyst
Acoustic Schwannoma
Metastatic melanoma
Haemangioblast oma
Option 0
Option P
Option Q
Option R
Option S
Option T
Gliosarcoma
Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma
Subependymoma
Giant cell Glioblastoma
Ganglioglioma
Metastatic carcinoma
Question 1
Note 1
5 year old male child exhibiting an enhancing lesion in the cerebellum associated with a cyst. On biopsy there are elongated astrocytes associated with Eosinophilic granular bodies (EGB) and Rosenthal fibres. Mitotic figures are not a feature Question 2
Note 2
24 year old female with an intraventricular tumour near the foramen of Monro. The cut surface of the tumour is uniform, grayish with abundant microcalcifications. Microscoy showed round uniform cells with neuropil islands Question 3
Note 3
23 year old female with a mass in the left temporal lobe. The lesion is well-demarcated and showed reticulin fibres surrounding individual cells associated with Eosinophilic granular bodies. No mitotic figures are seen. Question 4
Note 4
48 year old male with an enhancing cerebellar tumour associated with a cyst. Histologically one can see numerous capillary-size blood vessels and xanthomatous change in stromal cells. Question 5 72 year old male with a tumour in the 4th ventricle, incidental finding at post-mortem due to ischaemic heart disease. The tumour is of low cellularity with a suggestion perivascular pseudorosettes and extensive calcification
Note 5
EMQ 2 Each of these individuals had a lesion in the suprasellar region. For each one select the most likely condition from the list of options. Each option should be used once only.
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Option E
Option F
Option G
Pituitary adenoma
Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma
Lymphoma
Germinoma
Rathke’s cleft cyst
Meningioma
Pilocytic astrocytoma
Option H
Option I
Option J
Option K
Option L
Option M
Option N
Granuloma
Granular cell tumour
Immature Teratoma
Teratoma
Chordoma
Chondroma
Papillary Ependymoma
Option 0
Option P
Option Q
Option R
Option S
Option T
Hypothalamic Hamartoma
Ganglioglioma
Papillary craniopharyngioma
Central Neurocytoma
Neuroblastoma
Colloid cyst
Question 1
Note 1
40 year old male with a history of headache and brainstem dysfunction. CT scan showed a clival lesion with irregular enhancement. Biopsy shows physallipherous and eosinohilic cells arranged in a lobular pattern in a pseudocartilagenous matrix. Tumour cells are positive with EMA. Question 2
Note 2
34 year old female with pituitary dysfunction, headache and decreased visual acuity. MRI shows a 2 mm supratentorial nodule located in the pituitary stalk. Histology shows a biphasic tumour composed of large Eosinophilic cells with vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli associated with numerous clusters of lymphocytes.
Question 3
Note 3
3 year old male with a tectal plate variably enhancing lesion with lobular appearance on MRI. The histology of the small biopsy taken showed low cellularity cartilage with foetal-type glands and embryonic mesenchyme-like sroma Question 4
Note 4
40 year old female died suddenly due to acute hydrocephalus. At post-mortem, there is a cyst in the third ventricle containing proteinaceous material. Histological examination showed a benign epithelial lining on the wall of the cyst. Of cylindrical ciliated epithelium Question 5 45 year old male presenting with headaches. CT/MRI showed an intrasellar enhancing lesion. The working diagnosis was pituitary adenoma. Intraoperative smear shows a monolayer of monotonous cells.
Note 5
EMQ 3 You have undertaken a post-mortem examination on a patient that died with a previous history of ‘dementia’. The cause of death is bronchopneumonia. For each of the following case scenarios please choose the most appropriate diagnosis.
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Option E
Option F
Option G
Alzheimer’s Disease
Diffuse Lewy body Disease
Cerebrovascular disease
Pick’s Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Motor Neurone Disease
Cortico-basal Degeneration
Option H
Option I
Option J
Option K
Option L
Option M
Option N
Huntington’s Disease
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Dementia pugilistica
Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Multiple system atrophy
Parkinson’s Disease
Question 1
Note 1
64 year old male with previous history of parkinsonism and dementia. Post-mortem examination showed pallor of substantia nigra and atrophy of cerebrum. Histology showed Lewy bodies in substantia nigra, subiculum, cingulate gyrus and insular cortices. No neurofibrillary tangles bodies were found. Question 2
Note 2
46 year old female with history of gaze paralysis, nystagmus and ataxia associated with confusion. She had recently been diagnosis with breast cancer, was not eating properly and was somewhat lethargic. At postmortem, brain showed focal haemorrhage in the wall of the third ventricle. Histology showed asymmetrical necrosis of the mammillary bodies associated with numerous newly-formed capillary size blood vessels. Similar changes were identified in the periaqueductal grey matter. Question 3
Note 3
60 year old male with rapid onset of a dementing illness of less than 1 year progression. At post-mortem the brain showed atrophy of the caudate nuclei bilaterally. Histology shows neuronal loss and gliosis in the striatum. No plaques or tangles are seen. Question 4
Note 4
58 year old female with history of progressive asymmetrical parkinsonism who became confused, irritable and forgetful over the last 3 years before death. No diagnosis was ever established. At post-mortem the brain appeared somewhat small with severe atherosclerosis and état lacunare and état criblé. Histology of the brainstem showed no inclusions in the substantia nigra or cortex. Lacunes were quite prominent in the globus pallidus with abundant calcification. Question 5 50 year old male with spatial disortientation, personality changes and impairment of intellect. Brain showed weight of 990 gm, knife-like atrophy of temporal gyri, hydrocephalus ex-vacuo, atrohy of basal ganglia. Histology showed rounded nuclear inclusions in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus reacting with tau antibodies. No Lewy bodies or senile plaques in neocortex.
Note 5
EMQ 4 The following are a series of case scenarios associated with the development of CNS infections. Please indicate what is the most likely aetiological agent.
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Option E
Option F
Option G
Herpes simplex encephalitis
Meningogoccal Meningitis
Tuberculous Meningitis
Viral Meningitis
Crytococcus Meningitis
Fungal abscess
Bacterial abscess
Option H
Option I
Option J
Option K
Option L
Option M
Option N
HIV encephalitis
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Toxoplasmsis
Cerebral Amoebiasis
Cerebral malaria
Cytomegalovir us
Congenital rubella
Option 0
Option P
Option Q
Option R
Option S
Option T
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephilitis
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
Haemorrhagic Leukoencephalopathy
E. coli Meningitis
Pneumococcus Meningitis
VaricellaZoster
Question 1
Note 1
35 year old female IV drug user diagnosed with HIV infection. Developed sudden onset of headache, fever followed by seizure. MRI showed multiple cotton-wool enhancing lesions in the deep white matter of the centrum semiovale. Question 2
Note 2
8 year old boy recently vaccinated against influenza who developed fever, headaches and seizures. Biopsy showed multiple coalescing perivenular demyelinating lesions at the junction of the cortex and subcortical white matter. Question 3
Note 3
13 year old female with chronic otitis media, developed fever, headache, seizures and coma. MRI showed a ring enhancing temporal lobe lesion with a cystic component. Histology of the edge of the lesion showed numerous neutrophils and reactive gliosis with newly-formed blood vessels. Question 4
Note 4
30 year old male who presented with photophobia, headache and vomiting. CSF samples showed increased cellularity with numerous neutrophils, raised protein and low glucose. Question 5 5 year old boy died in a road traffic accident. At post-mortem, he showed microcephaly and intracranial calcifications. He had a previous medical history of severe mental retardation, seizures and deafness. Mother suffered viral infection during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Note 5
References • https://tumourclassification.iarc.who.int/wel come/ • https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/reader/b ooks/9781498721332/epubcfi/6/28%5Bidl oc_013.xhtmlitemref%5D!/4%5Beid70079%5D