Volkmann's contracture: which artery is involved in this condition?
Hirschsprung disease is confirmed by ?
What is the most common complication of a felon?
What is the primary condition treated by the Kasai operation?
The term 'raspberry tumor' is most commonly associated with which of the following conditions?
A 10 cm tumor is found on the anterior surface of the thigh. What is the most appropriate procedure to obtain a diagnosis?
Periorbital ecchymosis without direct orbital trauma (raccoon eyes) is most commonly associated with injury to:
NEET-PG 2012 - Surgery NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 41: Volkmann's contracture: which artery is involved in this condition?
- A. Radial
- B. Ulnar
- C. Brachial artery (Correct Answer)
- D. Anterior interosseous artery
Explanation: ***Brachial artery*** - **Volkmann's contracture** is an ischemic contracture of the forearm muscles, classically caused by injury or compression of the **brachial artery** - The most common cause is **supracondylar fracture of the humerus** in children, which can damage or compress the brachial artery - Brachial artery injury → **forearm ischemia** → **compartment syndrome** in the anterior (flexor) compartment → muscle necrosis → **ischemic contracture** - The **brachial artery** is the main arterial supply to the forearm, and its compromise leads to the widespread ischemia necessary for Volkmann's contracture - **Clinical features**: Flexion deformity of the wrist and fingers, claw hand, sensory loss in the distribution of median and ulnar nerves *Anterior interosseous artery* - The **anterior interosseous artery** is a branch of the common interosseous artery (from the ulnar artery) that supplies deep forearm muscles - While it contributes to forearm circulation, **isolated injury** to this smaller branch vessel does not typically cause the extensive ischemia required for Volkmann's contracture - The primary vascular pathology in Volkmann's contracture involves the **main arterial trunk** (brachial artery), not its distal branches *Radial* - The **radial artery** is one of the two terminal branches of the brachial artery in the forearm - It primarily supplies the **lateral compartment** and contributes to hand circulation - Isolated radial artery injury does not cause Volkmann's contracture, as the ulnar artery provides collateral circulation - The pathology requires compromise of the **main arterial supply** proximal to the forearm *Ulnar* - The **ulnar artery** is the other terminal branch of the brachial artery - It supplies the **medial forearm** and hand - Similar to radial artery, isolated ulnar artery injury has collateral compensation from the radial artery - Volkmann's contracture requires **proximal arterial compromise** (brachial artery level) affecting the entire forearm blood supply
Question 42: Hirschsprung disease is confirmed by ?
- A. Rectal biopsy (Correct Answer)
- B. Per/Rectal examination
- C. Rectal manometry
- D. X-ray abdomen
Explanation: ***Rectal biopsy*** - A **rectal biopsy** is the most definitive diagnostic test for Hirschsprung disease, revealing the absence of **ganglion cells** in the submucosal and myenteric plexuses. - This procedure involves taking a small tissue sample from the rectum, which is then examined under a microscope for characteristic histological changes. *Per/Rectal examination* - A **per/rectal examination** may reveal an empty rectum followed by a gush of stool and gas upon withdrawal of the finger, which is suggestive but not diagnostic. - It is a **clinical finding** that prompts further investigation but does not provide histological confirmation of aganglionosis. *Rectal manometry* - **Rectal manometry** measures pressures within the rectum and can detect the absence of the **rectoanal inhibitory reflex** (RAIR), a hallmark of Hirschsprung disease. - While highly sensitive, it is a **physiological test** indicating functional abnormalities, but it does not provide the definitive histological diagnosis of aganglionosis. *X-ray abdomen* - An **X-ray of the abdomen** may show dilated loops of bowel proximal to a narrowed, aganglionic segment, indicating intestinal obstruction. - This imaging study is useful for **initial assessment** and identifying signs of obstruction, but it is not specific for Hirschsprung disease and cannot confirm the absence of ganglion cells.
Question 43: What is the most common complication of a felon?
- A. Osteomyelitis (Correct Answer)
- B. Subungual hematoma
- C. Infective arthritis
- D. No complications
Explanation: ***Osteomyelitis*** - A **felon** is a severe infection of the **distal pulp space** of the fingertip, which has numerous fibrous septa. - The tightly compartmentalized nature of this space can lead to increased pressure, compromising blood supply and facilitating the spread of infection to the underlying **phalanx bone**, causing **osteomyelitis**. *Subungual hematoma* - A **subungual hematoma** is a collection of blood under the nail, usually resulting from direct trauma. - It is not a complication of an infection like a felon, but rather a separate traumatic injury. *Infective arthritis* - **Infective arthritis** involves the joint space, typically resulting from direct inoculation, hematogenous spread, or spread from adjacent soft tissue infection. - While possible, it is less common for a felon to directly spread to the **distal interphalangeal joint** compared to the more immediate risk of bone involvement. *No complications* - A **felon** is a serious infection that, if left untreated, almost always leads to complications due to the unique anatomy of the fingertip pulp space. - The high pressure within the compartments of the distal pulp makes it prone to necrosis and spread of infection to adjacent structures.
Question 44: What is the primary condition treated by the Kasai operation?
- A. Biliary atresia (Correct Answer)
- B. Choledochal cyst
- C. Hepatocellular carcinoma
- D. Primary biliary cirrhosis
Explanation: ***Biliary atresia*** - The **Kasai operation**, or **hepatoportoenterostomy**, is the primary surgical treatment for **biliary atresia**, a condition where the bile ducts are blocked or absent. - The procedure aims to establish bile flow from the liver to the small intestine to prevent liver damage. *Choledochal cyst* - A **choledochal cyst** is a congenital dilation of the bile ducts and is typically treated by surgical excision of the cyst and a **Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy**. - While it involves the biliary system, it is a distinct condition from biliary atresia and requires a different surgical approach. *Hepatocellular carcinoma* - **Hepatocellular carcinoma** is a primary liver cancer, and its treatment options range from **surgical resection** and **transplantation** to **chemotherapy** and **radiation**, which are distinctly different from the Kasai operation. - The Kasai operation is not used for malignant conditions of the liver or bile ducts. *Primary biliary cirrhosis* - **Primary biliary cirrhosis** is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the small bile ducts within the liver, causing progressive cholestasis. - Its management is primarily medical, focusing on symptom control and preventing disease progression with drugs like **ursodeoxycholic acid**, and surgery is not a primary treatment.
Question 45: The term 'raspberry tumor' is most commonly associated with which of the following conditions?
- A. Umbilical fistula
- B. Meckel’s diverticulum
- C. Umbilical granuloma (Correct Answer)
- D. Umbilical adenoma
Explanation: ***Umbilical granuloma*** - An **umbilical granuloma** is a common condition in newborns, presenting as a soft, red, moist growth at the umbilicus after the umbilical cord detaches. - Its characteristic appearance, resembling a small red berry, has led to the descriptive term "**raspberry tumor**." *Umbilical fistula* - An **umbilical fistula** is an abnormal connection that can occur between the intestine or bladder and the umbilicus, leading to the discharge of stool or urine from the umbilicus. - It does not present as a fleshy, raspberry-like growth, but rather as an opening with discharge. *Meckel’s diverticulum* - **Meckel's diverticulum** is a remnant of the **vitelline duct**, typically found on the anti-mesenteric border of the ileum, and is a congenital anomaly of the small intestine. - It is an internal structure and does not manifest externally at the umbilicus as a "raspberry tumor." *Umbilical adenoma* - An **umbilical adenoma** is a rare tumor of the umbilicus, often a remnant of the **vitelline duct** or **urachus**, which can present as a reddish mass. - While it can be a reddish mass, the specific term "raspberry tumor" is not commonly associated with umbilical adenoma but rather with umbilical granuloma due to its very distinct granular appearance.
Question 46: A 10 cm tumor is found on the anterior surface of the thigh. What is the most appropriate procedure to obtain a diagnosis?
- A. Incision biopsy (Correct Answer)
- B. Excision biopsy
- C. FNAC
- D. USG
Explanation: ***Incision biopsy*** - An **incision biopsy** is most appropriate for a large tumor (10 cm) to obtain a tissue diagnosis without performing a potentially morbid or disfiguring complete excision upfront. - It involves removing a representative section of the tumor for histopathological analysis, providing adequate tissue for diagnosis, grading, and subtyping. - This allows definitive treatment planning based on confirmed histopathology. *Excision biopsy* - **Excision biopsy** is generally reserved for smaller tumors (typically <3-5 cm) that can be completely resected with acceptable cosmetic and functional outcomes. - Excision of a 10 cm tumor on the thigh would be a significant surgical procedure, potentially causing substantial morbidity, without a prior definitive diagnosis. - Could compromise subsequent definitive surgery if margins are inadequate. *FNAC* - **FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology)** provides only cytological diagnosis, which is insufficient for definitive diagnosis, grading, and subtyping of soft tissue tumors, especially sarcomas. - It misses crucial architectural features and tissue patterns needed for accurate classification. - May yield inadequate or non-diagnostic samples from large heterogeneous tumors. *USG* - **USG (Ultrasound)** is an imaging modality, not a tissue diagnosis procedure. - While useful for characterizing mass features (size, location, vascularity, solid vs cystic), it cannot provide histopathological diagnosis. - The question specifically asks for a procedure to "obtain a diagnosis," which requires tissue sampling for microscopic examination.
Question 47: Periorbital ecchymosis without direct orbital trauma (raccoon eyes) is most commonly associated with injury to:
- A. Base of skull (Correct Answer)
- B. Pinna
- C. Scalp
- D. Eye
Explanation: ***Base of skull*** - **Periorbital ecchymosis** (raccoon eyes) is a classic sign of a **basilar skull fracture**, particularly one involving the **anterior cranial fossa**. - The fracture allows blood to leak from the cranial cavity and track along fascial planes into the periorbital soft tissues. - The key feature is that ecchymosis occurs **without direct trauma to the orbit or eye**, indicating the primary injury is to the **skull base**. - Often associated with CSF rhinorrhea and requires CT imaging for diagnosis. *Eye* - The question specifically states the ecchymosis occurs "**without direct orbital trauma**," meaning the eye/orbit is NOT the site of injury. - The eye region is where the sign **manifests** (blood tracks to this area), but it is not the site of the underlying injury. - Direct eye trauma would cause immediate localized periorbital swelling, not the delayed bilateral "raccoon eyes" pattern. *Pinna* - Pinna (ear) injury can be associated with head trauma, and Battle's sign (retroauricular ecchymosis) indicates temporal bone fracture. - However, pinna injury does not cause periorbital ecchymosis; these are separate findings. *Scalp* - Scalp injuries cause localized bleeding and swelling at the impact site. - While scalp trauma may accompany basilar skull fracture, the scalp itself is not the source of periorbital ecchymosis. - Blood from scalp wounds tracks superficially, not into deep fascial planes leading to the orbits.