Pathology Outlines
December 7, 2013 - Question 5
A 25 year old male with no significant past medical history presents with six months of progressive headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and trouble seeing. He has been taking acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents without relief. Physical exam is notable for papilledema, positive Rhomberg sign and ataxic gait. Laboratory studies are unremarkable. Imaging studies demonstrate a poorly defined, homogeneous, low-density mass without contrast enhancement within the cerebellum. Patient undergoes neurosurgical resection of the mass, seen below. Which of the following histologic findings, if present, would suggest a pilocytic astrocytoma?
a. Bipolar neoplastic cells with elongated, hairlike processes projecting from either and other neoplastic cells with multiple processes
b. Mixture of cellular processes and nuclei of greater angularity and density than those of the surrounding CNS parenchyma
c. Presence of plump cells containing hyaline pink cytoplasm and lacking Nissl substance
d. Increased cell density with pleomorphism of nuclei in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positivity and increased mitotic figures
e. Increased cell density with pleomorphism of nuclei in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positivity and increased mitotic figures
Check answer here.
Source: BoardVitals, 12/7/2013
December 7, 2013 - Question 5
A 25 year old male with no significant past medical history presents with six months of progressive headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and trouble seeing. He has been taking acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents without relief. Physical exam is notable for papilledema, positive Rhomberg sign and ataxic gait. Laboratory studies are unremarkable. Imaging studies demonstrate a poorly defined, homogeneous, low-density mass without contrast enhancement within the cerebellum. Patient undergoes neurosurgical resection of the mass, seen below. Which of the following histologic findings, if present, would suggest a pilocytic astrocytoma?
a. Bipolar neoplastic cells with elongated, hairlike processes projecting from either and other neoplastic cells with multiple processes
b. Mixture of cellular processes and nuclei of greater angularity and density than those of the surrounding CNS parenchyma
c. Presence of plump cells containing hyaline pink cytoplasm and lacking Nissl substance
d. Increased cell density with pleomorphism of nuclei in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positivity and increased mitotic figures
e. Increased cell density with pleomorphism of nuclei in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positivity and increased mitotic figures
Check answer here.
Source: BoardVitals, 12/7/2013