6. Spine MCQs

A 6-year-old boy with Morquio syndrome (MPS IV) is scheduled for elective dental surgery under general anesthesia. Which of the following preoperative assessments is most critical?

A 45-year-old male with achondroplasia presents with progressively worsening neurogenic claudication. The primary anatomical cause of spinal stenosis in this patient population is:

A 6-month-old infant with diastrophic dysplasia is noted to have a cervical kyphosis on lateral radiographs. Which of the following statements is true regarding this deformity?

A 10-year-old child with pseudoachondroplasia presents for a routine orthopedic evaluation. Which spinal deformity is most prevalent in this condition and warrants close monitoring?

A 4-year-old is diagnosed with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SEDC). This condition is caused by a mutation in which gene, and what is its classic cervical spine manifestation?

An adult with achondroplasia is undergoing lumbar decompression for severe stenosis. Due to the unique anatomy, what surgical technique modification is generally required?

During the evaluation of a child with a mucopolysaccharidosis, differentiating between Morquio syndrome and Hurler syndrome is crucial. Which spinal manifestation is uniquely prominent and severe in Morquio syndrome?

An infant presents with stippled epiphyses on radiographs and asymmetrical shortening of the limbs. What life-threatening spinal abnormality is highly associated with this skeletal dysplasia?

An infant presents with severe bowing of the lower extremities, ambiguous genitalia, and respiratory distress. Which spinal anomaly is a classic feature of this specific skeletal dysplasia?

A neonate is diagnosed with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SEDC). Clinical features include a short trunk, normal-length limbs, and a cleft palate. What is the most dangerous orthopedic complication associated with the cervical spine in this condition?

An 8-year-old boy presents with progressive severe thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis, a short trunk, and normal intelligence. He has a history of bilateral retinal detachments. Which of the following cervical spine abnormalities is most critical to screen for in this patient?

A 6-year-old child presents with extreme ligamentous laxity, short stature, and progressive severe kyphoscoliosis. Urine analysis reveals elevated levels of keratan sulfate. Radiographs demonstrate universal platyspondyly with anterior central beaking. Which of the following is an absolute surgical indication in this disorder?

A 14-year-old boy with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is evaluated for a rapidly progressive spinal deformity. Radiographs show a short, sharp, acutely angulated curve spanning four contiguous vertebrae with severe vertebral wedging and rib penciling. What is the most appropriate management for this specific spinal deformity?

A 6-year-old boy with disproportionate short-trunk dwarfism undergoes preoperative evaluation for severe coxa vara. He has a history of high myopia and a prior retinal detachment. Radiographs reveal flattening of the vertebral bodies. What crucial evaluation must be performed before administering general anesthesia?

A 4-year-old boy with achondroplasia presents with delayed motor milestones, hypotonia, and central sleep apnea. What is the most appropriate initial screening study for this patient's suspected complication?

A newborn presents with short-limbed dwarfism, bilateral clubfeet, hitchhiker thumbs, and cystic swelling of the pinnae. Radiographs reveal a severe mid-cervical kyphosis. What is the typical natural history of this cervical deformity?

A 7-year-old child with a known mutation in the COL2A1 gene requires bilateral femoral osteotomies for severe coxa vara. Associated clinical findings include a barrel chest, myopia, and flat midface. Prior to intubation, which of the following must be evaluated?

A 6-year-old child with a short trunk, coxa vara, and high myopia presents with progressive weakness and hyperreflexia in all four extremities. What is the most critical cervical spine anomaly that must be evaluated in this patient?

A 50-year-old man presents with rapid, painless swelling and severe radiographic destruction of the right shoulder joint over the past 3 months. Neurological exam reveals a loss of pain and temperature sensation in a cape-like distribution over the upper extremities. What is the most appropriate next step in diagnosis?