NEET-PG 2020 - Pathology Practice Questions

Q: A 45-year-old man who is a chronic smoker came to the clinic with a complaint of cough. The physician examines the patient and takes a biopsy. The biopsy image is provided below. Which of the following cellular changes has happened to this patient?

Dysplasia. ***Dysplasia*** - Dysplasia refers to **abnormal growth** and architectural disorganization of cells, often seen in the context of chronic irritation, such as from smoking [1]. - This condition suggests a **precancerous state**, commonly observed in respiratory epithelium exposed to carcinogens [1,2]. *Metaplasia* - Metaplasia involves a **replacement of one type of tissue** with another type more suited to an adverse environment; however, it typically retains the normal architecture . - While chronic smoking can induce metaplasia (e.g., from columnar to squamous), it does not accurately describe the **cellular atypia** observed in this case . *Hyperplasia* - Hyperplasia is characterized by an **increase in the number of cells** in a tissue without atypical features, commonly due to increased demand or hormonal stimulation [1]. - In contrast, this patient exhibits features indicating **cellular abnormalities** rather than merely an increase in cell number. *CIN3* - CIN3 (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia grade 3) is specific to cervical tissue and describes severe dysplasia in that context, not applicable to respiratory epithelium. - This classification indicates high-grade dysplasia but does not fit the **context of smoking-related cellular changes** in the lung epithelium. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Lung, p. 723. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Lung, p. 721. [3] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Cellular Responses to Stress and Toxic Insults: Adaptation, Injury, and Death, p. 49.

Q: In RDS in a child, which cells are found defective?

Type 2 pneumocytes. ***Type 2 pneumocytes*** - **Type 2 pneumocytes** are responsible for producing **surfactant**, which reduces surface tension in the alveoli and prevents their collapse [2], [3]. - In **Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)**, especially in premature infants, these cells are immature or insufficient, leading to **surfactant deficiency** [1]. - This is the **primary cellular defect** in RDS, making it the correct answer [2]. *Bronchial epithelium* - The **bronchial epithelium** primarily lines the conducting airways and is involved in mucociliary clearance, not surfactant production. - Defects in this epithelium are associated with conditions like **bronchitis** or **asthma**, not the primary pathogenesis of RDS. *Type 1 pneumocytes* - **Type 1 pneumocytes** are thin, flat cells that form the majority of the alveolar surface (95%) and are crucial for gas exchange. - While they are affected by the damage in RDS, their primary defect is not the cause of the disease; the underlying problem is **surfactant deficiency** from Type 2 pneumocytes [2]. *Clara cells* - **Clara cells** (now called club cells) are non-ciliated secretory cells found in the bronchioles that produce Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP). - They play a role in detoxification and immune modulation but are **not responsible for surfactant production** or the pathogenesis of RDS. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of Infancy and Childhood, pp. 465-466. [2] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Respiratory Tract Disease, pp. 313-314. [3] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of Infancy and Childhood, p. 466.

Q: 25-year-old man presents for a routine physical examination. The patient is tall and on examination, he was found to have an early diastolic murmur. His family pedigree is given below (image attached). Which of the following is the mode of inheritance by which the disease is likely to be transmitted?

Autosomal Dominant. ***Autosomal Dominant*** - The pedigree shows that the disease appears in every generation, and affected individuals have at least one affected parent (e.g., I-1 passes it to II-1, II-5, II-8). This pattern is characteristic of **dominant inheritance**. - Both males and females are affected, and affected fathers can pass the trait to their sons (e.g., I-1 to II-1), ruling out X-linked inheritance and supporting an **autosomal dominant** mode. *Autosomal Recessive* - In autosomal recessive inheritance, affected individuals typically have **unaffected parents** (who are carriers), and the disease often skips generations. This is not observed in the provided pedigree. - While both males and females can be affected, the presence of affected individuals in every generation and vertical transmission makes recessive inheritance unlikely. *X-Linked Recessive* - X-linked recessive disorders typically show more affected males than females, and affected fathers **cannot pass the trait to their sons**. The pedigree clearly shows affected females and father-to-son transmission (I-1 to II-1 and potentially II-8 to III-6), ruling out this pattern. - Also, all daughters of an affected father would be carriers, and some an affected mother would have affected offspring. *X-Linked Dominant* - In X-linked dominant inheritance, all daughters of an affected father would be affected, and there is no male-to-male transmission. - The pedigree shows instances where affected fathers (like I-1) have unaffected daughters (e.g., II-2, II-4, II-6, II-7), and affected mothers (II-5, II-8) have unaffected children, which contradicts X-linked dominant inheritance.

Q: A 25-Year-old male presented with a 2cm thyroid nodule. A thyroidectomy was done. The histology picture is given below. What could be the diagnosis?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma. ***Papillary carcinoma thyroid*** - Characterized by **papillary structures** and **nuclear features** such as nuclear grooves and overlapping nuclei on histology [1]. - Often presents in young adults and can show **psammoma bodies**, which are indicative of malignancy. *Follicular adenoma* - Generally shows well-circumscribed **follicular structures** without nuclear atypia [2,3]. - Lacks the typical **papillary architecture** and associated aggressive features found in carcinoma. *Graves disease* - Primarily presents with **hyperthyroidism** and diffuse goiter rather than a solitary nodule. - Histologically, it is characterized by **hyperplastic follicles** and does not display features of malignancy. *Adenomatous goitre* - Refers to **nodular enlargement** of the thyroid with benign hyperplastic nodules. - Lacks the **malignant features** present in papillary carcinoma, such as nuclear atypia and invasion. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Endocrine System, p. 1099. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Endocrine System, pp. 1096-1097. [3] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Liver And Biliary System Disease, pp. 428-429.

Q: Loss of foot process is classical in case of?

Segmental glomerulosclerosis. ***Segmental glomerulosclerosis*** - Characterized by a **loss of foot processes**, leading to a "focal" or "segmental" pattern of sclerosis on histology [1][2]. - Often presents with **nephrotic syndrome**, including proteinuria and edema, due to damage to the glomeruli [1][3]. *Membranous glomerulitis* - Primarily involves **thickening of the glomerular capillary walls** without the loss of foot processes initially. - It is often associated with **membrane antibodies** and can lead to nephrotic syndrome, but not specifically linked to foot process loss [2]. *Diabetic nephropathy* - Characterized by **nodular glomerulosclerosis** and other microvascular changes, but the loss of foot processes is not a classic feature. - Typically presents with **diffuse glomerular basement membrane thickening** and eventual renal failure. *IgA nephropathy* - Characterized by the deposition of **IgA antibodies** in the mesangial area, leading to hematuria but not directly causing loss of foot processes. - Symptoms often include **recurrent episodes of hematuria** which can be triggered by infection, rather than nephrotic syndrome. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Kidney, pp. 927-928. [2] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Diseases Of The Urinary And Male Genital Tracts, pp. 530-532. [3] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Kidney, p. 913.

Q: Which of the following is associated with pauci-immune glomerulonephritis?

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). ***Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)*** - **Pauci-immune glomerulonephritis** is characterized by the absence or scarcity of immune complex deposits in the glomeruli. - This is typical of **ANCA-associated vasculitides**, such as GPA (formerly Wegener's granulomatosis), which cause severe necrotising glomerulonephritis with few immune deposits [1]. *Anti-GBM glomerulonephritis* - This condition is characterized by **linear deposition of anti-GBM antibodies** along the glomerular basement membrane, making it an **immune complex-mediated disease**, not pauci-immune [1]. - It involves autoantibodies attacking the **collagen type IV** in the GBM. *SLE nephritis* - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis is a classic example of **immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis**, with abundant immune deposits containing immunoglobulins and complement [1]. - The pathology often shows **full-house immunofluorescence** with IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C1q. *IgA nephropathy* - This is characterized by prominent **mesangial deposition of IgA immune complexes**, which is clearly an immune complex-mediated process [1]. - While it can present with different histological patterns, the presence of **IgA deposition** means it is not pauci-immune [1].

Q: Microscopic examination of the reperfused myocardium is likely to have which of the following findings?

Contraction band necrosis. ***Contraction band necrosis*** - This lesion is characteristic of **reperfusion injury**, resulting from the reintroduction of **calcium** into ischemic cells, causing hypercontraction of sarcomeres [1]. - The bands represent irreversibly contracted sarcomeres and are a hallmark of cell death in the setting of restored blood flow [1]. *Neutrophilic infiltration* - While present in myocardial infarction, **neutrophilic infiltration** primarily begins hours after injury and is part of the inflammatory response to necrotic tissue, not a specific marker of reperfusion itself [2]. - It's a general feature of **acute inflammation** and necrosis but doesn't specifically distinguish reperfused myocardium from non-reperfused ischemic injury in the acute phase [2]. *Waviness of fibres* - **Waviness of fibers** is an early microscopic change in **ischemic myocardium**; it's due to the stretching of dead or dying muscle fibers adjacent to healthy, contracting fibers [2]. - This finding is typically seen within the first few hours of ischemia, before significant reperfusion injury is evident. *Cardiac myocyte swelling* - **Cardiac myocyte swelling** (cellular edema) is an early and non-specific sign of **ischemic injury** due to the failure of ion pumps, leading to intracellular accumulation of water [2]. - While present in ischemia, it's not a unique characteristic of reperfusion injury; reperfusion leads to more specific changes like contraction band necrosis [1]. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Heart, pp. 554-556. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Heart, p. 552.

Q: Loss of foot processes seen on electron microscopy of renal biopsy is a classical feature in which of the following?

Minimal change disease. ***Minimal change disease*** - **Loss of foot processes** (podocyte effacement) is the hallmark ultrastructural finding in **minimal change disease** on electron microscopy [1]. - This effacement of podocyte foot processes leads to increased permeability of the **glomerular filtration barrier** to albumin, causing **nephrotic syndrome** [1], [2]. *IgA nephropathy* - Characterized by **IgA immune complex deposition** in the **mesangium** on immunofluorescence. - Electron microscopy typically shows **mesangial immune deposits**, not primarily foot process effacement. *Membranous nephropathy* - Identified by the presence of **subepithelial immune deposits** and **thickening of the glomerular basement membrane** (GBM) [3]. - On electron microscopy, these deposits are visible, often with overlying **spikes** of GBM material separating them. *Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis* - Defined by the rapid loss of renal function and the presence of **crescents** in more than 50% of glomeruli on light microscopy [2]. - While there may be secondary podocyte changes due to severe inflammation, **foot process effacement** is not its primary diagnostic feature. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Kidney, pp. 927-928. [2] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Diseases Of The Urinary And Male Genital Tracts, pp. 527-528. [3] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Diseases Of The Urinary And Male Genital Tracts, pp. 532-533.

Q: Large, irregular and friable vegetations are seen in?

Infective endocarditis. ***Infective endocarditis*** - **Large, irregular, and friable vegetations** are characteristic of infective endocarditis, formed by a mesh of **platelets, fibrin, microorganisms**, and inflammatory cells [1]. - These vegetations can lead to serious complications such as **embolization** and destruction of heart valves [2]. *Rheumatic heart disease* - Characterized by **small, warty vegetations** that are typically located on the lines of closure of the heart valves, not large and friable [1]. - These vegetations are sterile and result from inflammation and fibrin deposition, usually not involving active microbial infection. *Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE)* - Features **small, sterile vegetations** composed of fibrin and platelets, often found on previously undamaged valves [1]. - These vegetations are typically **firm** and non-inflammatory, distinct from the friable and infected vegetations of infective endocarditis. *Libman-sacks endocarditis* - Manifests as **sterile, verrucous vegetations** that can occur on either side of the valve leaflets (aortic or mitral) in patients with **systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)** [1]. - While they can be large, they are usually not described as friable in the same manner as infective endocarditis and are sterile. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Heart, p. 568. [2] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Cardiovascular Disease, pp. 295-296.

Q: Which of the following is a cause of Hirschsprung disease in a patient?

Failure of migration of neural crest cells. ***Failure of migration of neural crest cells*** - Hirschsprung disease is characterized by the absence of **ganglion cells** (Auerbach and Meissner plexuses) in the distal colon [1]. - This aganglionosis results from the failure of **neural crest cells** to migrate completely from the esophagus to the anus during embryonic development [1]. *Failure of involution of vitelline duct* - This condition is associated with **Meckel's diverticulum**, which is a remnant of the vitelline duct, not Hirschsprung disease. - **Meckel's diverticulum** can cause symptoms like GI bleeding or obstruction, but it does not involve aganglionosis of the colon. *Excessive peristalsis of the affected part of the gut* - Hirschsprung disease is characterized by a **lack of peristalsis** in the aganglionic segment, leading to functional obstruction [1]. - The healthy, proximal colon may show increased peristalsis in an attempt to overcome the obstruction, but the affected segment itself is aperistaltic. *Obstruction secondary to an infectious agent* - Obstruction due to an infectious agent is typically related to **inflammatory processes** or strictures caused by infections (e.g., severe colitis). - This mechanism of obstruction does not involve the **developmental anomaly** of missing ganglion cells, which is central to Hirschsprung disease. **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. (Basic Pathology) introduces the student to key general principles of pathology, both as a medical science and as a clinical activity with a vital role in patient care. Part 2 (Disease Mechanisms) provides fundamental knowledge about the cellular and molecular processes involved in diseases, providing the rationale for their treatment. Part 3 (Systematic Pathology) deals in detail with specific diseases, with emphasis on the clinically important aspects., pp. 94-95.

Question 1

A 45-year-old man who is a chronic smoker came to the clinic with a complaint of cough. The physician examines the patient and takes a biopsy. The biopsy image is provided below. Which of the following cellular changes has happened to this patient?

Accepted Answer

Dysplasia

Answer

Hyperplasia

Answer

Metaplasia

Answer

CIN3

Question 2

In RDS in a child, which cells are found defective?

Accepted Answer

Type 2 pneumocytes

Answer

Bronchial epithelium

Answer

Type 1 pneumocytes

Answer

Clara cells

Question 3

25-year-old man presents for a routine physical examination. The patient is tall and on examination, he was found to have an early diastolic murmur. His family pedigree is given below (image attached). Which of the following is the mode of inheritance by which the disease is likely to be transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Autosomal Dominant

Answer

Autosomal Recessive

Answer

X-Linked Recessive

Answer

X-Linked Dominant

Question 4

A 25-Year-old male presented with a 2cm thyroid nodule. A thyroidectomy was done. The histology picture is given below. What could be the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

Answer

Follicular thyroid adenoma

Answer

Graves' disease

Answer

Adenomatous goiter

Question 5

Loss of foot process is classical in case of?

Accepted Answer

Segmental glomerulosclerosis

Answer

Diabetic nephropathy (later stages)

Answer

Membranous nephropathy

Answer

IgA vasculitis

Question 6

Which of the following is associated with pauci-immune glomerulonephritis?

Accepted Answer

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)

Answer

Anti-GBM glomerulonephritis

Answer

SLE nephritis

Answer

IgA nephropathy

Question 7

Microscopic examination of the reperfused myocardium is likely to have which of the following findings?

Accepted Answer

Contraction band necrosis

Answer

Neutrophilic infiltration

Answer

Cardiac myocyte swelling

Answer

Waviness of fibers

Question 8

Loss of foot processes seen on electron microscopy of renal biopsy is a classical feature in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Minimal change disease

Answer

Membranous nephropathy

Answer

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

Answer

IgA nephropathy

Question 9

Large, irregular and friable vegetations are seen in?

Accepted Answer

Infective endocarditis

Answer

Rheumatic heart disease

Answer

Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE)

Answer

Libman-sacks endocarditis

Question 10

Which of the following is a cause of Hirschsprung disease in a patient?

Accepted Answer

Failure of migration of neural crest cells

Answer

Failure of involution of vitelline duct

Answer

Excessive peristalsis of the affected part of the gut

Answer

Obstruction secondary to an infectious agent

NEET-PG 2020 — Pathology