Neurology: myasthenia gravis: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Neurology: myasthenia gravis

Sample item

A 30-year-old woman has ptosis and diplopia that worsen in the evening and improve with rest. Which investigation should be done after confirming antibodies?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. CT chest to look for thymoma, with pyridostigmine for symptoms

Myasthenia gravis is caused by antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor, causing fatigable weakness. Imaging of the chest identifies thymoma or thymic hyperplasia and thymectomy benefits selected patients. Pyridostigmine is the symptomatic treatment and immunosuppression follows.

Option by option

  • A. CT chest to look for thymoma, with pyridostigmine for symptoms (correct)

    Correct. Thymic imaging and cholinesterase inhibitor are appropriate.

  • B. Lumbar puncture

    Lumbar puncture is not diagnostic.

  • C. MRI spine

    Spine MRI is not needed for this pattern.

  • D. Nerve biopsy

    Nerve biopsy is not indicated.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, CT chest to look for thymoma, with pyridostigmine for symptoms. Myasthenia gravis is caused by antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor, causing fatigable weakness.

Why is "Lumbar puncture" not the answer?

Lumbar puncture is not diagnostic.

Why is "MRI spine" not the answer?

Spine MRI is not needed for this pattern.

Why is "Nerve biopsy" not the answer?

Nerve biopsy is not indicated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: myasthenia gravis in General Medicine. Imaging of the chest identifies thymoma or thymic hyperplasia and thymectomy benefits selected patients. Pyridostigmine is the symptomatic treatment and immunosuppression follows.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neurology: myasthenia gravis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.