Microcephaly & Hydrocephalus MCQ Quiz | Central Nervous System

Welcome, future medical professionals! This quiz is designed to test your understanding of two critical neurological conditions: Microcephaly and Hydrocephalus. You will face 25 multiple-choice questions covering etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management principles relevant to the MBBS curriculum. Each question challenges your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to clinical scenarios. This is a great opportunity to consolidate your learning and identify areas for further review. After submitting your answers, you will see your score, and both correct and incorrect answers will be highlighted for immediate feedback. For your convenience, you can also download a PDF version of all questions with the correct answers for offline study and revision. Good luck!

1. A newborn is diagnosed with microcephaly, defined as a head circumference more than two standard deviations below the mean. Which of the following is a well-established infectious cause of congenital microcephaly, particularly known for causing widespread outbreaks?

2. What is the most common cause of congenital obstructive hydrocephalus?

3. The “setting-sun” sign in an infant with hydrocephalus is caused by:

4. Which of the following is NOT a component of the classic Hakim’s triad for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?

5. Primary microcephaly is most often associated with:

6. A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a common treatment for hydrocephalus. Which of the following is the most common complication of this procedure?

7. Communicating hydrocephalus is characterized by:

8. Which TORCH infection is most classically associated with hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis, and intracranial calcifications?

9. Macewen’s sign, or the “cracked pot” sound upon percussion of an infant’s skull, is indicative of:

10. Secondary microcephaly (microcephalia vera) implies that:

11. A lumbar puncture is performed on a patient suspected of having hydrocephalus. In which type of hydrocephalus would this procedure be potentially dangerous and contraindicated?

12. An MRI of a patient with hydrocephalus shows enlargement of the lateral and third ventricles, but the fourth ventricle is of normal size. This finding points to an obstruction at the level of the:

13. Phenylketonuria (PKU), if untreated in the mother, can lead to a syndrome in the infant that includes microcephaly, intellectual disability, and congenital heart defects. This is an example of:

14. Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) is a surgical alternative to shunting for which type of hydrocephalus?

15. “Hydrocephalus ex vacuo” refers to ventricular enlargement that occurs due to:

16. The Dandy-Walker malformation is characterized by a triad of findings. Which of the following is NOT part of this triad?

17. In the context of microcephaly, what does a “sloping forehead” typically suggest?

18. A major risk factor for developing communicating hydrocephalus in an adult is a prior history of:

19. Which imaging modality is preferred for the initial evaluation of suspected hydrocephalus in a neonate with an open anterior fontanelle?

20. Arnold-Chiari Type II malformation, a common cause of hydrocephalus, is almost invariably associated with which other condition?

21. A patient with a VP shunt presents with headache, nausea, and lethargy. A “shunt series” X-ray is ordered to check for:

22. Microcephaly associated with craniosynostosis (premature fusion of cranial sutures) differs from primary microcephaly in that:

23. In hydrocephalus, CSF is primarily produced by the:

24. What is the pathognomonic feature of gait disturbance in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?

25. A definitive diagnosis and prognostic indicator for treatment response in NPH can be obtained through: