Spinal Surgery Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge in Neurosurgery

Question 1

Which of the following is the most common cause of spinal stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Degenerative changes in the spine

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Spondylolisthesis

Answer

Infection

Question 2

What is the most frequent type of herniated disc?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar disc herniation

Answer

Cervical disc herniation

Answer

Thoracic disc herniation

Answer

Sacral disc herniation

Question 3

Which imaging modality is considered the gold standard for diagnosing spinal cord pathology?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

X-ray

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Myelography

Question 4

Which surgical approach allows access to the front of the spine?

Accepted Answer

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)

Answer

Posterior lumbar fusion (PLF)

Answer

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)

Answer

Laminectomy

Question 5

How do the clinical presentations of herniated discs in the cervical spine differ from those in the lumbar spine?

Accepted Answer

Cervical herniated discs cause upper limb symptoms, while lumbar herniated discs cause lower limb symptoms.

Answer

Cervical herniated discs cause radicular pain, while lumbar herniated discs cause back pain.

Answer

Cervical herniated discs are less likely to cause neurological deficits than lumbar herniated discs.

Answer

The clinical presentations of cervical and lumbar herniated discs are identical.

Question 6

What is the primary objective of a laminectomy?

Accepted Answer

Removal of the lamina (roof) of the vertebral canal

Answer

Removal of the spinal cord

Answer

Repair of a herniated disc

Answer

Stabilization of the spine

Question 7

Which imaging technique is recommended for evaluating spinal stenosis?

Accepted Answer

MRI scan

Answer

X-ray

Answer

CT scan

Answer

Bone scan

Question 8

What is a common cause of spinal stenosis in the elderly?

Accepted Answer

Aging

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Genetic factors

Answer

Muscle weakness

Question 9

What is the primary surgical intervention for a herniated lumbar disc?

Accepted Answer

Discectomy

Answer

Laminectomy

Answer

Spinal fusion

Answer

Vertebroplasty

Question 10

Which imaging modality provides detailed cross-sectional visualization of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

MRI

Answer

X-ray

Answer

CT scan

Answer

Ultrasound

Question 11

What is the primary aim of surgical decompression for spinal stenosis?

Accepted Answer

To alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots

Answer

To remove herniated disc material

Answer

To stabilize the spine

Answer

To enhance spinal mobility

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for developing vertebral compression fractures?

Accepted Answer

Regular exercise

Answer

Osteoporosis

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Obesity

Question 13

What surgical technique involves the removal of the posterior elements of the vertebra, including the lamina and spinous process?

Accepted Answer

Laminectomy

Answer

Discectomy

Answer

Spinal fusion

Answer

Vertebroplasty

Question 14

Which type of spinal stenosis is characterized by narrowing of the central canal of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Central stenosis

Answer

Mixed stenosis

Answer

Foraminal stenosis

Answer

Lateral recess stenosis

Question 15

What is the surgical procedure that involves removal of a herniated disc material from the spinal canal?

Accepted Answer

Discectomy

Answer

Corpectomy

Answer

Spinal fusion

Answer

Laminectomy

Question 16

Which imaging technique provides detailed cross-sectional images of the spinal cord and surrounding structures, allowing for accurate diagnosis of spinal conditions?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

X-ray

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Electromyography (EMG)

Question 17

What is the primary goal of spinal fusion surgery in the context of spinal deformities?

Accepted Answer

To stabilize and correct the spinal alignment

Answer

To alleviate pain

Answer

To prevent further neurological deterioration

Answer

To restore nerve function

Question 18

Which of the following is a minimally invasive surgical technique used for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation?

Accepted Answer

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD)

Answer

Laminectomy

Answer

Corpectomy

Question 19

What is the surgical approach that involves removal of the posterior elements of a vertebra to access the spinal canal?

Accepted Answer

Laminectomy

Answer

Discectomy

Answer

Spinal fusion

Answer

Corpectomy

Question 20

Which of the following is a contraindication to spinal surgery?

Accepted Answer

Active spinal infection

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Osteoporosis

Question 21

What is the surgical procedure that involves removing a damaged vertebral body and replacing it with a bone graft or artificial implant?

Accepted Answer

Corpectomy

Answer

Discectomy

Answer

Fusion

Question 22

A 65-year-old patient presents with lower back pain that radiates down their right leg. The pain worsens with walking and improves with sitting. They also have weakness in their right foot dorsiflexion. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar spinal stenosis

Answer

Herniated disc at L4-L5

Answer

Spinal cord injury

Answer

Spinal tumor

Question 23

A 25-year-old patient presents with sudden, severe back pain that began after lifting a heavy object. The pain radiates down their left leg and is accompanied by numbness and tingling in their left foot. Which imaging modality is most likely to confirm the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Electromyography (EMG)

Answer

Plain radiography

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Question 24

A patient with a herniated disc at L5-S1 is being considered for surgery. Which of the following is a contraindication to surgical intervention?

Accepted Answer

Significant improvement with conservative management

Answer

Failed conservative treatment

Answer

Progressive neurological deficit

Answer

Cauda equina syndrome

Question 25

Which surgical approach is commonly used for a lumbar discectomy?

Accepted Answer

Posterior approach

Answer

Transforaminal approach

Answer

Anterior approach

Answer

Lateral approach

Question 26

A patient undergoing spinal surgery for spinal stenosis might require which procedure?

Accepted Answer

Laminectomy

Answer

Fusion

Answer

Vertebroplasty

Answer

Discectomy

Question 27

A patient with a spinal cord injury at the level of C5 will likely experience which impairment?

Accepted Answer

Quadriplegia

Answer

Loss of bowel and bladder control

Answer

Paraplegia

Answer

Loss of sensation below the waist

Question 28

What is a key principle in the management of spinal cord injuries?

Accepted Answer

Early immobilization and stabilization

Answer

Immediate surgical intervention

Answer

High-dose corticosteroids

Answer

Aggressive physiotherapy

Question 29

A patient with a spinal tumor is being considered for surgery. Which factor would significantly influence the surgical approach?

Accepted Answer

Location and size of the tumor

Answer

Presence of pain

Answer

Age of the patient

Answer

Patient's occupation