Understanding Wrist Drop Causes
Wrist drop refers to the inability to lift the hand due to weakness or paralysis in the muscles that extend the wrist and fingers. This condition primarily results from damage or dysfunction affecting the radial nerve, which controls these specific movements.
Analyzing Potential Causes of Wrist Drop
The question asks which condition can cause wrist drop. Let's evaluate the options:
- Lead poisoning: Chronic exposure to lead is known to cause peripheral neuropathy. It can specifically damage the radial nerve, leading to the characteristic symptoms of wrist drop.
- Diabetes mellitus: While diabetes can cause nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), wrist drop is not a common or typical symptom. Foot drop and sensory disturbances are more frequently associated with diabetic neuropathy.
- Alcoholics: Long-term excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic neuropathy. Although peripheral nerves can be affected, isolated wrist drop is less commonly cited as a primary symptom compared to other neurological issues.
- Beriberi: This condition arises from a deficiency in thiamine (Vitamin B1). While it causes neurological problems, including peripheral neuropathy, wrist drop is not considered a hallmark symptom.
Identifying the Correct Cause
Considering the direct effects on the radial nerve, lead poisoning is the most likely condition among the choices to produce wrist drop.
Important Questions from Brain & Nervous System Surgery
Which of the following chromosomal abnormalities are associated with brain tumours?
1. Neurofibromatosis type 1
2. Neurofibromatosis type 2
3. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
4. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Consider the following clinical features:
1. Raised ICP
2. Seizures
3. Focal deficit
4. Headache
Which of the above clinical features are related to most brain tumours?
- The most common type of brain tumours associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 brain tumour syndrome is
Upper motor neuron lesions are characterized by which of the following?
1. Increased tone spasticity
2. Hyperreflexia
3. Absent plantar response
4. Motor weakness
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A comatose patient after sustaining severe head injury has been admitted in neurosurgical ICU. Which of the following parameters should ideally be maintained in this patient ?
1. $pCO_2 = 4.5 – 5.0$ kPa ($33-38$ mm Hg)
2. MAP = $80 – 90$ mm of Hg
3. $pO_2 > 11$ kPa ($> 80$ mm Hg)
4. $Na^+ < 130$ meq/L
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
