USMLE Forum Archives - USMLE Step 1 - lep1
lep1
babbu5508 - 04-30-11 23:49
A 5-year-old boy is seen by his primary care physician because of progressive weakness of his lower extremities, clumsy walking, and
decreased motor skills. He also has a 10-year-old brother with similar, but more severe symptoms. On physical examination, he shows an
awkward gait and has a positive Gowers maneuver (rises from a sitting position by walking his hands up his legs.) There is
pseudohypertrophy of his calves.
Question 1 of 6
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
/ A. Central core disease
/ B. Duchenne muscular dystrophy
/ C. Myasthenia gravis
/ D. Myotonic dystrophy
/ E. Spinal muscular atrophy
babbu5508 - 04-30-11 23:49
A 5-year-old boy is seen by his primary care physician because of progressive weakness of his lower extremities, clumsy walking, and
decreased motor skills. He also has a 10-year-old brother with similar, but more severe symptoms. On physical examination, he shows an
awkward gait and has a positive Gowers maneuver (rises from a sitting position by walking his hands up his legs.) There is
pseudohypertrophy of his calves.
Question 1 of 6
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
/ A. Central core disease
/ B. Duchenne muscular dystrophy
/ C. Myasthenia gravis
/ D. Myotonic dystrophy
/ E. Spinal muscular atrophy
The correct answer and explanation will be available after you answer.
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#4
Re: lep1
babbu5508 - 05-15-11 01:12 My answer is: b.
The correct answer is B. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive X-linked condition that occurs in boys. There is a progressive degeneration of muscles: most commonly the pelvic and shoulder girdles. These children are usually wheelchair-bound by 10 years of age and die by 20 years of age. The weak calf muscles become atrophic and are replaced by fibrofatty tissue, which results in pseudohypertrophy of the calves.
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