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PCNSL – HD-MTX Not Resection — SCE Neurology MCQ

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HardNeuro-oncologyPCNSL – HD-MTX Not ResectionSCE Neurology

A patient has vertical diplopia, light-near dissociation and impaired upgaze with convergence-retraction nystagmus. MRI shows a pineal-region mass compressing the dorsal midbrain. What is the neurological syndrome?

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Correct answer: COne-and-a-half syndrome from a pontine gaze-centre lesion

The best answer is “One-and-a-half syndrome from a pontine gaze-centre lesion”. A dorsal midbrain lesion produces vertical-gaze palsy, convergence-retraction nystagmus and light-near dissociation; pineal masses are a classic structural cause and may also obstruct the aqueduct. “Internuclear ophthalmoplegia from a medial longitudinal fasciculus lesion” is less appropriate because internuclear ophthalmoplegia impairs adduction with abducting nystagmus during horizontal gaze “Parinaud syndrome from a dorsal midbrain lesion” is less appropriate because cavernous disease combines ocular motor palsies with trigeminal sensory loss “Cavernous-sinus syndrome involving ocular motor nerves” is less appropriate because one-and-a-half syndrome is a pontine horizontal-gaze disorder “Ocular myasthenia causing fatigable ophthalmoplegia” is less appropriate because myasthenia causes fatigable weakness without pupillary or convergence-retraction signs

Reference: NICE NG99: Brain tumours and brain metastases in adults. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng99/chapter/Recommendations