Question

The MRI of a 69-year-old woman reveals a tumor in the posterior fossa resulting in significant compression of the medulla. Which of the following deficits could appear suddenly in this patient and would signal potential medullary failure?

a. Agnosia
b. Paralysis of the lower extremities
c. Complete loss of pain and thermal sense from the body
d. Central apnea
e. Blindness

Answer 1

The answer is D central apnea

Step-by-step explanation:

The posterior fossa tumors are those that are close to the brainstem and cerebellum, in this site we will find the respiratory centers, causing one of its symptoms to be the central apnea due to depression of the respiratory center.