Trauma and burns: diffuse axonal injury: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Trauma and burns: diffuse axonal injury

Sample item

After a high-speed deceleration injury, a patient remains deeply unconscious but the initial CT head is normal. MRI is likely to show:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Punctate haemorrhages in the corpus callosum and grey-white junction

Diffuse axonal injury results from rotational shearing forces and is a major cause of prolonged unconsciousness. CT is often normal, and MRI (SWI, gradient echo) shows small haemorrhagic lesions in the corpus callosum, brainstem and grey-white junction.

Option by option

  • A. A crescent-shaped subdural haematoma

    Subdural haematoma would be visible on CT.

  • B. Punctate haemorrhages in the corpus callosum and grey-white junction (correct)

    Correct. This describes DAI on MRI.

  • C. A biconvex extradural haematoma

    Extradural haematoma would be visible on CT.

  • D. A depressed skull fracture

    A fracture would be seen on CT.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Punctate haemorrhages in the corpus callosum and grey-white junction. Diffuse axonal injury results from rotational shearing forces and is a major cause of prolonged unconsciousness.

Why is "A crescent-shaped subdural haematoma" not the answer?

Subdural haematoma would be visible on CT.

Why is "A biconvex extradural haematoma" not the answer?

Extradural haematoma would be visible on CT.

Why is "A depressed skull fracture" not the answer?

A fracture would be seen on CT.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma and burns: diffuse axonal injury in General Surgery. CT is often normal, and MRI (SWI, gradient echo) shows small haemorrhagic lesions in the corpus callosum, brainstem and grey-white junction.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Trauma and burns: diffuse axonal injury?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.