Nuclear medicine: yttrium-90 radioembolisation: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Nuclear medicine: yttrium-90 radioembolisation

Sample item

Which description best fits yttrium-90 radioembolisation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Beta-emitting microspheres delivered through the hepatic artery to treat unresectable liver tumours

Yttrium-90 microspheres are infused selectively into hepatic arterial branches and lodge in tumour microvasculature, delivering local beta radiation over a short range. It is used for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases.

Option by option

  • A. Beta-emitting microspheres delivered through the hepatic artery to treat unresectable liver tumours (correct)

    Correct. This is selective internal radiation therapy of the liver.

  • B. An oral radioiodine capsule for thyroid ablation

    Oral radioiodine describes thyroid treatment.

  • C. Seeds implanted in the prostate gland

    Prostate seed implants use iodine-125 or palladium-103.

  • D. Intravenous gamma-emitting tracer for bone imaging

    A gamma bone tracer such as technetium-99m MDP is diagnostic, not therapeutic.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Beta-emitting microspheres delivered through the hepatic artery to treat unresectable liver tumours. Yttrium-90 microspheres are infused selectively into hepatic arterial branches and lodge in tumour microvasculature, delivering local beta radiation over a short range.

Why is "An oral radioiodine capsule for thyroid ablation" not the answer?

Oral radioiodine describes thyroid treatment.

Why is "Seeds implanted in the prostate gland" not the answer?

Prostate seed implants use iodine-125 or palladium-103.

Why is "Intravenous gamma-emitting tracer for bone imaging" not the answer?

A gamma bone tracer such as technetium-99m MDP is diagnostic, not therapeutic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nuclear medicine: yttrium-90 radioembolisation in Radiology. It is used for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases.

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 Nuclear medicine: yttrium-90 radioembolisation?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.