Breast imaging: tomosynthesis: 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 · Breast imaging: tomosynthesis

Sample item

What is the main advantage of digital breast tomosynthesis over standard two-view mammography?

AIt eliminates ionising radiationBIt uses ultrasound to image the dense breastCIt reduces the masking effect of overlapping tissue, improving detection and lowering recallsDIt removes the need for any breast compression

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It reduces the masking effect of overlapping tissue, improving detection and lowering recalls

Tomosynthesis acquires low-dose projections over an arc and reconstructs thin slices, so overlapping fibroglandular tissue is separated. This improves cancer detection and reduces false-positive recalls, mainly in dense breasts.

Option by option

A. It eliminates ionising radiation
Tomosynthesis still uses ionising X-rays.
B. It uses ultrasound to image the dense breast
Tomosynthesis is an X-ray technique and not an ultrasound technique.
C. It reduces the masking effect of overlapping tissue, improving detection and lowering recalls (correct)
Correct. Thin reconstructed slices separate overlapping tissue.
D. It removes the need for any breast compression
Compression is still applied during tomosynthesis.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, It reduces the masking effect of overlapping tissue, improving detection and lowering recalls. Tomosynthesis acquires low-dose projections over an arc and reconstructs thin slices, so overlapping fibroglandular tissue is separated.

Why is "It eliminates ionising radiation" not the answer?

Tomosynthesis still uses ionising X-rays.

Why is "It uses ultrasound to image the dense breast" not the answer?

Tomosynthesis is an X-ray technique and not an ultrasound technique.

Why is "It removes the need for any breast compression" not the answer?

Compression is still applied during tomosynthesis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Breast imaging: tomosynthesis in Radiology. This improves cancer detection and reduces false-positive recalls, mainly in dense breasts.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Breast imaging: tomosynthesis?

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.