Liver imaging: portal vein thrombosis: 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 · Liver imaging: portal vein thrombosis

Sample item

A man with cirrhosis has portal hypertension. Doppler ultrasound shows no flow in the main portal vein and a tangle of tortuous collateral vessels in the porta hepatis. What is this finding called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cavernous transformation of the portal vein

Chronic portal vein occlusion leads to a network of tortuous periportal collateral veins that bypass the thrombosed segment, forming a cavernoma. It is seen in cirrhosis, tumours and in children after umbilical vein catheterisation.

Option by option

  • A. Cavernous transformation of the portal vein (correct)

    Correct. Absent portal flow with periportal collaterals is cavernous transformation.

  • B. Budd-Chiari syndrome

    Budd-Chiari involves hepatic vein occlusion with caudate hypertrophy.

  • C. Normal hepatopetal flow

    Normal flow is toward the liver and is present.

  • D. Hepatic artery aneurysm

    An aneurysm shows a rounded arterial pulsation.

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, Cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Chronic portal vein occlusion leads to a network of tortuous periportal collateral veins that bypass the thrombosed segment, forming a cavernoma.

Why is "Budd-Chiari syndrome" not the answer?

Budd-Chiari involves hepatic vein occlusion with caudate hypertrophy.

Why is "Normal hepatopetal flow" not the answer?

Normal flow is toward the liver and is present.

Why is "Hepatic artery aneurysm" not the answer?

An aneurysm shows a rounded arterial pulsation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Liver imaging: portal vein thrombosis in Radiology. It is seen in cirrhosis, tumours and in children after umbilical vein catheterisation.

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 Liver imaging: portal vein thrombosis?

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.