Abdominal imaging: pseudomyxoma peritonei: 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 · Abdominal imaging: pseudomyxoma peritonei

Sample item

A patient has progressive abdominal distension. CT shows low-attenuation gelatinous ascites that scallops the liver surface and displaces bowel loops, and a calcified appendiceal mass. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pseudomyxoma peritonei from a mucinous appendiceal neoplasm

Mucin-producing tumours, usually of the appendix, seed the peritoneum with gelatinous material that does not flow freely and indents the liver and spleen surface, a scalloping effect. Transudative ascites does not scallop organs.

Option by option

  • A. Tuberculous peritonitis

    Tuberculous peritonitis shows thickened peritoneum, nodes and higher density ascites.

  • B. Simple haemoperitoneum

    Haemoperitoneum is high attenuation.

  • C. Cirrhotic ascites

    Cirrhotic ascites is free-flowing fluid that does not indent the liver.

  • D. Pseudomyxoma peritonei from a mucinous appendiceal neoplasm (correct)

    Correct. Gelatinous ascites with scalloping suggests pseudomyxoma.

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 D, Pseudomyxoma peritonei from a mucinous appendiceal neoplasm. Mucin-producing tumours, usually of the appendix, seed the peritoneum with gelatinous material that does not flow freely and indents the liver and spleen surface, a scalloping effect.

Why is "Tuberculous peritonitis" not the answer?

Tuberculous peritonitis shows thickened peritoneum, nodes and higher density ascites.

Why is "Simple haemoperitoneum" not the answer?

Haemoperitoneum is high attenuation.

Why is "Cirrhotic ascites" not the answer?

Cirrhotic ascites is free-flowing fluid that does not indent the liver.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal imaging: pseudomyxoma peritonei in Radiology. Transudative ascites does not scallop organs.

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 Abdominal imaging: pseudomyxoma peritonei?

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.