Pancreatic imaging: vascular encasement: 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 · Pancreatic imaging: vascular encasement

Sample item

A CT pancreatic protocol in a man with a head mass shows tumour in contact with more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the superior mesenteric artery. What does this imply?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Locally advanced, unresectable disease

Tumour contact with the superior mesenteric artery beyond half its circumference indicates arterial involvement and unresectability at presentation, whereas limited contact is borderline. Venous contact can be resected with reconstruction.

Option by option

  • A. Benign lesion

    Vascular encasement is a feature of malignancy.

  • B. Resectable disease

    Resectable tumours have no arterial contact.

  • C. Chronic pancreatitis

    Chronic pancreatitis does not encase arteries.

  • D. Locally advanced, unresectable disease (correct)

    Correct. Arterial encasement over 180 degrees means locally advanced disease.

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, Locally advanced, unresectable disease. Tumour contact with the superior mesenteric artery beyond half its circumference indicates arterial involvement and unresectability at presentation, whereas limited contact is borderline.

Why is "Benign lesion" not the answer?

Vascular encasement is a feature of malignancy.

Why is "Resectable disease" not the answer?

Resectable tumours have no arterial contact.

Why is "Chronic pancreatitis" not the answer?

Chronic pancreatitis does not encase arteries.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pancreatic imaging: vascular encasement in Radiology. Venous contact can be resected with reconstruction.

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 Pancreatic imaging: vascular encasement?

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.