Liver imaging: cluster sign of pyogenic abscess: 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: cluster sign of pyogenic abscess

Sample item

A diabetic man has fever and right upper quadrant pain. CT shows several small, low-density hepatic lesions that are close together and appear to coalesce into a larger multiloculated cavity. What is this sign and the likely lesion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Cluster sign of a pyogenic liver abscess

Pyogenic abscesses start as small adjacent pockets that merge, so the lesion looks like a cluster of grapes before it becomes a single cavity. Biliary sepsis and portal pyaemia are common sources.

Option by option

  • A. Target sign of hydatid disease

    Hydatid disease shows a cyst with daughter cysts or detached membranes.

  • B. Central scar of focal nodular hyperplasia

    Focal nodular hyperplasia is solid with a central scar, not a febrile cavity.

  • C. Water lily sign of an amoebic abscess

    The water lily sign belongs to a ruptured hydatid cyst with floating membranes.

  • D. Cluster sign of a pyogenic liver abscess (correct)

    Correct. A cluster of coalescing small abscesses suggests pyogenic infection.

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, Cluster sign of a pyogenic liver abscess. Pyogenic abscesses start as small adjacent pockets that merge, so the lesion looks like a cluster of grapes before it becomes a single cavity.

Why is "Target sign of hydatid disease" not the answer?

Hydatid disease shows a cyst with daughter cysts or detached membranes.

Why is "Central scar of focal nodular hyperplasia" not the answer?

Focal nodular hyperplasia is solid with a central scar, not a febrile cavity.

Why is "Water lily sign of an amoebic abscess" not the answer?

The water lily sign belongs to a ruptured hydatid cyst with floating membranes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Liver imaging: cluster sign of pyogenic abscess in Radiology. Biliary sepsis and portal pyaemia are common sources.

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 Liver imaging: cluster sign of pyogenic abscess?

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.