Obstetric imaging: vasa praevia: 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 · Obstetric imaging: vasa praevia

Sample item

A woman at 20 weeks with an in vitro fertilisation pregnancy and a velamentous cord insertion has a colour Doppler transvaginal scan showing fetal vessels running over the internal os. What is the diagnosis and risk?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Vasa praevia, with a risk of fetal exsanguination when membranes rupture

Unprotected fetal vessels crossing the internal os rupture with the membranes and cause rapid fetal blood loss. Elective caesarean section before labour is advised.

Option by option

  • A. Placenta praevia, with maternal haemorrhage only

    Placenta praevia involves placental tissue over the os.

  • B. Vasa praevia, with a risk of fetal exsanguination when membranes rupture (correct)

    Correct. Fetal vessels over the os define vasa praevia.

  • C. Cervical varices

    Cervical varices are maternal vessels.

  • D. Normal cord insertion

    A normal insertion does not place vessels over the os.

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 B, Vasa praevia, with a risk of fetal exsanguination when membranes rupture. Unprotected fetal vessels crossing the internal os rupture with the membranes and cause rapid fetal blood loss.

Why is "Placenta praevia, with maternal haemorrhage only" not the answer?

Placenta praevia involves placental tissue over the os.

Why is "Cervical varices" not the answer?

Cervical varices are maternal vessels.

Why is "Normal cord insertion" not the answer?

A normal insertion does not place vessels over the os.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric imaging: vasa praevia in Radiology. Elective caesarean section before labour is advised.

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 Obstetric imaging: vasa praevia?

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.