Scrotal imaging: testicular torsion: 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 · Scrotal imaging: testicular torsion

Sample item

A 14-year-old boy has sudden severe left testicular pain and vomiting. Colour Doppler ultrasound shows an enlarged heterogeneous left testis with absent intratesticular flow and a normal right testis. What is the best next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Urgent surgical exploration without delay

Absent testicular flow in an acutely painful testis means torsion until proved otherwise, and testicular salvage falls sharply after about 6 hours. Imaging should never delay exploration when clinical suspicion is high.

Option by option

  • A. Urgent surgical exploration without delay (correct)

    Correct. Absent flow means torsion, and urgent exploration saves the testis.

  • B. Elective MRI next week

    Delaying for elective MRI loses the testis.

  • C. Antibiotics and review in a week

    Antibiotics are for epididymitis and would delay surgery.

  • D. Analgesia and observation

    Observation risks infarction.

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, Urgent surgical exploration without delay. Absent testicular flow in an acutely painful testis means torsion until proved otherwise, and testicular salvage falls sharply after about 6 hours.

Why is "Elective MRI next week" not the answer?

Delaying for elective MRI loses the testis.

Why is "Antibiotics and review in a week" not the answer?

Antibiotics are for epididymitis and would delay surgery.

Why is "Analgesia and observation" not the answer?

Observation risks infarction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Scrotal imaging: testicular torsion in Radiology. Imaging should never delay exploration when clinical suspicion is high.

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 Scrotal imaging: testicular torsion?

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.