Neuroimaging: pineal germinoma: 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 · Neuroimaging: pineal germinoma

Sample item

A 12-year-old boy has headache, upward gaze palsy and hydrocephalus. MRI shows a homogeneously enhancing pineal region mass engulfing calcification and a second small suprasellar lesion. What is the likely tumour?

APineocytomaBMeningiomaCGerminomaDColloid cyst

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Germinoma

Germinomas are the commonest pineal region tumour in children and have a male predominance, enhance avidly, and may show a second suprasellar focus. They are highly radiosensitive, and Parinaud syndrome results from tectal compression.

Option by option

A. Pineocytoma
A pineocytoma is a slow-growing lesion of adults with peripheral calcification.
B. Meningioma
A meningioma is dural based and rare in children.
C. Germinoma (correct)
Correct. A homogeneously enhancing pineal mass with a suprasellar focus is a germinoma.
D. Colloid cyst
A colloid cyst lies in the third ventricle roof.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, Germinoma. Germinomas are the commonest pineal region tumour in children and have a male predominance, enhance avidly, and may show a second suprasellar focus.

Why is "Pineocytoma" not the answer?

A pineocytoma is a slow-growing lesion of adults with peripheral calcification.

Why is "Meningioma" not the answer?

A meningioma is dural based and rare in children.

Why is "Colloid cyst" not the answer?

A colloid cyst lies in the third ventricle roof.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: pineal germinoma in Radiology. They are highly radiosensitive, and Parinaud syndrome results from tectal compression.

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 Neuroimaging: pineal germinoma?

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.