Neuroimaging: cerebral cavernous malformation: 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: cerebral cavernous malformation

Sample item

A young adult with seizures has an MRI showing a well-defined lesion with a popcorn appearance of mixed T2 signal and a complete dark haemosiderin rim, and no significant surrounding oedema. Angiography is normal. What is the lesion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cavernous malformation

Cavernous malformations are angiographically occult vascular lesions made of blood-filled sinusoids with repeated micro-haemorrhage, so they show a mixed-signal core and a haemosiderin ring that blooms on gradient echo images. Multiple lesions suggest a familial form.

Option by option

  • A. Abscess

    An abscess shows restricted diffusion centrally and an enhancing capsule.

  • B. Cavernous malformation (correct)

    Correct. A popcorn lesion with a haemosiderin rim and normal angiogram is a cavernoma.

  • C. Arteriovenous malformation

    An AVM shows flow voids and a visible nidus on angiography.

  • D. Glioblastoma

    Glioblastoma shows ring enhancement with marked oedema.

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, Cavernous malformation. Cavernous malformations are angiographically occult vascular lesions made of blood-filled sinusoids with repeated micro-haemorrhage, so they show a mixed-signal core and a haemosiderin ring that blooms on gradient echo images.

Why is "Abscess" not the answer?

An abscess shows restricted diffusion centrally and an enhancing capsule.

Why is "Arteriovenous malformation" not the answer?

An AVM shows flow voids and a visible nidus on angiography.

Why is "Glioblastoma" not the answer?

Glioblastoma shows ring enhancement with marked oedema.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: cerebral cavernous malformation in Radiology. Multiple lesions suggest a familial form.

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: cerebral cavernous malformation?

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.