GI imaging: CT in acute diverticulitis: 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 · GI imaging: CT in acute diverticulitis

Sample item

A 60-year-old man has left iliac fossa pain, fever and raised inflammatory markers. Which CT finding best supports acute diverticulitis?

AA target-like mass in the right iliac fossaBDilated small bowel with a transition pointCPericolic fat stranding with colonic diverticula and wall thickeningDPneumatosis of the caecum

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pericolic fat stranding with colonic diverticula and wall thickening

Diverticulitis shows inflamed diverticula, segmental wall thickening and fat stranding, and may reveal abscess or free gas. CT with intravenous contrast also stages complications. It is the preferred imaging test in an adult.

Option by option

A. A target-like mass in the right iliac fossa
A right-sided target mass suggests intussusception or an appendix mass.
B. Dilated small bowel with a transition point
A transition point indicates mechanical small bowel obstruction.
C. Pericolic fat stranding with colonic diverticula and wall thickening (correct)
Correct. Stranding around diverticula is the key sign.
D. Pneumatosis of the caecum
Pneumatosis indicates ischaemia.

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, Pericolic fat stranding with colonic diverticula and wall thickening. Diverticulitis shows inflamed diverticula, segmental wall thickening and fat stranding, and may reveal abscess or free gas.

Why is "A target-like mass in the right iliac fossa" not the answer?

A right-sided target mass suggests intussusception or an appendix mass.

Why is "Dilated small bowel with a transition point" not the answer?

A transition point indicates mechanical small bowel obstruction.

Why is "Pneumatosis of the caecum" not the answer?

Pneumatosis indicates ischaemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests GI imaging: CT in acute diverticulitis in Radiology. CT with intravenous contrast also stages complications. It is the preferred imaging test in an adult.

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 GI imaging: CT in acute diverticulitis?

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.