Obstetric imaging: placenta accreta: 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: placenta accreta

Sample item

A woman at 32 weeks with two previous caesarean sections has an anterior placenta praevia. Ultrasound shows loss of the retroplacental clear zone and multiple placental lacunae with a thin myometrium. Which diagnosis must be suspected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Placenta accreta spectrum

Previous caesarean scars with praevia are the main risk factors for abnormal placental invasion. Loss of the clear zone, lacunae and thinning of the myometrium support accreta, and MRI may help when ultrasound is equivocal. Delivery should be planned at a centre with expertise.

Option by option

  • A. Circumvallate placenta

    Circumvallate placenta shows a rolled edge and is not defined by lacunae.

  • B. Placenta accreta spectrum (correct)

    Correct. Praevia over a scar with these signs indicates accreta.

  • C. Vasa praevia

    Vasa praevia involves fetal vessels crossing the cervix.

  • D. Placental abruption

    Abruption is a clinical diagnosis with painful bleeding and retroplacental clot.

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, Placenta accreta spectrum. Previous caesarean scars with praevia are the main risk factors for abnormal placental invasion.

Why is "Circumvallate placenta" not the answer?

Circumvallate placenta shows a rolled edge and is not defined by lacunae.

Why is "Vasa praevia" not the answer?

Vasa praevia involves fetal vessels crossing the cervix.

Why is "Placental abruption" not the answer?

Abruption is a clinical diagnosis with painful bleeding and retroplacental clot.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric imaging: placenta accreta in Radiology. Loss of the clear zone, lacunae and thinning of the myometrium support accreta, and MRI may help when ultrasound is equivocal. Delivery should be planned at a centre with expertise.

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: placenta accreta?

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.