Vascular imaging: splenic artery aneurysm: 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 · Vascular imaging: splenic artery aneurysm

Sample item

A plain abdominal film in a 35-year-old woman shows a ring-like curvilinear calcification in the left upper quadrant. She wishes to become pregnant. Why is this finding important?

AIt is a normal vascular calcification of ageingBIt indicates a benign adrenal calcification needing no actionCIt suggests a splenic artery aneurysm, which can rupture in pregnancyDIt indicates a calcified hydatid cyst of the spleen

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It suggests a splenic artery aneurysm, which can rupture in pregnancy

A ring-like calcified structure near the splenic hilum is typical of a splenic artery aneurysm, the commonest visceral aneurysm. Rupture in pregnancy is catastrophic for mother and fetus, so repair is advised before conception or when large. CT angiography confirms the diagnosis.

Option by option

A. It is a normal vascular calcification of ageing
A young woman does not have vascular ageing calcification.
B. It indicates a benign adrenal calcification needing no action
Adrenal calcification lies near the kidney and is not ring-shaped near the splenic hilum.
C. It suggests a splenic artery aneurysm, which can rupture in pregnancy (correct)
Correct. Rupture risk rises in pregnancy.
D. It indicates a calcified hydatid cyst of the spleen
Hydatid calcification would be unlikely to have these features and carries different risks.

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, It suggests a splenic artery aneurysm, which can rupture in pregnancy. A ring-like calcified structure near the splenic hilum is typical of a splenic artery aneurysm, the commonest visceral aneurysm.

Why is "It is a normal vascular calcification of ageing" not the answer?

A young woman does not have vascular ageing calcification.

Why is "It indicates a benign adrenal calcification needing no action" not the answer?

Adrenal calcification lies near the kidney and is not ring-shaped near the splenic hilum.

Why is "It indicates a calcified hydatid cyst of the spleen" not the answer?

Hydatid calcification would be unlikely to have these features and carries different risks.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vascular imaging: splenic artery aneurysm in Radiology. Rupture in pregnancy is catastrophic for mother and fetus, so repair is advised before conception or when large. CT angiography confirms the diagnosis.

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 Vascular imaging: splenic artery aneurysm?

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.