MSK imaging: lipoma versus liposarcoma: 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 · MSK imaging: lipoma versus liposarcoma

Sample item

A 60-year-old has a 14 cm deep thigh mass. MRI shows predominantly fat signal with thick, irregular septa and nodular non-fatty enhancing areas. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Well-differentiated liposarcoma

A deep large fatty mass with thick septa and enhancing nodules suggests atypical lipomatous tumour or liposarcoma, which requires biopsy and specialist management. A simple lipoma is uniformly fat signal with thin septa. Haematomas do not contain fat signal.

Option by option

  • A. Simple lipoma

    A simple lipoma is homogeneous with thin septa.

  • B. Well-differentiated liposarcoma (correct)

    Correct. Thick septa and nodules in a large deep fatty mass indicate liposarcoma.

  • C. Desmoid tumour

    A desmoid is a non-fatty fibrous mass.

  • D. Haematoma

    A haematoma does not have fat signal.

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, Well-differentiated liposarcoma. A deep large fatty mass with thick septa and enhancing nodules suggests atypical lipomatous tumour or liposarcoma, which requires biopsy and specialist management.

Why is "Simple lipoma" not the answer?

A simple lipoma is homogeneous with thin septa.

Why is "Desmoid tumour" not the answer?

A desmoid is a non-fatty fibrous mass.

Why is "Haematoma" not the answer?

A haematoma does not have fat signal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests MSK imaging: lipoma versus liposarcoma in Radiology. A simple lipoma is uniformly fat signal with thin septa. Haematomas do not contain fat signal.

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 MSK imaging: lipoma versus liposarcoma?

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.