Spine imaging: cauda equina: 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 · Spine imaging: cauda equina

Sample item

A patient has back pain, bilateral sciatica, saddle numbness, and urinary retention. Which imaging study is most appropriate urgently?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. MRI of the lumbosacral spine

Cauda equina syndrome is a neurologic emergency, and MRI is the preferred study to identify compressive pathology. Imaging should be arranged urgently alongside surgical assessment.

Option by option

  • A. MRI of the lumbosacral spine (correct)

    Correct. MRI best visualizes neural compression and disc, tumor, or infective causes.

  • B. Ultrasound of the thyroid

    Thyroid ultrasound is unrelated to spinal neurologic compression.

  • C. Plain radiograph of the pelvis

    Pelvic radiographs do not assess the cauda equina.

  • D. DEXA scan

    DEXA assesses bone density, not acute nerve compression.

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 A, MRI of the lumbosacral spine. Cauda equina syndrome is a neurologic emergency, and MRI is the preferred study to identify compressive pathology.

Why is "Ultrasound of the thyroid" not the answer?

Thyroid ultrasound is unrelated to spinal neurologic compression.

Why is "Plain radiograph of the pelvis" not the answer?

Pelvic radiographs do not assess the cauda equina.

Why is "DEXA scan" not the answer?

DEXA assesses bone density, not acute nerve compression.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine imaging: cauda equina in Radiology. Imaging should be arranged urgently alongside surgical assessment.

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 Spine imaging: cauda equina?

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.