Abdominal CT: 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 · Abdominal CT: diverticulitis

Sample item

CT shows sigmoid diverticula, focal colonic wall thickening, and inflammatory fat stranding in the left lower quadrant. What is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Acute sigmoid diverticulitis

Acute diverticulitis is diagnosed on CT by inflamed diverticula with localized mural thickening and pericolic inflammatory change. Complications include abscess, perforation, fistula, and obstruction.

Option by option

  • A. Acute sigmoid diverticulitis (correct)

    Correct. Diverticula plus focal sigmoid inflammation identify diverticulitis.

  • B. Ulcerative colitis

    Ulcerative colitis usually causes continuous colitis rather than focal pericolic inflammation around diverticula.

  • C. Pyloric stenosis

    Pyloric stenosis is an infant gastric-outlet disorder.

  • D. Acute cholecystitis

    Cholecystitis affects the right upper quadrant.

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.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Acute sigmoid diverticulitis. Acute diverticulitis is diagnosed on CT by inflamed diverticula with localized mural thickening and pericolic inflammatory change.

Why is "Ulcerative colitis" not the answer?

Ulcerative colitis usually causes continuous colitis rather than focal pericolic inflammation around diverticula.

Why is "Pyloric stenosis" not the answer?

Pyloric stenosis is an infant gastric-outlet disorder.

Why is "Acute cholecystitis" not the answer?

Cholecystitis affects the right upper quadrant.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal CT: diverticulitis in Radiology. Complications include abscess, perforation, fistula, and obstruction.

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 Abdominal CT: 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.