Hepatobiliary imaging: HIDA scan: 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 · Hepatobiliary imaging: HIDA scan

Sample item

A patient has suspected acute cholecystitis but equivocal ultrasound. Nonvisualization of the gallbladder on hepatobiliary scintigraphy most supports what?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cystic duct obstruction

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy assesses bile flow; failure of tracer to enter the gallbladder suggests cystic-duct obstruction, supporting acute cholecystitis in the right clinical setting.

Option by option

  • A. Common bile duct stone proven in every case

    Common bile duct obstruction has a different scintigraphic pattern.

  • B. Renal artery stenosis

    Renal artery stenosis is unrelated to hepatobiliary tracer flow.

  • C. Cystic duct obstruction (correct)

    Correct. Cystic duct obstruction prevents gallbladder filling.

  • D. Normal gallbladder function

    Nonvisualization is not normal in this setting.

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 C, Cystic duct obstruction. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy assesses bile flow; failure of tracer to enter the gallbladder suggests cystic-duct obstruction, supporting acute cholecystitis in the right clinical setting.

Why is "Common bile duct stone proven in every case" not the answer?

Common bile duct obstruction has a different scintigraphic pattern.

Why is "Renal artery stenosis" not the answer?

Renal artery stenosis is unrelated to hepatobiliary tracer flow.

Why is "Normal gallbladder function" not the answer?

Nonvisualization is not normal in this setting.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hepatobiliary imaging: HIDA scan in Radiology. The correct option holds because: Correct. Cystic duct obstruction prevents gallbladder filling.

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 Hepatobiliary imaging: HIDA scan?

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.