Nuclear medicine: 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 · Nuclear medicine

Sample item

A 4-year-old girl has had recurrent urinary tract infections. Which radionuclide study is best to detect renal cortical scarring?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tc-99m DMSA scan

Tc-99m DMSA binds to proximal tubular cells and gives static images of functioning renal cortex, so scars appear as photopenic defects. It is typically done several months after infection to avoid acute changes. MAG3 is used for dynamic assessment of drainage and obstruction.

Option by option

  • A. I-131 MIBG scan

    I-131 MIBG localises neuroendocrine tumours such as phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma.

  • B. Tc-99m DMSA scan (correct)

    Correct. DMSA images functioning cortex and shows scars.

  • C. Tc-99m MAG3 renogram

    MAG3 assesses split function and excretion, such as in obstruction.

  • D. Tc-99m sulphur colloid scan

    Sulphur colloid is taken up by the reticuloendothelial system of the liver, spleen and marrow.

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 B, Tc-99m DMSA scan. Tc-99m DMSA binds to proximal tubular cells and gives static images of functioning renal cortex, so scars appear as photopenic defects.

Why is "I-131 MIBG scan" not the answer?

I-131 MIBG localises neuroendocrine tumours such as phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma.

Why is "Tc-99m MAG3 renogram" not the answer?

MAG3 assesses split function and excretion, such as in obstruction.

Why is "Tc-99m sulphur colloid scan" not the answer?

Sulphur colloid is taken up by the reticuloendothelial system of the liver, spleen and marrow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nuclear medicine in Radiology. It is typically done several months after infection to avoid acute changes. MAG3 is used for dynamic assessment of drainage 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 Nuclear medicine?

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.