Breast imaging: 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 · Breast imaging

Sample item

A screening mammogram in a 52-year-old woman shows a cluster of fine, pleomorphic, linear branching microcalcifications without any mass. Core biopsy is most likely to show:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ductal carcinoma in situ

Fine pleomorphic or linear branching microcalcifications in a segmental or clustered distribution are suspicious for DCIS, as comedo-type necrosis calcifies. Stereotactic biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Coarse popcorn calcifications suggest a degenerating fibroadenoma, and eggshell calcification suggests fat necrosis or cysts.

Option by option

  • A. Fibroadenoma

    Fibroadenomas calcify coarsely, in a popcorn pattern.

  • B. Fat necrosis

    Fat necrosis classically shows lucent-centred or eggshell calcification.

  • C. Ductal carcinoma in situ (correct)

    Correct. Clustered pleomorphic branching calcifications point to DCIS.

  • D. Simple cyst

    Simple cysts have no suspicious microcalcifications and appear as anechoic on ultrasound.

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 C, Ductal carcinoma in situ. Fine pleomorphic or linear branching microcalcifications in a segmental or clustered distribution are suspicious for DCIS, as comedo-type necrosis calcifies.

Why is "Fibroadenoma" not the answer?

Fibroadenomas calcify coarsely, in a popcorn pattern.

Why is "Fat necrosis" not the answer?

Fat necrosis classically shows lucent-centred or eggshell calcification.

Why is "Simple cyst" not the answer?

Simple cysts have no suspicious microcalcifications and appear as anechoic on ultrasound.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Breast imaging in Radiology. Stereotactic biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Coarse popcorn calcifications suggest a degenerating fibroadenoma, and eggshell calcification suggests fat necrosis or cysts.

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 Breast imaging?

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.