Neuroimaging: brain tumours: 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 · Neuroimaging: brain tumours

Sample item

A 50-year-old woman with headaches has an extra-axial, well-circumscribed, homogeneously enhancing mass on MRI attached to the dura, with a 'dural tail' and calcification. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Meningioma

Meningiomas arise from arachnoid cap cells and appear as extra-axial, dural-based masses that enhance avidly and homogeneously, often with a dural tail, calcification and hyperostosis of the adjacent bone. Many are slow-growing and are observed or resected. Glioblastoma is intra-axial with ring enhancement and necrosis.

Option by option

  • A. Vestibular schwannoma

    A vestibular schwannoma arises in the cerebellopontine angle and enters the internal auditory canal.

  • B. Meningioma (correct)

    Correct. A dural-based, avidly enhancing extra-axial mass with a dural tail is typical.

  • C. Metastasis

    Metastases are usually multiple, at the grey-white junction, with surrounding oedema.

  • D. Glioblastoma

    Glioblastoma is intra-axial and shows ring enhancement with central necrosis.

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, Meningioma. Meningiomas arise from arachnoid cap cells and appear as extra-axial, dural-based masses that enhance avidly and homogeneously, often with a dural tail, calcification and hyperostosis of the adjacent bone.

Why is "Vestibular schwannoma" not the answer?

A vestibular schwannoma arises in the cerebellopontine angle and enters the internal auditory canal.

Why is "Metastasis" not the answer?

Metastases are usually multiple, at the grey-white junction, with surrounding oedema.

Why is "Glioblastoma" not the answer?

Glioblastoma is intra-axial and shows ring enhancement with central necrosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: brain tumours in Radiology. Many are slow-growing and are observed or resected. Glioblastoma is intra-axial with ring enhancement and necrosis.

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 Neuroimaging: brain tumours?

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.