CNS: meningioma: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · CNS: meningioma

Sample item

A 55-year-old woman has new-onset seizures. MRI shows a well-circumscribed, extra-axial, dural-based mass that enhances avidly with a dural tail. What is the expected histology?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Whorled meningothelial cells with psammoma bodies

Meningiomas arise from arachnoid cap cells, are commoner in women and are often associated with NF2 loss on chromosome 22. Typical histology shows whorls of meningothelial cells with calcified psammoma bodies. Most are benign and slow-growing, and complete surgical excision is usually curative.

Option by option

  • A. Perivascular pseudorosettes of cells with fibrillary processes

    Perivascular pseudorosettes characterise ependymoma.

  • B. Whorled meningothelial cells with psammoma bodies (correct)

    Correct. Whorls and psammoma bodies characterise meningiomas.

  • C. Biphasic tumour with Rosenthal fibres and eosinophilic granular bodies

    Rosenthal fibres and eosinophilic granular bodies characterise pilocytic astrocytoma, a tumour of children.

  • D. Round cells with perinuclear halos and a chicken-wire capillary network

    Perinuclear halos and chicken-wire vessels characterise oligodendroglioma, an intra-axial tumour.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Whorled meningothelial cells with psammoma bodies. Meningiomas arise from arachnoid cap cells, are commoner in women and are often associated with NF2 loss on chromosome 22.

Why is "Perivascular pseudorosettes of cells with fibrillary processes" not the answer?

Perivascular pseudorosettes characterise ependymoma.

Why is "Biphasic tumour with Rosenthal fibres and eosinophilic granular bodies" not the answer?

Rosenthal fibres and eosinophilic granular bodies characterise pilocytic astrocytoma, a tumour of children.

Why is "Round cells with perinuclear halos and a chicken-wire capillary netwo…" not the answer?

Perinuclear halos and chicken-wire vessels characterise oligodendroglioma, an intra-axial tumour.

What concept does this question test?

It tests CNS: meningioma in Pathology. Typical histology shows whorls of meningothelial cells with calcified psammoma bodies. Most are benign and slow-growing, and complete surgical excision is usually curative.

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 CNS: meningioma?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.