Endocrinology and diabetes: craniopharyngioma: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Endocrinology and diabetes: craniopharyngioma

Sample item

A 9-year-old boy has headache, growth failure and bitemporal visual field loss. MRI shows a partly cystic, calcified suprasellar mass. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngioma arises from Rathke pouch remnants and is the commonest suprasellar mass in children, with cysts and calcification on imaging. It causes visual field defects, hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus.

Option by option

  • A. Optic pathway glioma

    Optic glioma enlarges the optic nerves or chiasm and is not cystic or calcified.

  • B. Craniopharyngioma (correct)

    Correct. A calcified, cystic suprasellar mass in a child is typical.

  • C. Medulloblastoma

    Medulloblastoma arises in the posterior fossa.

  • D. Prolactinoma

    Prolactinoma is intrasellar, uncommon in young boys and rarely calcified.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Craniopharyngioma. Craniopharyngioma arises from Rathke pouch remnants and is the commonest suprasellar mass in children, with cysts and calcification on imaging.

Why is "Optic pathway glioma" not the answer?

Optic glioma enlarges the optic nerves or chiasm and is not cystic or calcified.

Why is "Medulloblastoma" not the answer?

Medulloblastoma arises in the posterior fossa.

Why is "Prolactinoma" not the answer?

Prolactinoma is intrasellar, uncommon in young boys and rarely calcified.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology and diabetes: craniopharyngioma in General Medicine. It causes visual field defects, hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus.

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 Endocrinology and diabetes: craniopharyngioma?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.