Infectious diseases: hydatid cyst aspiration: 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 · Infectious diseases: hydatid cyst aspiration

Sample item

A 35-year-old shepherd has a 9 cm cystic liver lesion with daughter cysts and a thick wall on ultrasound. Why is blind percutaneous aspiration of such a lesion avoided?

AThe fluid is too viscous to aspirateBIt causes reactivation of latent tuberculosisCIt always produces severe haemobiliaDSpillage can cause anaphylaxis and seeding of protoscolices

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Spillage can cause anaphylaxis and seeding of protoscolices

Cyst fluid contains antigenic material and protoscolices. Leakage may cause anaphylactic shock and secondary echinococcosis. Aspiration is done only under albendazole cover as part of puncture, aspiration, injection and re-aspiration.

Option by option

A. The fluid is too viscous to aspirate
Hydatid fluid is clear and can be aspirated.
B. It causes reactivation of latent tuberculosis
Aspiration has no link to reactivation of tuberculosis.
C. It always produces severe haemobilia
Haemobilia is not the reason for avoiding aspiration.
D. Spillage can cause anaphylaxis and seeding of protoscolices (correct)
Correct. Leakage of antigenic fluid risks anaphylaxis and dissemination.

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.

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Spillage can cause anaphylaxis and seeding of protoscolices. Cyst fluid contains antigenic material and protoscolices.

Why is "The fluid is too viscous to aspirate" not the answer?

Hydatid fluid is clear and can be aspirated.

Why is "It causes reactivation of latent tuberculosis" not the answer?

Aspiration has no link to reactivation of tuberculosis.

Why is "It always produces severe haemobilia" not the answer?

Haemobilia is not the reason for avoiding aspiration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: hydatid cyst aspiration in General Medicine. Leakage may cause anaphylactic shock and secondary echinococcosis. Aspiration is done only under albendazole cover as part of puncture, aspiration, injection and re-aspiration.

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 Infectious diseases: hydatid cyst aspiration?

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.