Abdominal and GI imaging: serous cystadenoma of the pancreas: 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 · Abdominal and GI imaging: serous cystadenoma of the pancreas

Sample item

A 65-year-old woman has an incidental pancreatic head lesion. CT shows a cluster of tiny cysts in a honeycomb pattern with a central stellate calcified scar. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Serous cystadenoma

Serous cystadenoma is a benign glycogen-rich cystic tumour of elderly women. Numerous small cysts with a central scar are typical, and asymptomatic lesions need only follow-up.

Option by option

  • A. Mucinous cystic neoplasm

    A mucinous cystic neoplasm is a few large cysts with thick septa in the body or tail, with malignant potential.

  • B. Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm

    A solid pseudopapillary neoplasm is a large encapsulated mass with haemorrhage in young women.

  • C. Serous cystadenoma (correct)

    Correct. A microcystic honeycomb lesion with a central stellate scar is characteristic.

  • D. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm

    An IPMN is a cystic lesion communicating with a dilated pancreatic duct.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, Serous cystadenoma. Serous cystadenoma is a benign glycogen-rich cystic tumour of elderly women.

Why is "Mucinous cystic neoplasm" not the answer?

A mucinous cystic neoplasm is a few large cysts with thick septa in the body or tail, with malignant potential.

Why is "Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm" not the answer?

A solid pseudopapillary neoplasm is a large encapsulated mass with haemorrhage in young women.

Why is "Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm" not the answer?

An IPMN is a cystic lesion communicating with a dilated pancreatic duct.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal and GI imaging: serous cystadenoma of the pancreas in Radiology. Numerous small cysts with a central scar are typical, and asymptomatic lesions need only follow-up.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Abdominal and GI imaging: serous cystadenoma of the pancreas?

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.