Neuroimaging: epidermoid cyst: 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: epidermoid cyst

Sample item

An MRI of a patient with facial pain shows a lobulated cerebellopontine angle mass that follows CSF on T1 and T2. FLAIR shows incomplete suppression and DWI is bright. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Epidermoid cyst

An epidermoid is a keratin-filled cyst that creeps around nerves and vessels. It mimics CSF on routine sequences but restricts diffusion and does not suppress on FLAIR, whereas an arachnoid cyst follows CSF on every sequence.

Option by option

  • A. Epidermoid cyst (correct)

    Correct. Restricted diffusion with CSF-like signal on T1 and T2 identifies an epidermoid.

  • B. Meningioma

    A meningioma enhances homogeneously and has a dural tail.

  • C. Arachnoid cyst

    An arachnoid cyst suppresses fully on FLAIR and does not restrict diffusion.

  • D. Vestibular schwannoma

    A schwannoma enhances avidly and widens the internal auditory canal.

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 A, Epidermoid cyst. An epidermoid is a keratin-filled cyst that creeps around nerves and vessels.

Why is "Meningioma" not the answer?

A meningioma enhances homogeneously and has a dural tail.

Why is "Arachnoid cyst" not the answer?

An arachnoid cyst suppresses fully on FLAIR and does not restrict diffusion.

Why is "Vestibular schwannoma" not the answer?

A schwannoma enhances avidly and widens the internal auditory canal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: epidermoid cyst in Radiology. It mimics CSF on routine sequences but restricts diffusion and does not suppress on FLAIR, whereas an arachnoid cyst follows CSF on every sequence.

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 Neuroimaging: epidermoid cyst?

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.