Neuroimaging: vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage: 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.

Try it

Radiology · Neuroimaging: vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage

Sample item

On day 7 after clipping of a ruptured aneurysm, a patient develops a new focal deficit. Which bedside test best screens for the likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Transcranial Doppler showing raised MCA velocities

Delayed cerebral ischaemia from vasospasm peaks between days 4 and 14. Transcranial Doppler detects narrowed arteries as raised flow velocities, and CT angiography or angiography confirms them.

Option by option

  • A. Plain skull radiograph

    A skull film shows bone, not cerebral vessels or ischaemia.

  • B. Ultrasound of the carotid bifurcation

    A carotid bifurcation scan evaluates extracranial atherosclerosis, not intracranial spasm.

  • C. Transcranial Doppler showing raised MCA velocities (correct)

    Correct. Raised velocities in the proximal arteries indicate vasospasm.

  • D. Electroencephalography

    EEG can show epileptiform activity but does not identify arterial narrowing.

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 C, Transcranial Doppler showing raised MCA velocities. Delayed cerebral ischaemia from vasospasm peaks between days 4 and 14.

Why is "Plain skull radiograph" not the answer?

A skull film shows bone, not cerebral vessels or ischaemia.

Why is "Ultrasound of the carotid bifurcation" not the answer?

A carotid bifurcation scan evaluates extracranial atherosclerosis, not intracranial spasm.

Why is "Electroencephalography" not the answer?

EEG can show epileptiform activity but does not identify arterial narrowing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage in Radiology. Transcranial Doppler detects narrowed arteries as raised flow velocities, and CT angiography or angiography confirms them.

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 Neuroimaging: vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage?

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.