Neuroimaging: anterior spinal artery infarction: 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: anterior spinal artery infarction

Sample item

After aortic aneurysm repair a patient has sudden paraplegia with loss of pain and temperature sensation but preserved vibration and position sense. T2 MRI shows paired bright spots in the anterior grey matter of the cord. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Anterior spinal artery infarction

The anterior spinal artery supplies the anterior two thirds of the cord, so infarction spares the dorsal columns. The T2 bright anterior horns are the owl's eye sign.

Option by option

  • A. Syringomyelia

    Syringomyelia produces a central cavity with dissociated sensory loss, developing slowly.

  • B. Subacute combined degeneration

    Subacute combined degeneration affects the dorsal columns and lateral tracts in B12 deficiency.

  • C. Anterior spinal artery infarction (correct)

    Correct. Anterior cord infarction explains the pattern of spared dorsal columns and the owl's eye sign.

  • D. Acute transverse myelitis

    Transverse myelitis involves the cord more diffusely and develops over hours to days with inflammation.

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, Anterior spinal artery infarction. The anterior spinal artery supplies the anterior two thirds of the cord, so infarction spares the dorsal columns.

Why is "Syringomyelia" not the answer?

Syringomyelia produces a central cavity with dissociated sensory loss, developing slowly.

Why is "Subacute combined degeneration" not the answer?

Subacute combined degeneration affects the dorsal columns and lateral tracts in B12 deficiency.

Why is "Acute transverse myelitis" not the answer?

Transverse myelitis involves the cord more diffusely and develops over hours to days with inflammation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: anterior spinal artery infarction in Radiology. The T2 bright anterior horns are the owl's eye sign.

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: anterior spinal artery infarction?

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.