Neuroimaging: hypothalamic hamartoma: 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: hypothalamic hamartoma

Sample item

A child has episodes of laughing without mirth and precocious puberty. MRI shows a non-enhancing, T1 isointense mass at the tuber cinereum between the mamillary bodies and the pituitary stalk. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hypothalamic hamartoma

A hypothalamic hamartoma is a heterotopic neural mass that follows grey matter signal and does not enhance. It causes gelastic seizures and central precocious puberty.

Option by option

  • A. Hypothalamic glioma

    A hypothalamic glioma enhances and is often associated with optic pathway tumours.

  • B. Germinoma

    A germinoma enhances and typically causes diabetes insipidus.

  • C. Hypothalamic hamartoma (correct)

    Correct. A non-enhancing mass at the tuber cinereum with gelastic seizures and early puberty is characteristic.

  • D. Craniopharyngioma

    Craniopharyngioma is a calcified cystic suprasellar mass that enhances and causes visual loss and short stature.

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, Hypothalamic hamartoma. A hypothalamic hamartoma is a heterotopic neural mass that follows grey matter signal and does not enhance.

Why is "Hypothalamic glioma" not the answer?

A hypothalamic glioma enhances and is often associated with optic pathway tumours.

Why is "Germinoma" not the answer?

A germinoma enhances and typically causes diabetes insipidus.

Why is "Craniopharyngioma" not the answer?

Craniopharyngioma is a calcified cystic suprasellar mass that enhances and causes visual loss and short stature.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: hypothalamic hamartoma in Radiology. It causes gelastic seizures and central precocious puberty.

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: hypothalamic hamartoma?

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.