Musculoskeletal imaging: SCIWORA: 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 · Musculoskeletal imaging: SCIWORA

Sample item

A 6-year-old has limb weakness after a road accident, and cervical radiographs and CT show no fracture or malalignment. What is the best next investigation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. MRI of the cervical spine

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality is seen in children because the flexible spine permits cord injury without bony damage. MRI shows cord oedema, haemorrhage, and ligamentous or disc injury.

Option by option

  • A. Myelography

    Myelography is invasive and has been replaced by MRI for evaluating cord injury.

  • B. Repeat radiographs after six weeks

    Delaying imaging for six weeks risks missed treatable injury and is not appropriate.

  • C. Bone scan

    A bone scan shows bone turnover and cannot demonstrate cord or ligament injury.

  • D. MRI of the cervical spine (correct)

    Correct. MRI shows the cord and soft-tissue injury that radiographs and CT cannot.

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 D, MRI of the cervical spine. Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality is seen in children because the flexible spine permits cord injury without bony damage.

Why is "Myelography" not the answer?

Myelography is invasive and has been replaced by MRI for evaluating cord injury.

Why is "Repeat radiographs after six weeks" not the answer?

Delaying imaging for six weeks risks missed treatable injury and is not appropriate.

Why is "Bone scan" not the answer?

A bone scan shows bone turnover and cannot demonstrate cord or ligament injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: SCIWORA in Radiology. MRI shows cord oedema, haemorrhage, and ligamentous or disc injury.

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 Musculoskeletal imaging: SCIWORA?

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.