Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: thallium-201 myocardial uptake: 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 · Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: thallium-201 myocardial uptake

Sample item

Thallium-201 chloride is used for myocardial perfusion imaging. Which physiological analogue explains its uptake in viable myocytes?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Potassium, via the sodium-potassium ATPase

Thallium-201 behaves like potassium and enters viable myocardium through the sodium-potassium ATPase. It redistributes over hours, which helps separate ischaemic from infarcted myocardium.

Option by option

  • A. Glucose, via GLUT transporters

    Glucose analogue uptake through GLUT transporters describes FDG.

  • B. Potassium, via the sodium-potassium ATPase (correct)

    Correct. Thallium is a potassium analogue taken up by the Na-K ATPase of viable myocytes.

  • C. Iodide, via the sodium-iodide symporter

    Iodide uptake through the symporter describes thyroid radioiodine handling.

  • D. Calcium, via L-type channels

    Calcium entry through L-type channels is not the uptake mechanism for thallium.

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 B, Potassium, via the sodium-potassium ATPase. Thallium-201 behaves like potassium and enters viable myocardium through the sodium-potassium ATPase.

Why is "Glucose, via GLUT transporters" not the answer?

Glucose analogue uptake through GLUT transporters describes FDG.

Why is "Iodide, via the sodium-iodide symporter" not the answer?

Iodide uptake through the symporter describes thyroid radioiodine handling.

Why is "Calcium, via L-type channels" not the answer?

Calcium entry through L-type channels is not the uptake mechanism for thallium.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: thallium-201 myocardial uptake in Radiology. It redistributes over hours, which helps separate ischaemic from infarcted myocardium.

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 Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: thallium-201 myocardial uptake?

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.