MRI: T2 appearance of lesions: 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 · MRI: T2 appearance of lesions

Sample item

A well-defined, rounded liver lesion is markedly hyperintense on T2 (light bulb sign) and shows peripheral nodular discontinuous enhancement with centripetal filling. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Haemangioma

A haemangioma is very bright on heavily T2-weighted images and enhances peripherally in a nodular fashion that fills in over time. This pattern is characteristic and usually avoids biopsy. HCC shows arterial enhancement with washout, and FNH shows a central scar.

Option by option

  • A. Haemangioma (correct)

    Correct. Light bulb T2 signal with peripheral nodular filling is typical of haemangioma.

  • B. Focal nodular hyperplasia

    FNH shows a central scar and homogeneous arterial enhancement.

  • C. Hepatocellular carcinoma

    HCC enhances in the arterial phase and washes out.

  • D. Metastasis from colon

    Metastases show ring enhancement and moderate T2 signal.

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 A, Haemangioma. A haemangioma is very bright on heavily T2-weighted images and enhances peripherally in a nodular fashion that fills in over time.

Why is "Focal nodular hyperplasia" not the answer?

FNH shows a central scar and homogeneous arterial enhancement.

Why is "Hepatocellular carcinoma" not the answer?

HCC enhances in the arterial phase and washes out.

Why is "Metastasis from colon" not the answer?

Metastases show ring enhancement and moderate T2 signal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests MRI: T2 appearance of lesions in Radiology. This pattern is characteristic and usually avoids biopsy. HCC shows arterial enhancement with washout, and FNH shows a central scar.

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 MRI: T2 appearance of lesions?

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.