Paediatric imaging: pyloric stenosis: 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 · Paediatric imaging: pyloric stenosis

Sample item

A 5-week-old boy has projectile non-bilious vomiting and an olive-shaped mass in the epigastrium. What is the diagnostic finding on ultrasound?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pyloric muscle thickness of 3 mm or more and channel length of 15 mm or more

Ultrasound is the investigation of choice, showing a thickened hypoechoic muscle wall (3 mm or more) and an elongated channel (about 15 mm or more). A barium meal, if done, shows the string sign and a shoulder sign. The target sign is of intussusception.

Option by option

  • A. Target sign in the right flank

    The target sign suggests intussusception.

  • B. Coiled spring sign

    The coiled spring sign is seen on barium in intussusception.

  • C. Double bubble sign

    Double bubble suggests duodenal atresia.

  • D. Pyloric muscle thickness of 3 mm or more and channel length of 15 mm or more (correct)

    Correct. Thickness and length criteria diagnose pyloric stenosis.

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 D, Pyloric muscle thickness of 3 mm or more and channel length of 15 mm or more. Ultrasound is the investigation of choice, showing a thickened hypoechoic muscle wall (3 mm or more) and an elongated channel (about 15 mm or more).

Why is "Target sign in the right flank" not the answer?

The target sign suggests intussusception.

Why is "Coiled spring sign" not the answer?

The coiled spring sign is seen on barium in intussusception.

Why is "Double bubble sign" not the answer?

Double bubble suggests duodenal atresia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric imaging: pyloric stenosis in Radiology. A barium meal, if done, shows the string sign and a shoulder sign. The target sign is of intussusception.

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 Paediatric imaging: pyloric stenosis?

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.