Nuclear medicine: Meckel diverticulum: 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 · Nuclear medicine: Meckel diverticulum

Sample item

A child with painless rectal bleeding is suspected to have a Meckel diverticulum. Which scan is most useful?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Tc-99m pertechnetate scan

Pertechnetate is taken up by ectopic gastric mucosa in the diverticulum, which shows as a focal area of uptake in the right lower abdomen at the same time as the stomach. Pentagastrin or H2 blockers can improve sensitivity. The scan can be false negative if gastric mucosa is absent.

Option by option

  • A. Tc-99m sestamibi scan

    Sestamibi is used for parathyroid and myocardial perfusion imaging.

  • B. I-131 scan

    I-131 is used for thyroid disease.

  • C. Tc-99m MDP bone scan

    An MDP scan images bone turnover.

  • D. Tc-99m pertechnetate scan (correct)

    Correct. Pertechnetate is taken up by gastric mucosa in a Meckel diverticulum.

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, Tc-99m pertechnetate scan. Pertechnetate is taken up by ectopic gastric mucosa in the diverticulum, which shows as a focal area of uptake in the right lower abdomen at the same time as the stomach.

Why is "Tc-99m sestamibi scan" not the answer?

Sestamibi is used for parathyroid and myocardial perfusion imaging.

Why is "I-131 scan" not the answer?

I-131 is used for thyroid disease.

Why is "Tc-99m MDP bone scan" not the answer?

An MDP scan images bone turnover.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nuclear medicine: Meckel diverticulum in Radiology. Pentagastrin or H2 blockers can improve sensitivity. The scan can be false negative if gastric mucosa is absent.

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 Nuclear medicine: Meckel diverticulum?

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.