Pancreatic imaging: acute pancreatitis: 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 · Pancreatic imaging: acute pancreatitis

Sample item

A patient with severe acute pancreatitis has a contrast-enhanced CT on day 5 showing a non-enhancing area of the pancreas involving more than 30 percent of the gland. What does this indicate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pancreatic necrosis

A non-enhancing pancreas on contrast CT performed after 72 hours reflects necrosis, and the CT severity index (Balthazar) combines inflammation with necrosis extent. Necrosis predicts infection and complications. Oedematous pancreatitis enhances normally.

Option by option

  • A. Normal enhancement

    Normal enhancement excludes necrosis.

  • B. Pancreatic necrosis (correct)

    Correct. Non-enhancement of the gland indicates necrosis.

  • C. Chronic calcific pancreatitis

    Chronic pancreatitis is recognised by calcification and ductal dilatation.

  • D. Interstitial oedematous pancreatitis

    Interstitial pancreatitis enhances homogeneously.

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, Pancreatic necrosis. A non-enhancing pancreas on contrast CT performed after 72 hours reflects necrosis, and the CT severity index (Balthazar) combines inflammation with necrosis extent.

Why is "Normal enhancement" not the answer?

Normal enhancement excludes necrosis.

Why is "Chronic calcific pancreatitis" not the answer?

Chronic pancreatitis is recognised by calcification and ductal dilatation.

Why is "Interstitial oedematous pancreatitis" not the answer?

Interstitial pancreatitis enhances homogeneously.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pancreatic imaging: acute pancreatitis in Radiology. Necrosis predicts infection and complications. Oedematous pancreatitis enhances normally.

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 Pancreatic imaging: acute pancreatitis?

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.