Paediatric imaging: neuroblastoma: 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: neuroblastoma

Sample item

A 2-year-old has an abdominal mass with fine stippled calcification that encases the aorta and displaces the kidney downward. Urinary VMA is raised. Which nuclear scan assists staging?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. MIBG scan

Neuroblastoma arises from the sympathetic chain or adrenal medulla and takes up MIBG, a norepinephrine analogue, so the scan shows primary and metastatic sites. Calcification is seen in up to 80 percent of cases. Wilms tumour does not encase vessels and displaces rather than encases them.

Option by option

  • A. MIBG scan (correct)

    Correct. MIBG localises neuroblastoma and its metastases.

  • B. Gastric emptying scan

    Gastric emptying studies are unrelated.

  • C. DMSA scan

    DMSA shows renal cortical scarring.

  • D. HIDA scan

    HIDA assesses hepatobiliary function.

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 A, MIBG scan. Neuroblastoma arises from the sympathetic chain or adrenal medulla and takes up MIBG, a norepinephrine analogue, so the scan shows primary and metastatic sites.

Why is "Gastric emptying scan" not the answer?

Gastric emptying studies are unrelated.

Why is "DMSA scan" not the answer?

DMSA shows renal cortical scarring.

Why is "HIDA scan" not the answer?

HIDA assesses hepatobiliary function.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric imaging: neuroblastoma in Radiology. Calcification is seen in up to 80 percent of cases. Wilms tumour does not encase vessels and displaces rather than encases them.

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 Paediatric imaging: neuroblastoma?

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.