Neuroimaging: multiple sclerosis: 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.

Try it

Radiology · Neuroimaging: multiple sclerosis

Sample item

A young woman with relapsing neurological symptoms has MRI showing ovoid periventricular T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions oriented perpendicular to the ventricles. What is this sign?

ADawson fingers of multiple sclerosisBPulvinar signCHummingbird signDHockey stick sign

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Dawson fingers of multiple sclerosis

Dawson fingers are ovoid lesions along the medullary veins radiating from the lateral ventricles at right angles. Lesions in the corpus callosum, juxtacortical and infratentorial regions also support the diagnosis, and active lesions enhance. Spinal cord lesions are common.

Option by option

A. Dawson fingers of multiple sclerosis (correct)
Correct. Perpendicular periventricular ovoid lesions are Dawson fingers.
B. Pulvinar sign
The pulvinar sign is seen in variant CJD.
C. Hummingbird sign
The hummingbird sign is midbrain atrophy in progressive supranuclear palsy.
D. Hockey stick sign
The hockey stick sign is seen in variant CJD or other conditions with pulvinar and dorsomedial thalamic hyperintensity.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Dawson fingers of multiple sclerosis. Dawson fingers are ovoid lesions along the medullary veins radiating from the lateral ventricles at right angles.

Why is "Pulvinar sign" not the answer?

The pulvinar sign is seen in variant CJD.

Why is "Hummingbird sign" not the answer?

The hummingbird sign is midbrain atrophy in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Why is "Hockey stick sign" not the answer?

The hockey stick sign is seen in variant CJD or other conditions with pulvinar and dorsomedial thalamic hyperintensity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: multiple sclerosis in Radiology. Lesions in the corpus callosum, juxtacortical and infratentorial regions also support the diagnosis, and active lesions enhance. Spinal cord lesions are common.

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 Neuroimaging: multiple sclerosis?

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.