Neuroimaging: neurocysticercosis: 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: neurocysticercosis

Sample item

A young man with new-onset seizures has CT showing a small cystic lesion with an eccentric dot of high density inside. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Neurocysticercosis in the vesicular stage with a scolex

The cyst with an internal eccentric scolex, the dot-in-a-hole sign, is pathognomonic for neurocysticercosis. The stages are vesicular, colloidal vesicular (ring enhancement with oedema), granular nodular and nodular calcified. Albendazole with steroids and antiepileptic drugs is treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Tuberculoma

    A tuberculoma is a solid ring-enhancing lesion with central caseation.

  • B. Neurocysticercosis in the vesicular stage with a scolex (correct)

    Correct. A cyst with a scolex is pathognomonic of neurocysticercosis.

  • C. Toxoplasmosis

    Toxoplasmosis shows multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the basal ganglia in HIV.

  • D. Glioblastoma

    Glioblastoma is an irregular necrotic mass.

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.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Neurocysticercosis in the vesicular stage with a scolex. The cyst with an internal eccentric scolex, the dot-in-a-hole sign, is pathognomonic for neurocysticercosis.

Why is "Tuberculoma" not the answer?

A tuberculoma is a solid ring-enhancing lesion with central caseation.

Why is "Toxoplasmosis" not the answer?

Toxoplasmosis shows multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the basal ganglia in HIV.

Why is "Glioblastoma" not the answer?

Glioblastoma is an irregular necrotic mass.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: neurocysticercosis in Radiology. The stages are vesicular, colloidal vesicular (ring enhancement with oedema), granular nodular and nodular calcified. Albendazole with steroids and antiepileptic drugs is treatment.

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: neurocysticercosis?

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.