Neuroimaging: tuberous 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.

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Radiology · Neuroimaging: tuberous sclerosis

Sample item

A child with seizures and facial angiofibromas has CT showing calcified nodules along the lateral ventricular walls. What are they?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Subependymal nodules (candle-guttering) of tuberous sclerosis

Subependymal nodules along the ventricular walls, cortical tubers and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas near the foramen of Monro characterise tuberous sclerosis. Other features include renal angiomyolipomas and cardiac rhabdomyomas. CMV causes periventricular calcification, while toxoplasma calcification is scattered.

Option by option

  • A. Periventricular calcification of congenital toxoplasmosis

    Congenital CMV is the classical cause of periventricular calcification.

  • B. Basal ganglia calcification of hypoparathyroidism

    Hypoparathyroidism shows symmetrical basal ganglia calcification.

  • C. Tram-track calcification of Sturge-Weber

    Sturge-Weber has gyriform calcification in the parieto-occipital region.

  • D. Subependymal nodules (candle-guttering) of tuberous sclerosis (correct)

    Correct. Calcified subependymal nodules are typical of tuberous sclerosis.

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 D, Subependymal nodules (candle-guttering) of tuberous sclerosis. Subependymal nodules along the ventricular walls, cortical tubers and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas near the foramen of Monro characterise tuberous sclerosis.

Why is "Periventricular calcification of congenital toxoplasmosis" not the answer?

Congenital CMV is the classical cause of periventricular calcification.

Why is "Basal ganglia calcification of hypoparathyroidism" not the answer?

Hypoparathyroidism shows symmetrical basal ganglia calcification.

Why is "Tram-track calcification of Sturge-Weber" not the answer?

Sturge-Weber has gyriform calcification in the parieto-occipital region.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: tuberous sclerosis in Radiology. Other features include renal angiomyolipomas and cardiac rhabdomyomas. CMV causes periventricular calcification, while toxoplasma calcification is scattered.

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 Neuroimaging: tuberous 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.