Spine imaging: spinal trauma: 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 · Spine imaging: spinal trauma

Sample item

A patient with neck pain after a diving accident has a normal lateral cervical spine radiograph, but persistent neurological deficits. Which investigation best assesses the cord injury?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. MRI of the cervical spine

MRI shows cord oedema, haemorrhage, ligamentous injury and disc disruption, and defines prognosis. CT is the best test for bony injury. A normal radiograph does not exclude an unstable injury or spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality.

Option by option

  • A. Repeat plain film

    A repeat film adds little.

  • B. Bone scan

    A bone scan is not used in acute trauma.

  • C. MRI of the cervical spine (correct)

    Correct. MRI shows cord and ligament injury.

  • D. Ultrasound

    Ultrasound cannot assess the cord through bone in adults.

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 C, MRI of the cervical spine. MRI shows cord oedema, haemorrhage, ligamentous injury and disc disruption, and defines prognosis.

Why is "Repeat plain film" not the answer?

A repeat film adds little.

Why is "Bone scan" not the answer?

A bone scan is not used in acute trauma.

Why is "Ultrasound" not the answer?

Ultrasound cannot assess the cord through bone in adults.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine imaging: spinal trauma in Radiology. CT is the best test for bony injury. A normal radiograph does not exclude an unstable injury or spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality.

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 Spine imaging: spinal trauma?

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.