Neuroimaging: subdural haematoma: 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: subdural haematoma

Sample item

An elderly alcoholic patient who fell a week ago has progressive drowsiness. CT shows a crescentic extra-axial collection of mixed density crossing sutures. What is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Subacute subdural haematoma

Subdural haematomas arise from torn bridging veins and spread over the hemisphere as a crescent, crossing sutures but not the dural reflections such as the falx. Their attenuation changes from hyperdense to isodense to hypodense over weeks. Bilateral isodense collections can be missed on CT.

Option by option

  • A. Intracerebral abscess

    An abscess is intra-axial with a ring enhancing capsule.

  • B. Subacute subdural haematoma (correct)

    Correct. A crescentic collection crossing sutures is subdural.

  • C. Epidermoid cyst

    An epidermoid cyst is a well-defined lesion without a history of trauma.

  • D. Extradural haematoma

    An extradural collection is lens-shaped and respects sutures.

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 B, Subacute subdural haematoma. Subdural haematomas arise from torn bridging veins and spread over the hemisphere as a crescent, crossing sutures but not the dural reflections such as the falx.

Why is "Intracerebral abscess" not the answer?

An abscess is intra-axial with a ring enhancing capsule.

Why is "Epidermoid cyst" not the answer?

An epidermoid cyst is a well-defined lesion without a history of trauma.

Why is "Extradural haematoma" not the answer?

An extradural collection is lens-shaped and respects sutures.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: subdural haematoma in Radiology. Their attenuation changes from hyperdense to isodense to hypodense over weeks. Bilateral isodense collections can be missed on CT.

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: subdural haematoma?

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.