Head and neck imaging: carotid Doppler: 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 · Head and neck imaging: carotid Doppler

Sample item

A patient with transient monocular blindness has carotid Doppler showing a high peak systolic velocity at the origin of the internal carotid artery. What does it indicate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Significant carotid stenosis

Elevated peak systolic velocity (above about 125 cm/s for moderate and above 230 cm/s for severe stenosis) and post-stenotic turbulence show haemodynamically significant ICA stenosis. Amaurosis fugax is an embolic phenomenon from carotid plaque. Symptomatic stenosis over 70 percent warrants endarterectomy.

Option by option

  • A. Vertebral artery dissection

    Vertebral dissection involves the posterior circulation.

  • B. Significant carotid stenosis (correct)

    Correct. High velocity at the stenosis suggests a significant narrowing.

  • C. Normal flow

    Normal flow would not produce a high PSV.

  • D. Subclavian steal

    Subclavian steal shows reversed vertebral flow.

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, Significant carotid stenosis. Elevated peak systolic velocity (above about 125 cm/s for moderate and above 230 cm/s for severe stenosis) and post-stenotic turbulence show haemodynamically significant ICA stenosis.

Why is "Vertebral artery dissection" not the answer?

Vertebral dissection involves the posterior circulation.

Why is "Normal flow" not the answer?

Normal flow would not produce a high PSV.

Why is "Subclavian steal" not the answer?

Subclavian steal shows reversed vertebral flow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck imaging: carotid Doppler in Radiology. Amaurosis fugax is an embolic phenomenon from carotid plaque. Symptomatic stenosis over 70 percent warrants endarterectomy.

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 Head and neck imaging: carotid Doppler?

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.