Nuclear medicine: viability: 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 · Nuclear medicine: viability

Sample item

Which PET tracer is used to assess myocardial viability by demonstrating glucose metabolism in hibernating myocardium?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. F-18 FDG

Hibernating myocardium shifts to glucose metabolism, and FDG uptake in a region with reduced perfusion (perfusion-metabolism mismatch) indicates viability that may recover after revascularisation. Metabolically inactive scar shows no uptake. MDP is a bone tracer.

Option by option

  • A. F-18 FDG (correct)

    Correct. FDG shows preserved glucose metabolism in viable myocardium.

  • B. Tc-99m MDP

    MDP images bone.

  • C. Ga-67 citrate

    Gallium images inflammation and some tumours.

  • D. I-123 MIBG

    MIBG images sympathetic innervation or neuroendocrine tumours.

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 A, F-18 FDG. Hibernating myocardium shifts to glucose metabolism, and FDG uptake in a region with reduced perfusion (perfusion-metabolism mismatch) indicates viability that may recover after revascularisation.

Why is "Tc-99m MDP" not the answer?

MDP images bone.

Why is "Ga-67 citrate" not the answer?

Gallium images inflammation and some tumours.

Why is "I-123 MIBG" not the answer?

MIBG images sympathetic innervation or neuroendocrine tumours.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nuclear medicine: viability in Radiology. Metabolically inactive scar shows no uptake. MDP is a bone tracer.

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 Nuclear medicine: viability?

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.