Nuclear medicine: neuroendocrine tumours: 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: neuroendocrine tumours

Sample item

Which functional imaging tracer is used for localising well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours expressing somatostatin receptors?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Ga-68 DOTATATE PET

Ga-68 DOTATATE binds somatostatin receptors, especially subtype 2, and is highly sensitive for carcinoid and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. The same receptor targeting is used for therapy with Lu-177 DOTATATE. FDG is more useful in poorly differentiated tumours.

Option by option

  • A. Tc-99m pertechnetate

    Pertechnetate images thyroid and gastric mucosa.

  • B. F-18 FDG PET only

    FDG is less sensitive in low-grade neuroendocrine tumours.

  • C. I-131 sodium iodide

    I-131 images thyroid tissue.

  • D. Ga-68 DOTATATE PET (correct)

    Correct. DOTATATE targets somatostatin receptors.

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 D, Ga-68 DOTATATE PET. Ga-68 DOTATATE binds somatostatin receptors, especially subtype 2, and is highly sensitive for carcinoid and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

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

Pertechnetate images thyroid and gastric mucosa.

Why is "F-18 FDG PET only" not the answer?

FDG is less sensitive in low-grade neuroendocrine tumours.

Why is "I-131 sodium iodide" not the answer?

I-131 images thyroid tissue.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nuclear medicine: neuroendocrine tumours in Radiology. The same receptor targeting is used for therapy with Lu-177 DOTATATE. FDG is more useful in poorly differentiated tumours.

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: neuroendocrine tumours?

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.