Mesenteric ischaemia: chronic: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Mesenteric ischaemia: chronic

Sample item

A 62-year-old smoker has postprandial abdominal pain, fear of eating and a 10 kg weight loss. Colonoscopy and gastroscopy are normal. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Chronic mesenteric ischaemia

Chronic mesenteric ischaemia (intestinal angina) occurs with atherosclerotic stenosis of at least two of the three splanchnic arteries and causes pain 15 to 30 minutes after meals. Sitophobia leads to weight loss. CT angiography confirms it, and revascularisation by stenting or bypass is offered.

Option by option

  • A. Chronic pancreatitis

    Chronic pancreatitis causes pain radiating to the back with steatorrhoea.

  • B. Crohn disease

    Crohn disease would show mucosal changes.

  • C. Chronic mesenteric ischaemia (correct)

    Correct. Postprandial pain with weight loss and vascular risk factors suggests intestinal angina.

  • D. Peptic ulcer disease

    Ulcer disease would show lesions on endoscopy.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Chronic mesenteric ischaemia. Chronic mesenteric ischaemia (intestinal angina) occurs with atherosclerotic stenosis of at least two of the three splanchnic arteries and causes pain 15 to 30 minutes after meals.

Why is "Chronic pancreatitis" not the answer?

Chronic pancreatitis causes pain radiating to the back with steatorrhoea.

Why is "Crohn disease" not the answer?

Crohn disease would show mucosal changes.

Why is "Peptic ulcer disease" not the answer?

Ulcer disease would show lesions on endoscopy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mesenteric ischaemia: chronic in General Surgery. Sitophobia leads to weight loss. CT angiography confirms it, and revascularisation by stenting or bypass is offered.

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 Mesenteric ischaemia: chronic?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.