Head and neck imaging: sialography in Sjogren syndrome: 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.

Try it

Radiology · Head and neck imaging: sialography in Sjogren syndrome

Sample item

A woman with dry eyes and dry mouth has bilateral parotid swelling. Sialography shows multiple small punctate collections of contrast throughout the glands. What is this pattern?

AA short stricture with proximal duct dilatationBPunctate sialectasis with a snowstorm appearanceCExtravasation of contrast outside the ductDA single filling defect in the main duct

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Punctate sialectasis with a snowstorm appearance

Sjogren syndrome destroys acini and the ducts leak into tiny cavities, giving diffuse punctate sialectasis that looks like a snowstorm. A single filling defect suggests a calculus, a stricture with proximal dilatation suggests a duct stricture, and extravasation suggests duct rupture.

Option by option

A. A short stricture with proximal duct dilatation
A short stricture with dilatation suggests a ductal stricture, usually after stone or inflammation.
B. Punctate sialectasis with a snowstorm appearance (correct)
Correct. Diffuse tiny contrast collections are punctate sialectasis in Sjogren syndrome.
C. Extravasation of contrast outside the duct
Extravasation indicates duct rupture and is not a pattern of autoimmune disease.
D. A single filling defect in the main duct
A solitary filling defect suggests a calculus.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Punctate sialectasis with a snowstorm appearance. Sjogren syndrome destroys acini and the ducts leak into tiny cavities, giving diffuse punctate sialectasis that looks like a snowstorm.

Why is "A short stricture with proximal duct dilatation" not the answer?

A short stricture with dilatation suggests a ductal stricture, usually after stone or inflammation.

Why is "Extravasation of contrast outside the duct" not the answer?

Extravasation indicates duct rupture and is not a pattern of autoimmune disease.

Why is "A single filling defect in the main duct" not the answer?

A solitary filling defect suggests a calculus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck imaging: sialography in Sjogren syndrome in Radiology. A single filling defect suggests a calculus, a stricture with proximal dilatation suggests a duct stricture, and extravasation suggests duct rupture.

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: sialography in Sjogren syndrome?

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.