Neuroimaging: vein of Galen malformation: 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 · Neuroimaging: vein of Galen malformation

Sample item

A neonate has high-output cardiac failure and a cranial bruit. Cranial ultrasound shows a midline anechoic structure behind the third ventricle with turbulent colour flow. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation

A vein of Galen malformation is an arteriovenous shunt into a dilated median prosencephalic vein, which causes high-output failure, a bruit and hydrocephalus. Colour Doppler shows turbulent flow. The other options are avascular cystic lesions.

Option by option

  • A. Choroid plexus cyst

    A choroid plexus cyst is a small incidental cyst within the choroid plexus.

  • B. Dandy-Walker malformation

    Dandy-Walker malformation is a posterior fossa cyst with vermian hypoplasia and no vascular flow.

  • C. Arachnoid cyst

    An arachnoid cyst is a nonvascular CSF collection.

  • D. Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (correct)

    Correct. A midline vascular sac with turbulent flow and heart failure is a vein of Galen malformation.

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 D, Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation. A vein of Galen malformation is an arteriovenous shunt into a dilated median prosencephalic vein, which causes high-output failure, a bruit and hydrocephalus.

Why is "Choroid plexus cyst" not the answer?

A choroid plexus cyst is a small incidental cyst within the choroid plexus.

Why is "Dandy-Walker malformation" not the answer?

Dandy-Walker malformation is a posterior fossa cyst with vermian hypoplasia and no vascular flow.

Why is "Arachnoid cyst" not the answer?

An arachnoid cyst is a nonvascular CSF collection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: vein of Galen malformation in Radiology. Colour Doppler shows turbulent flow. The other options are avascular cystic lesions.

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 Neuroimaging: vein of Galen malformation?

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.