Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: congenital hypothyroidism scintigraphy: 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 · Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: congenital hypothyroidism scintigraphy

Sample item

A newborn with congenital hypothyroidism has a thyroid scintigram showing a single focus of uptake at the base of the tongue and no uptake in the neck. What is the cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Lingual thyroid ectopia

A midline focus of uptake at the base of the tongue is an ectopic lingual thyroid caused by failed descent of the gland. Agenesis shows no uptake anywhere, dyshormonogenesis shows an enlarged gland with high uptake, and maternal antithyroid drugs cause transient suppressed uptake in a normally placed gland.

Option by option

  • A. Maternal antithyroid drug effect

    Maternal drug effect gives low uptake in a gland in the normal position.

  • B. Thyroid agenesis

    Agenesis shows no uptake anywhere.

  • C. Dyshormonogenesis

    Dyshormonogenesis causes an enlarged gland with high or normal uptake in the neck.

  • D. Lingual thyroid ectopia (correct)

    Correct. Uptake only at the tongue base indicates lingual thyroid ectopia.

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, Lingual thyroid ectopia. A midline focus of uptake at the base of the tongue is an ectopic lingual thyroid caused by failed descent of the gland.

Why is "Maternal antithyroid drug effect" not the answer?

Maternal drug effect gives low uptake in a gland in the normal position.

Why is "Thyroid agenesis" not the answer?

Agenesis shows no uptake anywhere.

Why is "Dyshormonogenesis" not the answer?

Dyshormonogenesis causes an enlarged gland with high or normal uptake in the neck.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: congenital hypothyroidism scintigraphy in Radiology. Agenesis shows no uptake anywhere, dyshormonogenesis shows an enlarged gland with high uptake, and maternal antithyroid drugs cause transient suppressed uptake in a normally placed gland.

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 Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: congenital hypothyroidism scintigraphy?

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.