Trauma imaging: 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 · Trauma imaging

Sample item

A hypotensive man is brought in after a road accident, and a FAST scan is done with him lying supine. Which view most commonly shows free intraperitoneal fluid?

AThe hepatorenal pouch (Morison's pouch)BThe subxiphoid cardiac windowCThe lesser sacDThe splenorenal recess

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. The hepatorenal pouch (Morison's pouch)

Focused assessment with sonography for trauma looks for free fluid in the right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, pelvis and pericardium. In the supine patient, Morison's pouch is a dependent site and is the most commonly positive view for intraperitoneal blood.

Option by option

A. The hepatorenal pouch (Morison's pouch) (correct)
Correct. This is a dependent space where blood tends to collect.
B. The subxiphoid cardiac window
The subxiphoid window looks for pericardial fluid and not for intraperitoneal free fluid.
C. The lesser sac
The lesser sac is not a standard FAST window.
D. The splenorenal recess
The splenorenal recess is also examined, but free fluid is found there less often than in the hepatorenal pouch.

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 A, The hepatorenal pouch (Morison's pouch). Focused assessment with sonography for trauma looks for free fluid in the right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, pelvis and pericardium.

Why is "The subxiphoid cardiac window" not the answer?

The subxiphoid window looks for pericardial fluid and not for intraperitoneal free fluid.

Why is "The lesser sac" not the answer?

The lesser sac is not a standard FAST window.

Why is "The splenorenal recess" not the answer?

The splenorenal recess is also examined, but free fluid is found there less often than in the hepatorenal pouch.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma imaging in Radiology. In the supine patient, Morison's pouch is a dependent site and is the most commonly positive view for intraperitoneal blood.

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 Trauma imaging?

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.