Obstetric 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.

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Radiology · Obstetric imaging

Sample item

A woman at 20 weeks of gestation has right lower abdominal pain and tenderness, and appendicitis is suspected. Graded-compression ultrasound is non-diagnostic. What is the most appropriate next imaging?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. MRI of the abdomen without gadolinium

In pregnancy, ultrasound is the first-line test. If it is inconclusive, MRI without gadolinium is the preferred next study because it involves no ionising radiation. CT is kept for situations where MRI is unavailable and the benefit outweighs the risk.

Option by option

  • A. MRI of the abdomen without gadolinium (correct)

    Correct. It avoids both ionising radiation and gadolinium.

  • B. Immediate CT of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast

    CT carries ionising radiation and is avoided when MRI is a suitable alternative.

  • C. Series of plain abdominal radiographs

    Plain radiographs add radiation and rarely help to diagnose appendicitis.

  • D. MRI of the abdomen with gadolinium

    Gadolinium crosses the placenta and is avoided unless essential.

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 A, MRI of the abdomen without gadolinium. In pregnancy, ultrasound is the first-line test.

Why is "Immediate CT of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast" not the answer?

CT carries ionising radiation and is avoided when MRI is a suitable alternative.

Why is "Series of plain abdominal radiographs" not the answer?

Plain radiographs add radiation and rarely help to diagnose appendicitis.

Why is "MRI of the abdomen with gadolinium" not the answer?

Gadolinium crosses the placenta and is avoided unless essential.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric imaging in Radiology. If it is inconclusive, MRI without gadolinium is the preferred next study because it involves no ionising radiation. CT is kept for situations where MRI is unavailable and the benefit outweighs the risk.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Obstetric 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.