Systemic paediatrics: childhood brain tumours: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Systemic paediatrics: childhood brain tumours

Sample item

A 7-year-old has morning vomiting, ataxia and papilloedema, with a midline cerebellar mass on MRI. Another child presents with bitemporal visual field defects and a suprasellar calcified cyst. Which pair of tumours is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Medulloblastoma; craniopharyngioma

Medulloblastoma is the commonest malignant posterior fossa tumour in children, arising in the cerebellar vermis and seeding the CSF. Craniopharyngioma arises from Rathke pouch remnants with suprasellar calcification and cystic change.

Option by option

  • A. Medulloblastoma; craniopharyngioma (correct)

    Correct. This pair matches the descriptions.

  • B. Glioblastoma; pituitary adenoma

    Glioblastoma and pituitary adenoma do not fit these features.

  • C. Pilocytic astrocytoma; schwannoma

    Schwannoma is not the suprasellar calcified tumour.

  • D. Ependymoma; meningioma

    Meningioma is rare in children.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Medulloblastoma; craniopharyngioma. Medulloblastoma is the commonest malignant posterior fossa tumour in children, arising in the cerebellar vermis and seeding the CSF.

Why is "Glioblastoma; pituitary adenoma" not the answer?

Glioblastoma and pituitary adenoma do not fit these features.

Why is "Pilocytic astrocytoma; schwannoma" not the answer?

Schwannoma is not the suprasellar calcified tumour.

Why is "Ependymoma; meningioma" not the answer?

Meningioma is rare in children.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic paediatrics: childhood brain tumours in Pediatrics. Craniopharyngioma arises from Rathke pouch remnants with suprasellar calcification and cystic change.

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 Systemic paediatrics: childhood brain tumours?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.