Spine imaging: cervical spondylotic myelopathy: 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 · Spine imaging: cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Sample item

A 65-year-old man has gait unsteadiness, clumsy hands and brisk reflexes. MRI shows multilevel cervical spondylosis with cord compression. Which additional MRI finding indicates cord injury?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. T2 hyperintensity within the cord at the level of compression

High T2 signal within a compressed cord reflects oedema, gliosis or myelomalacia and correlates with myelopathy. Osteophytes and disc bulges are the cause, not a marker of cord damage. Surgical decompression is considered when symptoms progress.

Option by option

  • A. T2 hyperintensity within the cord at the level of compression (correct)

    Correct. Intramedullary T2 hyperintensity marks cord damage.

  • B. Marrow fat in the vertebral bodies

    Normal marrow fat has no bearing on cord injury.

  • C. Normal CSF around the cord

    Preserved CSF would argue against significant compression.

  • D. Facet joint osteophytes

    Osteophytes explain the cause but do not show cord injury.

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, T2 hyperintensity within the cord at the level of compression. High T2 signal within a compressed cord reflects oedema, gliosis or myelomalacia and correlates with myelopathy.

Why is "Marrow fat in the vertebral bodies" not the answer?

Normal marrow fat has no bearing on cord injury.

Why is "Normal CSF around the cord" not the answer?

Preserved CSF would argue against significant compression.

Why is "Facet joint osteophytes" not the answer?

Osteophytes explain the cause but do not show cord injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine imaging: cervical spondylotic myelopathy in Radiology. Osteophytes and disc bulges are the cause, not a marker of cord damage. Surgical decompression is considered when symptoms progress.

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 Spine imaging: cervical spondylotic myelopathy?

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.