Abdominal and GI imaging: pelvic phlebolith: 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 · Abdominal and GI imaging: pelvic phlebolith

Sample item

A kidney-ureter-bladder radiograph shows a 4-mm round pelvic calcification with a lucent centre, lying below the ischial spine. What is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Phlebolith

Phleboliths are calcified thrombi in pelvic veins and are common and incidental. They are round with a central lucency, lie in the lower pelvis, and on CT may show a comet-tail sign. Ureteric stones are usually oval, lack central lucency and show a soft tissue rim on CT.

Option by option

  • A. Ureteric calculus

    Ureteric calculi are usually solid and oval along the ureter's course.

  • B. Phlebolith (correct)

    Correct. A round calcification with central lucency in the lower pelvis is a phlebolith.

  • C. Appendicolith

    An appendicolith lies in the right iliac fossa and is laminated.

  • D. Calcified lymph node

    Calcified nodes are irregular and mottled, not ring-like.

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 B, Phlebolith. Phleboliths are calcified thrombi in pelvic veins and are common and incidental.

Why is "Ureteric calculus" not the answer?

Ureteric calculi are usually solid and oval along the ureter's course.

Why is "Appendicolith" not the answer?

An appendicolith lies in the right iliac fossa and is laminated.

Why is "Calcified lymph node" not the answer?

Calcified nodes are irregular and mottled, not ring-like.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal and GI imaging: pelvic phlebolith in Radiology. They are round with a central lucency, lie in the lower pelvis, and on CT may show a comet-tail sign. Ureteric stones are usually oval, lack central lucency and show a soft tissue rim on CT.

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 Abdominal and GI imaging: pelvic phlebolith?

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.