Abdominal and GI imaging: mesenteric adenitis: 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: mesenteric adenitis

Sample item

A child has right iliac fossa pain and fever after a sore throat. Graded-compression ultrasound shows a normal compressible appendix, multiple enlarged ileocaecal nodes and a mildly thickened terminal ileum. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Mesenteric adenitis

Mesenteric adenitis is a self-limiting nodal reaction, often after viral or Yersinia infection, that mimics appendicitis. A normal appendix with enlarged nodes allows conservative management.

Option by option

  • A. Ileocolic intussusception

    Intussusception shows a target or doughnut mass with colicky pain and redcurrant stool.

  • B. Mesenteric adenitis (correct)

    Correct. A normal appendix with enlarged ileocaecal nodes explains the picture.

  • C. Meckel diverticulitis

    Meckel diverticulitis shows a blind-ending inflamed pouch off the ileum, not isolated nodal enlargement.

  • D. Acute appendicitis

    Appendicitis shows a non-compressible, thickened appendix with periappendiceal inflammation.

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 B, Mesenteric adenitis. Mesenteric adenitis is a self-limiting nodal reaction, often after viral or Yersinia infection, that mimics appendicitis.

Why is "Ileocolic intussusception" not the answer?

Intussusception shows a target or doughnut mass with colicky pain and redcurrant stool.

Why is "Meckel diverticulitis" not the answer?

Meckel diverticulitis shows a blind-ending inflamed pouch off the ileum, not isolated nodal enlargement.

Why is "Acute appendicitis" not the answer?

Appendicitis shows a non-compressible, thickened appendix with periappendiceal inflammation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal and GI imaging: mesenteric adenitis in Radiology. A normal appendix with enlarged nodes allows conservative management.

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: mesenteric adenitis?

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.