Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: F-18 sodium fluoride PET: 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 · Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: F-18 sodium fluoride PET

Sample item

Which PET tracer images osteoblastic activity by exchanging with hydroxyl groups in hydroxyapatite, and is used for detecting bone metastases?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. F-18 sodium fluoride

F-18 fluoride is a bone-seeking PET tracer with higher spatial resolution and better target-to-background ratio than Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy. FDG instead maps glucose metabolism.

Option by option

  • A. Ga-68 DOTATATE

    Ga-68 DOTATATE binds somatostatin receptors on neuroendocrine tumours.

  • B. F-18 sodium fluoride (correct)

    Correct. F-18 fluoride is incorporated into hydroxyapatite at sites of bone turnover.

  • C. F-18 FDG

    FDG is a glucose analogue and shows metabolically active cells, not bone mineral exchange.

  • D. C-11 methionine

    C-11 methionine is an amino acid tracer used mainly for brain tumours.

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, F-18 sodium fluoride. F-18 fluoride is a bone-seeking PET tracer with higher spatial resolution and better target-to-background ratio than Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy.

Why is "Ga-68 DOTATATE" not the answer?

Ga-68 DOTATATE binds somatostatin receptors on neuroendocrine tumours.

Why is "F-18 FDG" not the answer?

FDG is a glucose analogue and shows metabolically active cells, not bone mineral exchange.

Why is "C-11 methionine" not the answer?

C-11 methionine is an amino acid tracer used mainly for brain tumours.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: F-18 sodium fluoride PET in Radiology. FDG instead maps glucose metabolism.

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 Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: F-18 sodium fluoride PET?

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.