MRI: nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: 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 · MRI: nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

Sample item

A patient with an eGFR of 15 mL/min needs contrast-enhanced MRI. Which complication is the principal concern with older linear gadolinium agents?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis causes skin thickening and joint contractures, and occasionally visceral fibrosis, in patients with severe renal impairment. Group II macrocyclic agents carry a far lower risk and are preferred. Iodine-related complications are unrelated to gadolinium.

Option by option

  • A. Anaphylactoid reaction due to iodine

    Gadolinium contains no iodine.

  • B. Contrast-induced thyrotoxicosis

    Thyrotoxicosis is a risk of iodinated contrast.

  • C. Pulmonary fibrosis

    Pulmonary fibrosis is not a feature of gadolinium exposure.

  • D. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (correct)

    Correct. NSF is linked to gadolinium in advanced renal failure.

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 D, Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis causes skin thickening and joint contractures, and occasionally visceral fibrosis, in patients with severe renal impairment.

Why is "Anaphylactoid reaction due to iodine" not the answer?

Gadolinium contains no iodine.

Why is "Contrast-induced thyrotoxicosis" not the answer?

Thyrotoxicosis is a risk of iodinated contrast.

Why is "Pulmonary fibrosis" not the answer?

Pulmonary fibrosis is not a feature of gadolinium exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests MRI: nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in Radiology. Group II macrocyclic agents carry a far lower risk and are preferred. Iodine-related complications are unrelated to gadolinium.

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 MRI: nephrogenic systemic fibrosis?

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.