Spine imaging: vertebral metastasis: 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 · Spine imaging: vertebral metastasis

Sample item

A bone scan shows multiple hot spots in the spine. MRI of one vertebra shows loss of the normal T1 marrow signal with sparing of the disc. What does this suggest?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Metastatic marrow infiltration

Normal marrow fat is bright on T1, so replacement by tumour causes a dark T1 signal. The disc is characteristically spared in metastases. Benign osteoporotic fractures retain some fat signal and show a fluid sign.

Option by option

  • A. Metastatic marrow infiltration (correct)

    Correct. Replacement of marrow fat by tumour causes T1 hypointensity.

  • B. Normal red marrow in a child

    A normal child's marrow shows no focal lesion.

  • C. Osteoporotic wedge fracture only

    Osteoporotic fractures preserve fatty marrow in part.

  • D. Disc infection

    Disc infection destroys the disc and endplates.

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, Metastatic marrow infiltration. Normal marrow fat is bright on T1, so replacement by tumour causes a dark T1 signal.

Why is "Normal red marrow in a child" not the answer?

A normal child's marrow shows no focal lesion.

Why is "Osteoporotic wedge fracture only" not the answer?

Osteoporotic fractures preserve fatty marrow in part.

Why is "Disc infection" not the answer?

Disc infection destroys the disc and endplates.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine imaging: vertebral metastasis in Radiology. The disc is characteristically spared in metastases. Benign osteoporotic fractures retain some fat signal and show a fluid sign.

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: vertebral metastasis?

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.