Neuroimaging: oligodendroglioma: 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 · Neuroimaging: oligodendroglioma

Sample item

A 35-year-old has new-onset seizures. CT shows a cortical and subcortical frontal mass with coarse, clumped calcification and little oedema. Which tumour is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Oligodendroglioma

Oligodendroglioma is a slow-growing frontal lobe tumour with coarse calcification, cortical involvement and seizures. Glioblastoma shows ring enhancement with necrosis and oedema. Pilocytic astrocytoma occurs in children in the cerebellum, and lymphoma enhances homogeneously without calcification.

Option by option

  • A. Glioblastoma

    Glioblastoma shows necrosis, ring enhancement and extensive oedema.

  • B. Oligodendroglioma (correct)

    Correct. A calcified cortical frontal mass with seizures is typical of oligodendroglioma.

  • C. Pilocytic astrocytoma

    Pilocytic astrocytoma is a cystic cerebellar tumour of children.

  • D. Primary CNS lymphoma

    Lymphoma enhances homogeneously and rarely calcifies.

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, Oligodendroglioma. Oligodendroglioma is a slow-growing frontal lobe tumour with coarse calcification, cortical involvement and seizures.

Why is "Glioblastoma" not the answer?

Glioblastoma shows necrosis, ring enhancement and extensive oedema.

Why is "Pilocytic astrocytoma" not the answer?

Pilocytic astrocytoma is a cystic cerebellar tumour of children.

Why is "Primary CNS lymphoma" not the answer?

Lymphoma enhances homogeneously and rarely calcifies.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroimaging: oligodendroglioma in Radiology. Glioblastoma shows ring enhancement with necrosis and oedema. Pilocytic astrocytoma occurs in children in the cerebellum, and lymphoma enhances homogeneously without calcification.

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 Neuroimaging: oligodendroglioma?

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.