Hernia and abdominal wall: sportsman's groin: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Hernia and abdominal wall: sportsman's groin

Sample item

A 24-year-old footballer has several months of exertional groin pain that spreads to the adductor region and is worse on sprinting, with no palpable hernia or cough impulse. Ultrasound is normal. Which investigation best explains the symptoms?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. MRI of the pubic region and groin

Athletic groin pain, or sportsman's hernia, is a weakness of the posterior inguinal wall or musculotendinous injury at the pubis without a visible hernia. MRI identifies pubic bone stress, adductor injury and other causes.

Option by option

  • A. Diagnostic laparotomy

    Laparotomy is unjustified without a diagnosis.

  • B. MRI of the pubic region and groin (correct)

    Correct. MRI differentiates sportsman's hernia from osteitis pubis and adductor injury.

  • C. Herniotomy without imaging

    Surgery without imaging may be wrongly directed.

  • D. Barium enema

    Barium enema studies the colon and does not explain groin pain.

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 General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, MRI of the pubic region and groin. Athletic groin pain, or sportsman's hernia, is a weakness of the posterior inguinal wall or musculotendinous injury at the pubis without a visible hernia.

Why is "Diagnostic laparotomy" not the answer?

Laparotomy is unjustified without a diagnosis.

Why is "Herniotomy without imaging" not the answer?

Surgery without imaging may be wrongly directed.

Why is "Barium enema" not the answer?

Barium enema studies the colon and does not explain groin pain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hernia and abdominal wall: sportsman's groin in General Surgery. MRI identifies pubic bone stress, adductor injury and other causes.

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 Hernia and abdominal wall: sportsman's groin?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.