Paediatric surgery: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Paediatric surgery

Sample item

An 8-month-old infant has episodic severe colicky crying with drawing up of the legs, vomiting, and a stool like redcurrant jelly. A sausage-shaped mass is felt in the abdomen. What is the investigation of choice?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Abdominal ultrasound

The picture is intussusception. Ultrasound shows the characteristic target or doughnut sign and is highly sensitive without radiation. Image-guided air or hydrostatic enema is then used for reduction if there is no peritonitis.

Option by option

  • A. Barium meal

    A barium meal examines the upper gut and is not used for this diagnosis.

  • B. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

    Endoscopy of the upper gut does not reach the site of the lesion.

  • C. Abdominal ultrasound (correct)

    Correct. It is accurate, quick and safe in infants.

  • D. CT of the abdomen as the first test

    CT exposes the child to radiation and is not needed as the first test.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Abdominal ultrasound. The picture is intussusception.

Why is "Barium meal" not the answer?

A barium meal examines the upper gut and is not used for this diagnosis.

Why is "Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy" not the answer?

Endoscopy of the upper gut does not reach the site of the lesion.

Why is "CT of the abdomen as the first test" not the answer?

CT exposes the child to radiation and is not needed as the first test.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric surgery in Pediatrics. Ultrasound shows the characteristic target or doughnut sign and is highly sensitive without radiation. Image-guided air or hydrostatic enema is then used for reduction if there is no peritonitis.

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 Paediatric surgery?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.