Contrast agents: 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 · Contrast agents

Sample item

A patient with sudden severe epigastric pain is suspected of having a perforated duodenal ulcer, and a contrast study is requested to show the leak. Which agent should be used?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Water-soluble iodinated contrast

When perforation is suspected, water-soluble iodinated contrast is used because it is absorbed from the peritoneum and is much less harmful if it leaks. Barium in the peritoneal cavity can cause severe peritonitis and adhesions.

Option by option

  • A. Gadolinium chelate

    Gadolinium chelates are MRI contrast agents and are not used for fluoroscopic studies.

  • B. Ethiodised oil

    Ethiodised oil is an oil-based agent used for lymphography and hysterosalpingography, not for gastrointestinal leak studies.

  • C. Water-soluble iodinated contrast (correct)

    Correct. It is safe if it escapes into the peritoneal cavity.

  • D. Barium sulphate suspension

    Barium leaking into the peritoneum can cause severe peritonitis and adhesions.

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 C, Water-soluble iodinated contrast. When perforation is suspected, water-soluble iodinated contrast is used because it is absorbed from the peritoneum and is much less harmful if it leaks.

Why is "Gadolinium chelate" not the answer?

Gadolinium chelates are MRI contrast agents and are not used for fluoroscopic studies.

Why is "Ethiodised oil" not the answer?

Ethiodised oil is an oil-based agent used for lymphography and hysterosalpingography, not for gastrointestinal leak studies.

Why is "Barium sulphate suspension" not the answer?

Barium leaking into the peritoneum can cause severe peritonitis and adhesions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Contrast agents in Radiology. Barium in the peritoneal cavity can cause severe peritonitis and adhesions.

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 Contrast agents?

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.