Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound — MCQs
What is the next best step for a 22-year-old with a hepatic hemangioma on ultrasound?
Identify the marked structure in the given image.
Which of the following is typically seen on ultrasound in acute pyelonephritis?
Gadolinium is a contrast agent used for:
What is the characteristic feature of hepatocellular carcinoma on triphasic CT?
A 22-year-old man presents with a solitary 2 cm space-occupying lesion of mixed echogenicity in the right lobe of the liver on ultrasound examination. The rest of the liver is normal. Which of the following tests should be done next?
What is the best investigation for diagnosis and staging of renal cell carcinoma with thrombus extending into the IVC?
A 45-year-old patient presented with vague abdominal pain. On USG, he was found to have a renal cyst of Bosniak class III. CECT was done, as shown below. What imaging modality is shown?
Causes of thickened gallbladder wall on ultrasound examination are all except:
Investigation of choice for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: What is the next best step for a 22-year-old with a hepatic hemangioma on ultrasound?
- A. Angiography
- B. CT
- C. Biopsy
- D. MRI (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***MRI*** - **Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)** is the most sensitive and specific imaging modality for confirming the diagnosis of a **hepatic hemangioma** due to its characteristic enhancement patterns. - An MRI with contrast (e.g., gadolinium) can definitively distinguish a hemangioma from other **benign or malignant liver lesions**, especially when the ultrasound findings are equivocal. *Angiography* - **Angiography** is an invasive procedure and is typically reserved for cases where **embolization** or surgical resection of a very large or symptomatic hemangioma is being considered. - It is not the initial diagnostic choice for confirming a suspected hemangioma identified on **ultrasound**. *CT* - A **CT scan** with contrast can also characterize a hemangioma, showing peripheral nodular enhancement followed by progressive centripetal fill-in. - However, **MRI** generally offers superior soft tissue contrast and provides more definitive diagnostic features for hemangiomas, particularly in younger patients where radiation exposure from CT is a concern. *Biopsy* - **Biopsy** of a suspected hepatic hemangioma is generally contraindicated due to the risk of **hemorrhage** and is rarely necessary for diagnosis. - Imaging characteristics (especially on MRI) are usually sufficient to confirm the diagnosis without the need for an invasive procedure.
Question 2: Identify the marked structure in the given image.
- A. Electrode
- B. Coil (Correct Answer)
- C. Magnet
- D. Processor
Explanation: ***Coil*** - The marked structure appears to be a **cochlear implant's internal coil**, which is common in X-ray imaging of these devices. - The **cochlear implant internal coil** is crucial for transmitting processed sound signals via electromagnetic induction to the electrode array within the cochlea. *Electrode* - An **electrode array** is typically a thin, flexible wire with multiple contacts inserted into the cochlea, which is not what the arrow is pointing to directly. - While electrodes are part of a cochlear implant, the marked structure's shape and position are more consistent with the **internal coil** that connects to the electrode array. *Magnet* - A **magnet** is present in a cochlear implant system, typically in both the external processor and internal receiver, to hold these two components together through the skin. - Magnets usually appear as dense, circular structures in X-rays, often seen more anteriorly or superiorly to the coil for external component alignment. *Processor* - The **processor** for a cochlear implant is an external device worn behind the ear, not an implanted component visible on an X-ray. It processes sound and sends it to the internal coil. - The structures seen in the X-ray are **implanted components** of the cochlear implant, not the external sound processor.
Question 3: Which of the following is typically seen on ultrasound in acute pyelonephritis?
- A. Decreased vascularity
- B. Enlarged kidney with diffuse swelling (Correct Answer)
- C. Localized hypoechogenic areas in the kidney
- D. Fluid collection around the kidney
Explanation: ***Enlarged kidney with diffuse swelling*** - In **acute pyelonephritis**, the **most consistent ultrasound finding** is **renal enlargement** with **diffuse swelling** of the affected kidney. - This occurs due to **inflammatory edema** and increased fluid content within the renal parenchyma, representing the body's inflammatory response to infection. - **Diffuse enlargement** is present in the majority of cases and is often the **earliest sonographic manifestation**, making it the most typical finding. *Localized hypoechogenic areas in the kidney* - **Focal or multifocal hypoechoic areas** are indeed **highly characteristic** of acute pyelonephritis and represent zones of **parenchymal edema and inflammation**. - These are seen in approximately **20-80% of cases** and are considered a hallmark feature. - However, they may not be present in all cases, particularly in early or mild disease, whereas **renal enlargement is more consistently present**. - When visible, these areas have high specificity for the diagnosis. *Fluid collection around the kidney* - **Perinephric fluid collections** or abscesses indicate **complicated pyelonephritis** with extension of infection beyond the renal capsule. - These are **not typical findings in uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis** and suggest more severe or advanced infection requiring aggressive management. *Decreased vascularity* - Acute pyelonephritis typically shows **increased vascularity** on color Doppler due to **hyperemia and inflammatory vasodilation**. - **Decreased vascularity** is associated with **renal infarction**, severe ischemia, or chronic scarring—not acute bacterial infection.
Question 4: Gadolinium is a contrast agent used for:
- A. CT - angiography
- B. Bronchography
- C. MRI - Imaging (Correct Answer)
- D. Contrast Sonography
Explanation: ***MRI - Imaging*** - **Gadolinium** is a paramagnetic substance commonly used as a contrast agent in **Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)**. - It works by altering the **T1 relaxation times** of protons in tissues, enhancing the signal and improving the visibility of certain structures or pathologies like **tumors** or **inflammation**. *CT - angiography* - **CT angiography** typically uses **iodine-based contrast agents**, not gadolinium, to visualize blood vessels. - Iodine contrast agents work by absorbing X-rays, making blood vessels appear bright on CT images. *Bronchography* - **Bronchography** is an older imaging technique that involved introducing an **iodinated contrast medium** directly into the bronchial tree. - It has largely been replaced by **high-resolution CT scans** for evaluating airways. *Contrast Sonography* - **Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)**, or contrast sonography, primarily uses **microbubble contrast agents** made of inert gas. - These microbubbles enhance the reflectivity of blood, improving visualization of blood flow and organ perfusion.
Question 5: What is the characteristic feature of hepatocellular carcinoma on triphasic CT?
- A. No enhancement
- B. Delayed enhancement
- C. Arterial enhancement with washout (Correct Answer)
- D. Progressive enhancement
Explanation: ***Arterial enhancement with washout*** - **Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)** classically demonstrates **hyperenhancement** in the arterial phase due to its unique blood supply primarily from the **hepatic artery**. - This is followed by a characteristic **rapid "washout"** of contrast in the portal venous or delayed phases, as the tumor lacks normal portal venous supply and functional bile ducts. *No enhancement* - Lack of enhancement would suggest a **necrotic lesion** or a **benign cyst** rather than a primary malignant tumor like HCC. - This feature is not typical for a viable HCC on a triphasic CT scan. *Delayed enhancement* - **Delayed enhancement** is more typical of **fibrotic lesions** or some benign hepatic masses like **hemangiomas**, which continue to fill in with contrast over time. - It does not show the typical rapid arterial hyperenhancement and washout pattern of HCC. *Progressive enhancement* - **Progressive enhancement** is characteristic of entities like **hepatic hemangiomas**, which show gradual, often nodular, enhancement that follows the blood pool on delayed phases. - This pattern is distinct from the rapid arterial enhancement and subsequent washout seen in HCC.
Question 6: A 22-year-old man presents with a solitary 2 cm space-occupying lesion of mixed echogenicity in the right lobe of the liver on ultrasound examination. The rest of the liver is normal. Which of the following tests should be done next?
- A. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the lesion
- B. Hepatic scintigraphy
- C. Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the liver (Correct Answer)
- D. Hepatic angiography
Explanation: ***Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the liver*** - A **contrast-enhanced CT scan** offers superior anatomical detail and lesion characterization compared to ultrasound, which is crucial for evaluating a newly discovered **space-occupying liver lesion**. - It can help differentiate between benign and malignant lesions, provide information on vascularity, and guide further management or **biopsy planning**. *Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the lesion* - While a biopsy might eventually be needed, it is generally performed **after further imaging** has better characterized the lesion. - Biopsy can be invasive and carries risks; a CT scan can often narrow down the differential diagnosis and determine if a biopsy is truly necessary. *Hepatic scintigraphy* - **Hepatic scintigraphy** (e.g., Tc-99m sulfur colloid scan) is primarily used for evaluating diffuse liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or specific entities like **focal nodular hyperplasia** (FNH) with certain tracers. - It is not the most appropriate initial imaging test for general characterization of a solitary, unspecific liver lesion. *Hepatic angiography* - **Hepatic angiography** is an invasive procedure typically reserved for detailed assessment of liver vascularity, embolization, or pre-surgical planning for highly vascular tumors. - It is not a first-line diagnostic test for an unexplained solitary liver mass after an initial ultrasound.
Question 7: What is the best investigation for diagnosis and staging of renal cell carcinoma with thrombus extending into the IVC?
- A. CT scan (Correct Answer)
- B. Angiography
- C. Colour doppler imaging
- D. IVP
Explanation: ***CT scan*** - **CT scan** with contrast is the gold standard for diagnosing renal cell carcinoma and evaluating the extent of tumor thrombus into the **IVC**. - It provides detailed anatomical information on the tumor, staging, and involvement of adjacent structures. *Angiography* - **Angiography** is an invasive procedure primarily used for mapping the vascular supply of the tumor preoperatively or for embolization, not as a primary diagnostic tool. - It carries risks associated with contrast agents and catheterization and provides less comprehensive detail on tumor extension compared to CT. *Colour doppler imaging* - While useful for detecting blood flow and confirming the presence of a thrombus, **color Doppler imaging** (ultrasound) has limitations in accurately assessing the cranial extent of an IVC thrombus. - Its diagnostic accuracy is highly operator-dependent and less reliable for deep structures like the IVC compared to CT. *IVP* - **Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)** assesses the urinary tract's structure and function but has limited utility in detecting soft tissue masses like renal cell carcinoma or IVC thrombus. - It involves radiation exposure and contrast material, and has largely been replaced by more advanced imaging techniques like CT and MRI for renal masses.
Question 8: A 45-year-old patient presented with vague abdominal pain. On USG, he was found to have a renal cyst of Bosniak class III. CECT was done, as shown below. What imaging modality is shown?
- A. CT scan (Correct Answer)
- B. Contrast Dye study
- C. Angiography
- D. X-ray
Explanation: ***CT scan*** - The image provided is an **axial view** showing internal organs with different densities, characteristic of a **Computed Tomography (CT) scan**. - A CT scan uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. *Contrast Dye study* - A contrast dye study typically refers to the **administration of a contrast agent** to enhance visibility of structures in imaging, it is not an imaging modality itself but an adjunct. - While a CECT (Contrast-Enhanced CT) was mentioned in the clinical scenario, "Contrast Dye study" alone doesn't describe the image type. *Angiography* - **Angiography** is a specialized imaging technique used to visualize blood vessels, typically involving the injection of contrast media. - The image provided shows **parenchymal structures** like the liver and kidneys, not just blood vessels, making angiography an unlikely description. *X-ray* - A general **X-ray** (radiograph) produces a 2D projection of internal structures and does not provide the detailed cross-sectional view seen in this image. - X-rays are typically less sensitive for soft tissue differentiation compared to a CT scan.
Question 9: Causes of thickened gallbladder wall on ultrasound examination are all except:
- A. Congestive cardiac failure
- B. Postprandial state
- C. Kawasaki disease (Correct Answer)
- D. Cholecystitis
Explanation: ***Kawasaki disease*** (Correct Answer) - While Kawasaki disease can cause **gallbladder hydrops** (distension with bile), the primary ultrasound finding is an **enlarged, distended gallbladder** rather than isolated wall thickening. - When gallbladder involvement occurs in Kawasaki disease, it manifests as **acalculous cholecystitis** with hydrops, but this is **not a typical or common presentation** compared to the other causes listed. - The hallmark features of Kawasaki disease are **coronary artery aneurysms** and systemic vasculitis, not primary gallbladder pathology. - In clinical practice, gallbladder wall thickening would **not be attributed to Kawasaki disease** as a primary differential diagnosis. *Incorrect: Congestive cardiac failure* - **Systemic fluid overload** and venous congestion in CHF leads to gallbladder wall thickening due to **transudative edema**. - This is a **common cause** of non-inflammatory gallbladder wall thickening (>3mm). - The wall appears thickened, hypoechoic, and **edematous** without pericholecystic fluid. *Incorrect: Postprandial state* - After eating, the gallbladder **contracts to release bile**, causing the wall to appear thicker on ultrasound due to **accordion-like folding** of the mucosa. - This is a **normal physiological finding** and typically resolves within 1-2 hours. - Scanning should ideally be done after **6-8 hours of fasting** to avoid this pseudo-thickening. *Incorrect: Cholecystitis* - **Acute cholecystitis** is the **classic cause** of gallbladder wall thickening (>3mm, often >5mm). - Associated findings include **gallstones, pericholecystic fluid, positive sonographic Murphy's sign**, and wall edema. - The wall shows **layering** (subserosal edema) and hyperemia on Doppler imaging.
Question 10: Investigation of choice for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is
- A. USG (Correct Answer)
- B. X-ray
- C. CT
- D. MRI
Explanation: ***USG*** - **Ultrasound** is the preferred imaging modality for diagnosing **hypertrophic pyloric stenosis** due to its non-invasive nature, lack of radiation, and ability to directly visualize the thickened pyloric muscle. - Diagnostic criteria on ultrasound include a **pyloric muscle thickness** greater than 3-4 mm and a **pyloric channel length** greater than 14-17 mm. *X-ray* - An **X-ray** may show a dilated stomach with a **small amount of gas** in the distal bowel, but it is not specific for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and cannot directly visualize the pylorus. - Barium studies (upper GI series) were historically used but have largely been replaced by ultrasound due to **radiation exposure** and diagnostic inferiority. *CT* - **CT scans** involve significant **radiation exposure** and are generally not recommended for infants due to risks, especially when a definitive diagnosis can be made effectively with ultrasound. - While CT can visualize the pylorus, it offers no significant advantage over ultrasound for this specific condition and carries **higher risks**. *MRI* - **MRI** is a sophisticated imaging technique that offers excellent soft tissue contrast, but it is **time-consuming**, expensive, and often requires sedation in infants. - It is not the investigation of choice for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis where **ultrasound is readily available** and provides sufficient diagnostic information without sedation or radiation.
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