SPEX Radiology and Imaging Flashcards
6 cards from real SPEX practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 SPEX Radiology and Imaging flashcards as text
Which finding on ultrasound is most consistent with acute cholecystitis?
Answer: Gallbladder wall thickening with a positive Murphy's sign on US
Sonographic Murphy's sign (probe tenderness over the gallbladder) combined with wall thickening >4 mm is highly specific for acute cholecystitis.
What is the most appropriate imaging for a pregnant woman with suspected appendicitis when ultrasound is inconclusive?
Answer: MRI abdomen without contrast
MRI without contrast is preferred in pregnancy for inconclusive ultrasound findings because it avoids ionizing radiation while providing excellent soft tissue detail.
A bone scan shows a 'cold' lesion in a patient with known multiple myeloma. What does this indicate?
Answer: Aggressive lesion with poor blood flow
Cold lesions on bone scan represent areas of poor vascularity; in myeloma, purely lytic lesions may not take up the tracer, making plain X-rays or PET-CT superior.
Which finding on echocardiography is most consistent with cardiac tamponade?
Answer: Right ventricular diastolic collapse
Right ventricular diastolic collapse on echo is a hallmark of cardiac tamponade, indicating elevated pericardial pressure compressing the right heart.
Which imaging modality best characterizes liver lesions detected incidentally on CT?
Answer: MRI with hepatobiliary contrast agent
MRI with hepatobiliary contrast agents (e.g., gadoxetate disodium) provides excellent characterization of focal liver lesions including hemangiomas, HCC, and metastases.
What is the Westmark sign on chest X-ray in the context of pulmonary embolism?
Answer: Focal oligemia distal to an occluded vessel
Westermark sign refers to focal oligemia (decreased vascular markings) distal to an obstructing embolus, indicating reduced perfusion.