Practice targeted AMC-style multiple-choice questions on computed tomography (CT).
A 72-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a 6-hour history of worsening pain in his right groin. He has a known right inguinal hernia that has been present for several years and was previously reducible, but he has been unable to push it back in today. The pain is now constant and severe, rated 8/10. He denies fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. His vital signs are: temperature 37.2°C, heart rate 96 bpm, blood pressure 140/90 mmHg, respiratory rate 18 breaths/min, oxygen saturation 97% on room air. On examination, there is a firm, exquisitely tender, non-reducible mass in the right inguinal region. The overlying skin appears slightly erythematous. Bowel sounds are present and normal. An urgent CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed, and a representative axial image is shown. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the image, what is the MOST appropriate immediate next step in management?
A 45-year-old woman presents to the ED with right upper quadrant pain, fever, and nausea for 2 days. Her vital signs are: BP 130/80 mmHg, HR 105 bpm, Temp 38.5°C, RR 18 bpm, SpO2 98% on room air. An abdominal CT scan with contrast is performed, and a slice is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 70-year-old male presents to his general practitioner complaining of mild, chronic lower back pain that has been present for several months. He describes the pain as a dull ache, worse with prolonged standing. He has a significant past medical history including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a 50-pack-year smoking history, all of which are currently managed with medications. He denies any acute abdominal pain, pulsatile sensation, or leg symptoms. On physical examination, his vital signs are stable: blood pressure 135/85 mmHg, heart rate 72 bpm, respiratory rate 14 breaths/min, and oxygen saturation 99% on room air. Abdominal examination is soft, non-tender, with no palpable masses. Peripheral pulses are symmetric and strong. As part of the investigation into his chronic back pain, a contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed. An axial view from the scan is shown. Based on the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the provided image, which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 72-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents for a routine follow-up. He is asymptomatic. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen was performed as part of a screening protocol. An axial view is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step?
A 3-year-old child is investigated for a 2-month history of increasing abdominal distension and intermittent pain. On examination, a firm, non-tender mass is palpable in the upper abdomen. Initial blood tests reveal mild anaemia. Vital signs are stable. The provided image was obtained as part of the diagnostic evaluation. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated, which of the following investigations is most crucial for determining the extent of disease spread, a key factor in guiding subsequent management decisions for this paediatric patient?
A 45-year-old male with a known history of Blue Rubber Bleb Naevus Syndrome, characterised by recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and multiple cutaneous vascular lesions, presents to the emergency department with acute onset severe, colicky abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. On examination, his abdomen is distended and diffusely tender with reduced bowel sounds. Vital signs are within normal limits. An urgent abdominal CT scan is performed. Based on the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the image, what is the most appropriate immediate next step in management?
A 62-year-old male presents to the emergency department complaining of left lower quadrant abdominal pain for the past three days. He describes the pain as constant and sharp, rating it an 8 out of 10. He also reports nausea, decreased appetite, and subjective fevers. His past medical history is significant for hypertension and hyperlipidemia, both well-controlled with medications. He denies any recent travel or sick contacts. On physical examination, his abdomen is tender to palpation in the left lower quadrant with guarding. Bowel sounds are present but diminished. The remainder of his examination is unremarkable. His vital signs are: Temperature 38.2°C, Heart Rate 98 bpm, Blood Pressure 140/90 mmHg, Respiratory Rate 18 breaths per minute, and Oxygen Saturation 98% on room air. Laboratory results show a white blood cell count of 14,000/µL with a neutrophilic predominance. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast is performed, and a representative image is shown. Assuming the patient has no allergies, what is the MOST appropriate initial management strategy?
A 63-year-old man presents with iron deficiency anemia. The provided CT was performed. What is the MOST likely cause of his anemia?
A 58-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes presents with severe RUQ pain, fever, and vomiting for 3 days. The provided CT was performed. What is the MOST appropriate initial management strategy?
A 68-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset of left-sided hemianopia and mild right-sided weakness. Her symptoms began approximately 4 hours prior to arrival. Initial neurological examination reveals intact language function and no cognitive deficits. A CT angiogram was performed, followed by endovascular coiling. The provided image shows a post-operative angiogram. Despite the intervention, the patient's hemianopia persists, and her weakness has slightly worsened. What is the MOST appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 4-year-old presents with abdominal distension and back pain for 2 months. Exam reveals a firm, fixed abdominal mass. Vitals are normal. An abdominal CT is performed (axial view shown). Which lab finding would MOST strongly support the suspected diagnosis?
A 72-year-old male presents to the ED with sudden onset shortness of breath and right-sided chest pain. He has a history of atrial fibrillation and has been taking warfarin for the past 5 years. His INR is currently 6.0. A CT scan of the chest is performed (image attached). What is the MOST appropriate initial management step?
A 32-year-old woman presents to the ED with acute lower abdominal pain. She reports nausea but denies fever or vaginal bleeding. Her last menstrual period was 3 weeks ago. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed, the relevant image is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 68-year-old male presents for a routine check-up. He has a history of smoking and hypertension, managed with lisinopril. He denies any abdominal pain, back pain, or lower extremity claudication. Physical exam is unremarkable. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen is performed, the axial view is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 72-year-old woman presents with a 3-month history of worsening constipation, occasional bright red rectal bleeding, and unintentional weight loss of 4 kg. She reports feeling increasingly tired. Her past medical history includes hypertension and osteoarthritis. On examination, her vital signs are stable. Abdominal examination is soft, non-tender, with no palpable masses. Digital rectal examination reveals no palpable lesion. Blood tests show a haemoglobin of 108 g/L, MCV 78 fL, and ferritin 12 µg/L. A colonoscopy was performed, and the image provided was captured during the procedure. Considering the clinical presentation and the finding observed during the colonoscopy, which of the following investigations is most crucial for determining the extent of disease and guiding definitive treatment planning within the multidisciplinary team framework?
A 65-year-old presents with 2 days of left lower quadrant pain, fever (38.5°C), and nausea. On examination, there is localised tenderness in the LLQ. Vitals: BP 130/80, HR 90, RR 16, SpO2 98%. CRP is 150 mg/L, WCC 18 x 10^9/L. This image is obtained as part of the workup. Based on the clinical presentation and imaging findings, what is the most appropriate initial management step?
A 70-year-old male undergoes a CT scan for investigation of chronic back pain. He is otherwise asymptomatic with stable vital signs. The image provided is an axial view from this scan. Based on this finding, what is the most appropriate next step in the patient's management according to current guidelines?
A 72-year-old patient presents with a 4-month history of tenesmus and occasional bright red rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy was performed, and a representative image is shown. Biopsies confirm adenocarcinoma. Considering the likely stage suggested by the endoscopic appearance, which investigation is MOST crucial for pre-operative staging?
A 63-year-old male presents with postprandial vomiting and persistent retrosternal discomfort. He reports feeling full quickly after eating only small amounts. An abdominal CT scan is performed, the axial view is shown. What is the MOST likely underlying mechanism contributing to this patient's symptoms?
A 32-year-old male presents to the emergency department complaining of intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting for the past 24 hours. He reports passing a small amount of blood in his stool this morning. He denies any fever or chills. His past medical history is significant for multiple cutaneous hemangiomas, which he has had since childhood. On physical examination, his abdomen is mildly distended and tender to palpation in the periumbilical region. Bowel sounds are hyperactive. The patient is hemodynamically stable. A CT scan of the abdomen is performed, the results of which are shown. Given the clinical presentation and imaging findings, what is the MOST appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 60-year-old female with a history of a posterior cerebral artery aneurysm presents for routine follow-up. Review the image. What is the MOST appropriate management?
A 72-year-old male presents with a 4-month history of increasing fatigue, anorexia, and a 10 kg weight loss. He reports occasional nausea but no vomiting or abdominal pain. His vital signs are stable. Physical examination reveals mild jaundice and palpable hepatomegaly. Blood tests show Hb 105 g/L, elevated AST/ALT, and a mildly raised bilirubin. An upper endoscopy showed a large gastric mass, with histology pending. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis was performed. Considering the clinical context and the findings on the provided imaging, what is the most likely implication for this patient's overall management strategy?
A 63-year-old man presents to the ED with increasing shortness of breath and epigastric discomfort, particularly after meals. He has a history of well-controlled hypertension and takes no regular medications. Physical examination reveals decreased breath sounds at the left lung base. An abdominal CT scan is performed, the axial view is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 3-year-old presents with abdominal distension and vague pain. Vitals are stable. An abdominal CT is performed (image attached). Elevated levels of HVA and VMA are noted in the urine. What is the MOST likely origin of the primary lesion?
A 45-year-old patient with a known history of multiple cutaneous vascular lesions presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of intermittent, colicky abdominal pain and nausea. They report chronic fatigue and have a history of iron deficiency anaemia requiring occasional transfusions. On physical examination, vital signs are stable (BP 120/80, HR 75, RR 16, Temp 36.8°C). There is mild diffuse abdominal tenderness without guarding or rebound. Cutaneous examination reveals multiple blue-purple papules and nodules scattered over the trunk and limbs. An abdominal CT scan is performed. Considering the patient's clinical presentation, known history, and the findings demonstrated in the provided image, what is the most appropriate initial management strategy?
A 28-year-old female presents to her general practitioner with a 6-month history of intermittent abdominal pain, predominantly in the right lower quadrant. She describes the pain as cramping and associated with occasional episodes of non-bloody diarrhea. She denies fever, weight loss, or recent travel. Her past medical history is significant for well-controlled asthma, for which she uses an inhaled corticosteroid as needed. Physical examination reveals mild tenderness to palpation in the right lower quadrant, but is otherwise unremarkable. Bowel sounds are normal. Initial laboratory investigations, including a complete blood count and comprehensive metabolic panel, are within normal limits. Stool studies for ova and parasites, bacterial culture, and Clostridium difficile toxin are negative. Given her persistent symptoms, the GP refers her for further evaluation. A CT enterography is performed, and relevant images are shown. Based on the clinical presentation and imaging findings, which of the following is the MOST likely long-term complication this patient is at increased risk of developing?
A 32-year-old woman presents to her general practitioner with a 6-month history of worsening dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain, particularly on the left side. She reports no fever, weight loss, or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Her last menstrual period was 2 weeks ago and was normal. Physical examination reveals mild left adnexal tenderness. A CT scan of the pelvis was performed, the relevant image is shown. Given the clinical context and the imaging findings, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 45-year-old woman presents to the ED with right upper quadrant pain, fever, and nausea for 24 hours. Her vital signs are: HR 110, BP 130/80, Temp 38.5°C. An abdominal CT scan is performed (image attached). What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 59-year-old lady with a past history of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension, and no smoking history, presents with a 3-month history of cough, blood-tinged sputum, night sweats, and a 5 kg weight loss. What are the most appropriate initial investigations for the likely diagnosis?
A 58-year-old male with a 15-year history of chronic hepatitis B infection and established cirrhosis presents for a routine surveillance appointment. He reports feeling generally well, with no significant weight loss, abdominal pain, or jaundice. He denies alcohol use. On examination, his vital signs are stable. He has mild palmar erythema but no ascites or peripheral oedema. Liver span is normal. Recent blood tests show platelet count 120 x 10^9/L, albumin 35 g/L, INR 1.2, total bilirubin 20 µmol/L, ALT 40 U/L, AST 55 U/L, creatinine 80 µmol/L. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has risen from 50 µg/L six months ago to 450 µg/L today. A triphasic CT scan of the abdomen was performed as part of the surveillance protocol, axial views of which are provided. Considering the patient's clinical history, laboratory trends, and the findings demonstrated on the provided imaging, which of the following represents the MOST appropriate immediate next step in the management of this patient?
A 35-year-old male presents with hemoptysis and weight loss. PET-CT is shown. Bronchoscopy with biopsy is MOST likely to reveal which of the following?
A 68-year-old male presents to the ED with left lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed. Based on the image, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 55-year-old male presents with LLQ pain, fever, and increased WBC. A CT scan is performed. He is hemodynamically stable. Based on the image, which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial management strategy?
A 65-year-old male presents with a 3-month history of unintentional weight loss and epigastric discomfort. Endoscopy revealed a gastric mass, and biopsy confirmed a mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma. Staging imaging is shown. His ECOG performance status is 1. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the provided images, what is the most appropriate initial management strategy for this patient?
An 80-year-old male with a history of smoking and hypertension presents to his GP with mild, intermittent lower back pain. Physical examination is unremarkable. Routine blood tests are normal. A CT scan of the abdomen is performed to investigate the back pain. Considering the findings demonstrated in the provided image in the context of this patient's presentation, what is the most appropriate next step in management?
A 68-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset of left-sided hemianopia and mild right-sided weakness. Her symptoms began approximately 4 hours prior to arrival. Initial neurological examination reveals a left homonymous hemianopia, mild right hemiparesis (4/5 strength), and intact sensation. A CT angiogram was performed, and the patient underwent endovascular coiling. The image shows a follow-up angiogram post-procedure. Despite the intervention, the patient's left homonymous hemianopia persists, and her right hemiparesis has not improved. What is the MOST appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 65-year-old man presents to his GP with a 2-day history of constant, dull aching pain in the left lower quadrant of his abdomen. He reports mild nausea but no vomiting. His bowel movements have been normal. He denies fever or chills. His past medical history includes well-controlled hypertension. On examination, he is afebrile (37.2°C), blood pressure is 135/85 mmHg, heart rate 72 bpm, respiratory rate 16 bpm. Abdominal examination reveals mild tenderness on deep palpation in the left iliac fossa, without guarding or rebound tenderness. Bowel sounds are normal. Digital rectal examination is unremarkable. Laboratory investigations show a white cell count of 10.5 x 10^9/L (normal range 4-11) and a C-reactive protein of 25 mg/L (normal <5). A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed (image provided). Considering the patient's clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the provided image, which of the following represents the most appropriate initial management strategy?
A 68-year-old male presents to the ED with left lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed. Based on the imaging, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 70-year-old male undergoes a CT scan for investigation of chronic back pain. He denies abdominal pain or pulsatile mass. His blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg. The provided image is an axial view from this scan. Based on this finding and the patient's clinical status, what is the most appropriate next step in management according to Australian guidelines?
A 68-year-old male presents with fatigue, weight loss, and vague abdominal discomfort. His past medical history includes a recent diagnosis of gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC). A CT scan of the abdomen is performed, the results of which are shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 68-year-old male presents with fatigue, weight loss, and vague abdominal discomfort. His past medical history is significant for a recently diagnosed gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC). A CT scan of the abdomen is performed. Based on the imaging, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 68-year-old male presents to the emergency department complaining of acute onset shortness of breath and right-sided chest pain. He reports that the pain started suddenly this morning and has been gradually worsening. He has a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, for which he takes warfarin. He denies any recent trauma or injury. On examination, his vital signs are: heart rate 115 bpm, blood pressure 95/60 mmHg, respiratory rate 30 breaths per minute, oxygen saturation 87% on room air. Auscultation reveals decreased breath sounds on the right side. The patient appears pale and is diaphoretic. His INR is 6.5. A CT scan of the chest is performed, and the relevant image is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 65-year-old male presents with a 2-month history of fatigue, poor appetite, and 5kg weight loss. He reports mild upper abdominal discomfort. Physical examination is unremarkable. Initial blood tests show mild anaemia. An upper endoscopy revealed a suspicious gastric lesion, with biopsy results pending. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis was performed. Given the clinical presentation and the findings on the provided imaging, which of the following statements regarding this patient's likely prognosis and management is most accurate?
A 68-year-old male presents to the ED with left lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed. Based on the imaging, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 32-year-old woman presents with pelvic pain and bloating. Her periods are regular. An abdominal CT scan is performed. Based on the image, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 72-year-old man with a history of hypertension and smoking presents to his GP with mild, intermittent abdominal discomfort. His vital signs are stable, and abdominal examination is soft and non-tender. As part of the workup, a contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed. The provided image is an axial view from this study. Based on the clinical context and the findings in the provided image, what is the most appropriate next step in this patient's management?
A 45-year-old patient with a long history of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and multiple cutaneous vascular lesions presents with acute onset severe abdominal pain, nausea, and distension. Physical examination reveals a distended, mildly tender abdomen. Bowel sounds are reduced. Vital signs are stable. Imaging is performed. Considering the patient's presentation and the findings demonstrated in the image, which of the following represents the most appropriate initial management approach?
A 65-year-old male presents with acute LLQ pain. The provided image was obtained. What dietary advice is most appropriate upon resolution of acute symptoms?
A 68-year-old male presents to the emergency department with a 12-hour history of severe, constant left groin pain. He reports a bulge in his groin that has been present for several years, which he can usually reduce himself. However, today he has been unable to push it back in, and the pain has become excruciating. He denies any fever, nausea, or vomiting. On examination, his vital signs are stable: temperature 37.0°C, heart rate 88 bpm, blood pressure 130/80 mmHg, respiratory rate 16 breaths/min, and oxygen saturation 98% on room air. Abdominal examination is unremarkable. Palpation of the left groin reveals a firm, tender mass that is non-reducible. The overlying skin is erythematous, but there is no crepitus. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed, and an axial slice is shown. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the image, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 63-year-old man presents to his GP with a 6-month history of intermittent postprandial fullness and mild dysphagia, particularly with solid foods. He reports occasional regurgitation but denies significant heartburn or chest pain. His vital signs are stable, and physical examination is unremarkable. Recent blood tests show mild iron deficiency anaemia. The provided image is from a CT scan of the chest and upper abdomen performed as part of his investigation. Considering the clinical presentation and the significant anatomical finding demonstrated in the image, what is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?