INICET Radiology Previous Year Questions (2018–2026)

The correct answer is 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a.

Each condition has a characteristic investigation of choice. A pancreatic pseudocyst is best shown by contrast-enhanced CT (d), defining the cyst wall, size and relations. Obstructive jaundice is mapped non-invasively by MRCP (c), the best test for the level and cause of biliary obstruction. A thyroid nodule is evaluated by FNAC (b), the single best test to separate benign from malignant nodules. Prostate carcinoma is staged with PSMA-PET (a), which detects nodal and metastatic disease with high sensitivity. This gives 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a.

The discriminators: CT for the pseudocyst, MRCP for the biliary tree, FNAC (tissue) for the thyroid, and the molecular PSMA-PET for prostate cancer.

Incorrect Options:

• 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b: wrongly gives MRCP to the pseudocyst and PSMA-PET to the thyroid nodule.
• 1-d, 2-b, 3-a, 4-c: FNAC does not assess obstructive jaundice and MRCP is not used for prostate cancer.
• 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d: mismatches nearly every pair, including CT for prostate carcinoma.

High-Yield Facts:

• CT is the investigation of choice for a pancreatic pseudocyst.
• MRCP is best for obstructive jaundice.
• FNAC is the test for a thyroid nodule.
• PSMA-PET stages prostate carcinoma.

Figure: MRCP showing biliary calculi - MRCP is the non-invasive investigation of choice for obstructive jaundice.

The correct answer is 1, 2, 3 and 4 all are correct.

ACR Group II gadolinium agents are the macrocyclic chelates (gadobutrol, gadoterate, gadoteridol) plus gadobenate. They are associated with very few, if any, unconfounded cases of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) - the risk is roughly 0 to 0.07 percent even at an eGFR below 30. Because the risk is so low, the ACR states that checking renal function before a standard dose is optional, not required, and these agents are safe across all renal function categories. Therefore all four patients - including those without a renal function test and the one with a GFR below 50 - can safely receive a Group II agent.

This contrasts with the older Group I (linear) agents, which carry the real NSF risk and are restricted in renal impairment. The key point is that Group II safety does not depend on knowing the GFR.

Incorrect Options:

• Only 1 is correct: far too restrictive - Group II agents are safe in all four scenarios.
• 1 and 2 are correct: wrongly excludes the older patient and the one with reduced GFR.
• 1, 2 and 3 are correct: wrongly excludes the patient with GFR below 50, who can still receive a Group II agent.

High-Yield Facts:

• Group II GBCAs (macrocyclic) carry negligible NSF risk.
• Renal function screening before a standard dose is optional for Group II.
• Group II agents are safe even at low GFR or on dialysis.
• Group I (linear) agents carry the real NSF risk and are restricted.

Figure: Gadobutrol, an ACR Group II macrocyclic gadolinium agent. The stable macrocyclic cage gives a negligible NSF risk, so it is safe regardless of renal function.

The correct answer is No imaging investigation is needed.

This is an uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (a common cold), which is a clinical diagnosis. With no wheeze and a normal chest examination, there is nothing to suggest lower respiratory tract involvement, so chest imaging would be normal and would not change management. Guidelines advise against routine chest radiography in uncomplicated respiratory infections, especially in children, to avoid unnecessary radiation.

Imaging is reserved for red flags - persistent high fever, respiratory distress, focal chest signs, or suspected pneumonia or a foreign body. None of these are present here, so no imaging is required.

Incorrect Options:

• CXR PA view: not indicated in an uncomplicated URTI with a normal chest examination.
• HRCT Thorax: high radiation, reserved for specific parenchymal or interstitial disease, not a simple cold.
• CE-CT Thorax: contrast CT is far too much for a self-limiting viral URTI.

High-Yield Facts:

• Uncomplicated URTI is a clinical diagnosis needing no imaging.
• Avoid unnecessary radiation, especially in children.
• Image only for red flags or suspected pneumonia.
• A normal chest exam argues against lower respiratory disease.

Figure: A normal chest radiograph. In an uncomplicated URTI with a normal chest exam, imaging would look like this and adds nothing - so it is not indicated.