Michigan Radiology Specialist Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which imaging modality is most sensitive for detecting early ischemic
changes in acute stroke within the first 6 hours?
A. CT with contrast
B. MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging
C. Ultrasound Doppler
D. PET scan
MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging is most sensitive for early
ischemic changes because it detects cellular water movement
restriction that occurs within minutes of infarction.
2. What is the primary indication for using a CT pulmonary angiogram?
A. Suspected pneumothorax
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease evaluation
C. Suspected pulmonary embolism
D. Pleural effusion quantification
A CT pulmonary angiogram is the imaging study of choice for
evaluating suspected pulmonary embolism due to its high sensitivity
and specificity for filling defects in pulmonary arteries.
3. In mammography, what view is best for visualizing the retroareolar
region?
A. Mediolateral oblique (MLO)
B. Cranio-caudal (CC)
C. Lateral decubitus
D. Subcostal
The cranio-caudal (CC) view provides the best visualization of the
, retroareolar region by projecting the breast tissue from medial to
lateral.
4. Which contrast agent is contraindicated in patients with severe renal
insufficiency due to risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis?
A. Barium sulfate
B. Gadolinium-based agents
C. Iodinated contrast
D. Air
Gadolinium-based contrast agents are associated with nephrogenic
systemic fibrosis in patients with severe renal impairment and should
be avoided.
5. What is the appropriate window setting for evaluating lung
parenchyma on CT?
A. Bone window
B. Abdominal soft tissue window
C. Lung window
D. Cardiac window
The lung window setting on CT is optimized to display lung
parenchyma detail, allowing better visualization of airways and
interstitial lung disease.
6. In ultrasound imaging, increasing the frequency of the transducer
results in:
A. Increased penetration and decreased resolution
B. Increased resolution and decreased penetration
C. No change
D. Improved color Doppler sensitivity only
Higher frequency ultrasound waves improve image resolution but
decrease tissue penetration due to increased attenuation.
7. What is the ALARA principle in radiology?
A. As Low As Reasonably Achievable
B. Always Limit All Radiation Amounts
C. A Little Additional Radiation Acceptable
D. As Low As Readily Achievable
The ALARA principle stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable,”
, emphasizing minimizing radiation exposure while obtaining
diagnostic quality images.
8. What is the hallmark radiographic finding of osteoarthritis?
A. Joint effusion
B. Joint space narrowing
C. Periosteal reaction
D. Soft tissue calcification
Joint space narrowing is a key radiographic feature of osteoarthritis
due to cartilage loss.
9. Which of the following best defines “contrast extravasation” on
imaging?
A. Contrast remains within the vessel
B. Leakage of contrast outside the vascular lumen
C. Contrast enhancement of parenchymal organs
D. Delayed contrast washout
Contrast extravasation refers to the leakage of contrast material
from blood vessels into surrounding tissues due to vessel injury.
10. What imaging finding is most characteristic of a simple renal cyst
on ultrasound?
A. Anechoic center with posterior acoustic enhancement
B. Hyperechoic solid mass
C. Irregular septations
D. Calcified wall
Simple renal cysts on ultrasound are anechoic with posterior acoustic
enhancement and thin walls.
11. What is the best initial imaging modality for suspected acute
appendicitis in an adult?
A. MRI
B. CT abdomen with contrast
C. Abdominal X-ray
D. PET scan
CT abdomen with contrast is the best initial modality in adults for
diagnosing acute appendicitis due to high sensitivity and specificity.
12. Which pathology is best diagnosed with Hounsfield unit
measurements on CT?
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which imaging modality is most sensitive for detecting early ischemic
changes in acute stroke within the first 6 hours?
A. CT with contrast
B. MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging
C. Ultrasound Doppler
D. PET scan
MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging is most sensitive for early
ischemic changes because it detects cellular water movement
restriction that occurs within minutes of infarction.
2. What is the primary indication for using a CT pulmonary angiogram?
A. Suspected pneumothorax
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease evaluation
C. Suspected pulmonary embolism
D. Pleural effusion quantification
A CT pulmonary angiogram is the imaging study of choice for
evaluating suspected pulmonary embolism due to its high sensitivity
and specificity for filling defects in pulmonary arteries.
3. In mammography, what view is best for visualizing the retroareolar
region?
A. Mediolateral oblique (MLO)
B. Cranio-caudal (CC)
C. Lateral decubitus
D. Subcostal
The cranio-caudal (CC) view provides the best visualization of the
, retroareolar region by projecting the breast tissue from medial to
lateral.
4. Which contrast agent is contraindicated in patients with severe renal
insufficiency due to risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis?
A. Barium sulfate
B. Gadolinium-based agents
C. Iodinated contrast
D. Air
Gadolinium-based contrast agents are associated with nephrogenic
systemic fibrosis in patients with severe renal impairment and should
be avoided.
5. What is the appropriate window setting for evaluating lung
parenchyma on CT?
A. Bone window
B. Abdominal soft tissue window
C. Lung window
D. Cardiac window
The lung window setting on CT is optimized to display lung
parenchyma detail, allowing better visualization of airways and
interstitial lung disease.
6. In ultrasound imaging, increasing the frequency of the transducer
results in:
A. Increased penetration and decreased resolution
B. Increased resolution and decreased penetration
C. No change
D. Improved color Doppler sensitivity only
Higher frequency ultrasound waves improve image resolution but
decrease tissue penetration due to increased attenuation.
7. What is the ALARA principle in radiology?
A. As Low As Reasonably Achievable
B. Always Limit All Radiation Amounts
C. A Little Additional Radiation Acceptable
D. As Low As Readily Achievable
The ALARA principle stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable,”
, emphasizing minimizing radiation exposure while obtaining
diagnostic quality images.
8. What is the hallmark radiographic finding of osteoarthritis?
A. Joint effusion
B. Joint space narrowing
C. Periosteal reaction
D. Soft tissue calcification
Joint space narrowing is a key radiographic feature of osteoarthritis
due to cartilage loss.
9. Which of the following best defines “contrast extravasation” on
imaging?
A. Contrast remains within the vessel
B. Leakage of contrast outside the vascular lumen
C. Contrast enhancement of parenchymal organs
D. Delayed contrast washout
Contrast extravasation refers to the leakage of contrast material
from blood vessels into surrounding tissues due to vessel injury.
10. What imaging finding is most characteristic of a simple renal cyst
on ultrasound?
A. Anechoic center with posterior acoustic enhancement
B. Hyperechoic solid mass
C. Irregular septations
D. Calcified wall
Simple renal cysts on ultrasound are anechoic with posterior acoustic
enhancement and thin walls.
11. What is the best initial imaging modality for suspected acute
appendicitis in an adult?
A. MRI
B. CT abdomen with contrast
C. Abdominal X-ray
D. PET scan
CT abdomen with contrast is the best initial modality in adults for
diagnosing acute appendicitis due to high sensitivity and specificity.
12. Which pathology is best diagnosed with Hounsfield unit
measurements on CT?
