Practice Test Geeks(ARRT) American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Computed Tomography Certification Practice Test
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Pathology Recognition Flashcards

7 cards from real ARRT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Pathology Recognition flashcards as text

  1. A CT of the chest shows a 2.5 cm solitary pulmonary nodule with central 'popcorn' calcification. What is the most likely diagnosis?

    Answer: Hamartoma

    Popcorn calcification within a pulmonary nodule is characteristic of a pulmonary hamartoma.

  2. On CT pulmonary angiography, a saddle embolus is identified. Where is this embolus located?

    Answer: Straddling the main pulmonary artery bifurcation

    A saddle embolus straddles the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery, occluding both left and right pulmonary arteries.

  3. A CT abdomen reveals a liver lesion that is hypodense on non-contrast, enhances intensely on arterial phase, and becomes isodense to liver on portal venous phase. This pattern is most consistent with:

    Answer: Hepatocellular carcinoma

    Arterial hyperenhancement with washout on portal venous phase is the classic CT hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma.

  4. Which CT finding is most characteristic of acute mesenteric ischemia due to superior mesenteric artery occlusion?

    Answer: Pneumatosis intestinalis

    Pneumatosis intestinalis (gas within the bowel wall) indicates bowel infarction and is a hallmark of severe mesenteric ischemia.

  5. A CT head without contrast shows a hyperdense crescent-shaped collection along the inner table of the skull. This is most consistent with:

    Answer: Acute subdural hematoma

    Acute subdural hematomas appear as hyperdense crescent-shaped collections that conform to the brain surface and cross suture lines.

  6. On CT urography, a urothelial carcinoma of the ureter would most likely appear as:

    Answer: Intraluminal filling defect with upstream hydronephrosis

    Urothelial carcinoma typically presents as an intraluminal filling defect causing partial or complete obstruction with upstream hydronephrosis.

  7. Which CT finding helps differentiate a retroperitoneal hematoma from a retroperitoneal abscess?

    Answer: Hyperdense content on non-contrast CT

    Acute hematomas appear hyperdense (50–70 HU) on non-contrast CT due to clotted blood, distinguishing them from fluid collections.