NEET PG Radiology Syllabus

Radiology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Radiology in NEET PG, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Radiology

   2 topics

   • History of radiology
     • Evolution of imaging techniques and modalities
   • Basics of radiological physics
     • X-ray production
     • Interactions of X-rays with matter
     • Radiation safety
2. 2

   Radiological Anatomy

   3 topics

   • Radiological anatomy of the chest
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the lungs
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the mediastinum
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the pleura
   • Radiological anatomy of the abdomen
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the liver
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the spleen
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the pancreas
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the kidneys
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the urinary tract
   • Radiological anatomy of the musculoskeletal system
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the bones
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the joints
     • Normal radiographic anatomy of the soft tissues
3. 3

   Diagnostic Radiography

   3 topics

   • Chest Radiography
     • Technique
     • Positioning (Posteroanterior, Lateral, and Oblique Views)
     • Interpretation of Common Findings (Pneumonia, Pneumothorax, Pleural Effusion)
   • Abdominal Radiography
     • Technique
     • Positioning (Supine, Upright, and Decubitus Views)
     • Interpretation of Common Findings (Intestinal Obstruction, Bowel Perforation, Renal Calculi)
   • Skeletal Radiography
     • Technique
     • Positioning (Anteroposterior, Lateral, and Oblique Views)
     • Interpretation of Common Findings (Fractures, Dislocations, Osteoarthritis)
4. 4

   Fluoroscopy

   2 topics

   • Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series
     • Technique
     • Indications
     • Interpretation of barium swallow studies for evaluation of esophageal and gastric pathology
   • Barium enema
     • Technique
     • Indications
     • Interpretation of barium enema studies for evaluation of colorectal pathology
5. 5

   Computed Tomography (CT)

   3 topics

   • Principles of CT imaging
     • Generation of CT images
     • Contrast enhancement
     • Multiplanar reconstruction
   • CT of the head
     • Indications
     • Protocols (non-contrast, contrast-enhanced)
     • Interpretation of findings (intracranial hemorrhage, brain tumors, stroke)
   • CT of the chest and abdomen
     • Indications
     • Protocols (contrast-enhanced, multiphase)
     • Interpretation of findings (pulmonary embolism, solid organ injuries, abdominal masses)
6. 6

   Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

   3 topics

   • Principles of MRI imaging
     • Generation of MRI images
     • Tissue contrast
     • Pulse sequences (T1-weighted, T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted)
   • MRI of the brain and spine
     • Indications
     • Protocols (with and without contrast)
     • Interpretation of findings (brain tumors, spinal cord compression, multiple sclerosis)
   • MRI of the musculoskeletal system
     • Indications
     • Protocols (with and without contrast)
     • Interpretation of findings (ligamentous injuries, soft tissue tumors, osteomyelitis)
7. 7

   Ultrasound Imaging

   3 topics

   • Principles of ultrasound imaging
     • Generation of ultrasound images
     • Transducer types
     • Doppler imaging
   • Abdominal ultrasound
     • Indications
     • Techniques (transabdominal, transvaginal)
     • Interpretation of findings (liver cysts, gallstones, renal calculi)
   • Obstetric ultrasound
     • Indications
     • Techniques (transabdominal, transvaginal)
     • Interpretation of findings (fetal anatomy, placental abnormalities)
8. 8

   Principles of nuclear medicine imaging

   3 topics

   • Radiopharmaceuticals
   • Gamma cameras
   • Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
9. 9

   Interventional Radiology

   2 topics

   • Image-guided procedures
     • Percutaneous biopsies
     • Drainages
     • Catheter-based interventions
   • Minimally invasive therapies
     • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for tumor treatment
     • Microwave ablation for tumor treatment
     • Cryoablation for tumor treatment
10. 10

    Radiation Oncology

    2 topics

    • Principles of radiation therapy
      • External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
      • Brachytherapy
      • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
    • Planning and delivery of radiation therapy
      • Treatment planning techniques (CT simulation, treatment planning software)
      • Radiation delivery methods (linear accelerators, gamma knife)

Radiology flashcards for NEET PG

21 of 51 cards from the Radiology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Who discovered X-rays, in what year, and what did he name the phenomenon?

   Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays in 1895; he called them 'X' rays because their nature was unknown. He received the first Nobel Prize in Physics (1901).

2. What is the photoelectric effect in diagnostic radiology, and why is it important for image contrast?

   A photon is fully absorbed by ejecting an inner-shell electron. Its probability is proportional to Z³/E³, so it greatly increases contrast between tissues of different atomic number (e.g., bone vs soft tissue) and is the basis of bone/iodine/barium contrast.

3. What is Compton scatter, and how does it affect a diagnostic radiograph?

   An incident photon ejects an outer-shell electron and is deflected (scattered) with reduced energy. It is the main interaction at higher diagnostic energies, is largely independent of atomic number, and degrades image contrast by adding noise/fog.

4. In an X-ray tube, what do kVp and mAs each control?

   kVp (peak kilovoltage) controls the energy/penetrating power of the beam and thus contrast. mAs (milliampere-seconds) controls the quantity of photons produced and thus image density/exposure (and patient dose).

5. What is the inverse square law in radiology and its formula?

   Radiation intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source: I₁/I₂ = (d₂)²/(d₁)². Doubling the distance reduces intensity to one-quarter.

6. List the five basic radiographic densities from most radiolucent (black) to most radiopaque (white).

   From black to white: air (gas), fat, soft tissue/water, bone (calcium), and metal/contrast media.

7. What is a half-value layer (HVL)?

   The thickness of a specified material (commonly aluminium) required to reduce the intensity of an X-ray beam to one-half its original value. It is a measure of beam quality/penetration.

8. On a normal frontal chest radiograph, what structures form the right and left mediastinal/heart borders?

   Right border (top to bottom): SVC and ascending aorta, then right atrium. Left border: aortic knob, main pulmonary artery, left atrial appendage, then left ventricle.

9. What are the silhouette sign and its diagnostic value on a chest X-ray?

   Loss of a normal border between two structures of the same radiographic density indicates they are in contact/the same plane. E.g., loss of the right heart border localises disease to the right middle lobe; loss of the left heart border localises it to the lingula.

10. How are the lung fissures (oblique/major and horizontal/minor) seen on a chest radiograph?

    The horizontal (minor) fissure is seen on the frontal view at about the level of the right 4th rib, separating right upper from middle lobe. The oblique (major) fissures are best seen on the lateral view, separating upper from lower lobes (and middle from lower on the right).

11. On an abdominal radiograph, what are the normal upper limits of bowel diameter for small bowel, colon, and caecum (the 3-6-9 rule)?

    Small bowel up to 3 cm, colon up to 6 cm, and caecum up to 9 cm. Diameters above these suggest obstruction or dilatation.

12. How do you distinguish small bowel from large bowel on a plain abdominal film?

    Small bowel is central, has valvulae conniventes (lines crossing the full lumen width), and is narrower. Large bowel is peripheral, has haustra (incomplete folds that do not cross the full width), is wider, and may contain faeces.

13. What plain-film signs suggest pneumoperitoneum (free intraperitoneal air)?

    Air under the diaphragm on an erect chest/abdomen film, Rigler's sign (gas on both sides of the bowel wall), the football sign, and visualisation of the falciform ligament on a supine film.

14. On a skeletal radiograph, what are the named regions of a long bone (proximal to articular surface)?

    Diaphysis (shaft), metaphysis (flared region near the end), physis (growth plate in children), and epiphysis (end, between physis and joint). The cortex is dense outer bone; the medulla contains trabecular bone/marrow.

15. What is Wolff's law in skeletal radiology?

    Bone remodels in response to the mechanical stresses placed on it: bone is laid down where stress is high and resorbed where it is low. This explains trabecular orientation and stress-related bone changes.

16. What standard projections make up a routine chest radiograph series, and which is preferred and why?

    PA (posteroanterior) erect at full inspiration is preferred because it minimises cardiac magnification (heart close to the detector) and shows lung detail well; a lateral view is added. AP/supine is used only when the patient cannot stand.

17. How is rotation assessed on a frontal chest radiograph?

    The medial ends of both clavicles should be equidistant from the spinous process of the adjacent thoracic vertebra. Asymmetry indicates rotation, which can distort mediastinal width and cardiac silhouette.

18. What counts as adequate inspiration on a PA chest radiograph?

    The diaphragm should lie at the level of the posterior 9th-10th rib or the anterior 5th-6th rib. Poor inspiration crowds vascular markings and falsely widens the heart.

19. What is the standard projection for an erect abdominal radiograph and what is it best for?

    An erect AP abdominal film (or erect chest) demonstrates air-fluid levels in obstruction and free air under the diaphragm. The supine AP (KUB) film is the standard plain abdominal view for bowel gas pattern, masses, and calcifications.

20. What is the Salter-Harris classification used for, and what does each type describe?

    It classifies physeal (growth-plate) fractures in children. I = through physis; II = physis + metaphysis (commonest); III = physis + epiphysis; IV = metaphysis + physis + epiphysis; V = crush of the physis. Mnemonic SALTR: Slipped, Above, Lower, Through, Rammed.

21. In an upper GI (barium) series, what contrast agents are used and when is water-soluble contrast preferred over barium?

    Barium sulphate gives the best mucosal detail. A water-soluble agent (e.g., Gastrografin) is used when perforation is suspected, because extravasated barium causes severe peritonitis/mediastinitis.

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