AB-Abdomen Exam Questions and Answers

QUESTION: 9

Which structures are located within the testes?

Gubernacula
Efferent ductules
Aberrant ductules
Seminiferous tubules

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The seminiferous tubules are coiled structures located within the testes where spermatogenesis (sperm production) occurs. They are surrounded by Sertoli and Leydig cells that support spermatogenesis and testosterone production.

Gubernacula (A) are fetal structures involved in testicular descent.

Efferent ductules (B) connect the rete testis to the epididymis but are not located within the testicular parenchyma.

Aberrant ductules (C) are accessory ducts found outside the testis.

Reference Extracts:

Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AM. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 7th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2013.

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.

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QUESTION: 10

Which condition is most likely to develop after splenic trauma?

Splenule
Splenosis
Hamartoma
Target lesion

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Splenosis refers to autotransplantation of splenic tissue following splenic trauma or splenectomy. After rupture, splenic fragments may implant throughout the peritoneal cavity and vascularize, forming multiple nodules of functional splenic tissue. Splenosis is typically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging.

Splenule (A) is a congenital accessory spleen, not related to trauma.

Hamartoma (C) is a benign primary splenic lesion.

Target lesion (D) generally refers to sonographic appearance seen in metastases or infections, not post-trauma.

Reference Extracts:

Mortelé KJ, et al. "Multimodality imaging of splenic lesions and the spleen." Radiographics.
2004;24(4):1137-1163.

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.

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QUESTION: 11

Which of the following is a possible early complication of a renal transplant?

Ureterocele
Acute tubular necrosis
Transplant artery stenosis
Transitional cell carcinoma

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is the most common cause of early graft dysfunction following renal transplantation. It results from ischemia-reperfusion injury during the transplantation process. Ultrasound findings may be nonspecific but Doppler may show elevated resistive indices.

Ureterocele (A) is a congenital anomaly.

Transplant artery stenosis (C) is a late complication.

Transitional cell carcinoma (D) is rare and not typically an early complication.

Reference Extracts:

Middleton WD, Kurtz AB, Hertzberg BS. Ultrasound: The Requisites. 3rd ed. Elsevier, 2015.

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.

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QUESTION: 12

Which condition is characterized by abnormal dilatation of veins of the pampiniform plexus and most commonly affects the left testicle?

Hydrocele
Varicocele
Hematocele
Spermatocele

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

A varicocele is an abnormal dilatation of the pampiniform plexus veins, usually seen on the left side due to the perpendicular insertion of the left testicular vein into the left renal vein, making it more susceptible to elevated venous pressure. Sonographically, varicoceles appear as multiple serpiginous anechoic tubular structures that show venous flow on color Doppler, often accentuated with Valsalva maneuver.

Hydrocele (A) is a fluid collection surrounding the testis.

Hematocele (C) is blood within the tunica vaginalis.

Spermatocele (D) is a cystic lesion arising from the epididymis.

Reference Extracts:

Dogra VS, Bhatt S. "Sonographic evaluation of testicular varicoceles." Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2004;23(6): 829-838.

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.

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QUESTION: 13

Where is the most common location for a branchial cyst in relation to the thyroid?

Lateral
Medial
Anterior
Posterior

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Branchial cleft cysts are congenital epithelial cysts that typically occur laterally in the neck, often anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and lateral to the thyroid gland. The second branchial cleft cyst is the most common type and is found in the lateral neck region.

Medial (B) would be more consistent with thyroglossal duct cysts.

Anterior (C) or posterior (D) do not specifically describe branchial cyst location relative to the thyroid.

Reference Extracts:

Som PM, Curtin HD. Head and Neck Imaging. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2011.

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.

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QUESTION: 14

Which vascular condition is most consistent with patent cutaneous para-umbilical channels and portal hypertension?

Caput medusae
Esophageal varices
Coronary vein varices
Splenic vein varices

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Caput medusae refers to dilated paraumbilical veins due to portal hypertension.
When portal venous pressure rises, collateral channels may open along the ligamentum teres and recanalized paraumbilical vein, resulting in visible dilated veins radiating from the umbilicus.

Esophageal varices (B) are gastroesophageal collaterals.

Coronary vein varices (C) involve gastric veins.

Splenic vein varices (D) are typically localized to the splenic hilum.

Reference Extracts:

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.

Gore RM, Levine MS. Textbook of Gastrointestinal Radiology. 4th ed. Saunders, 2015.

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QUESTION: 15

What is a major advantage of power Doppler over color flow Doppler?

Decreased sensitivity to motion artifacts
Doppler angle independent
Improved signal-to-noise ratio
Ease of determining flow direction

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Power Doppler measures the amplitude (strength) of Doppler signals rather than frequency shift, making it more sensitive to low-velocity and small-vessel blood flow. Its primary advantage is an improved signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for better visualization of slow or weak flow.

A: Power Doppler is more sensitive to motion artifacts, not less.

B: It is still angle dependent, though somewhat less so than color Doppler.

D: Power Doppler does not display flow direction (a limitation).

Reference Extracts:

Kremkau FW. Sonography Principles and Instruments. 9th ed. Elsevier, 2015.

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.

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QUESTION: 16

Which of the following must be sterile for a percutaneous procedure?

Transducer
Machine controls
Transducer cover
Gel within transducer cover

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

In percutaneous procedures such as biopsies or drainages, maintaining a sterile field is critical to avoid introducing infection.
While the transducer is covered by a sterile cover, the gel placed inside this cover (between the probe and the cover) must also be sterile, as it contacts the sterile field. The transducer itself and machine controls are not sterile but are handled appropriately to avoid field contamination.

According to the AIUM Guidelines:

"Sterile coupling gel must be used inside the sterile probe cover during all invasive or percutaneous procedures." (AIUM Guidelines for Cleaning and Preparing Ultrasound Transducers, 2021).

Reference:

AIUM Guidelines for Cleaning and Preparing Ultrasound Transducers and Equipment for Reuse, 2021.

ACR Practice Parameter for Performing Ultrasound-Guided Procedures, 2020.

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ARDMS AB-Abdomen Exam (page: 2) ARDMS Abdomen Sonographyination Updated on: 12-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 9

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QUESTION: 10

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QUESTION: 11

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QUESTION: 12

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QUESTION: 13

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QUESTION: 14

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QUESTION: 15

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QUESTION: 16

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Reference:

ARDMS AB-Abdomen Exam (page: 2)
ARDMS Abdomen Sonographyination
Updated on: 12-Feb-2026