Chest imaging: diaphragmatic eventration: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Chest imaging: diaphragmatic eventration

Sample item

An asymptomatic adult has an elevated, smooth, intact right hemidiaphragm on a chest film and fluoroscopy shows paradoxical movement. What is the likely diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Eventration of the diaphragm

In eventration, a thin attenuated muscular part of the diaphragm is elevated while the structure remains intact, so abdominal contents push it up smoothly. Phrenic nerve palsy gives a similar picture with paradoxical movement on sniffing.

Option by option

  • A. Eventration of the diaphragm (correct)

    Correct. A smooth elevated intact hemidiaphragm suggests eventration.

  • B. Pleural effusion

    An effusion would obscure the diaphragm contour.

  • C. Pulmonary embolism

    Pulmonary embolism does not typically produce an isolated asymptomatic elevated diaphragm.

  • D. Tension pneumothorax

    Tension pneumothorax depresses the hemidiaphragm.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Eventration of the diaphragm. In eventration, a thin attenuated muscular part of the diaphragm is elevated while the structure remains intact, so abdominal contents push it up smoothly.

Why is "Pleural effusion" not the answer?

An effusion would obscure the diaphragm contour.

Why is "Pulmonary embolism" not the answer?

Pulmonary embolism does not typically produce an isolated asymptomatic elevated diaphragm.

Why is "Tension pneumothorax" not the answer?

Tension pneumothorax depresses the hemidiaphragm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: diaphragmatic eventration in Radiology. Phrenic nerve palsy gives a similar picture with paradoxical movement on sniffing.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Chest imaging: diaphragmatic eventration?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.