Chest imaging: pectus excavatum: 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: pectus excavatum

Sample item

A chest radiograph shows loss of the right heart border, leftward displacement of the heart and posterior ribs that run horizontally, while the lungs look clear. What is the likely explanation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pectus excavatum

A depressed sternum compresses the anterior mediastinum and moves the heart to the left, blurring the right heart border and mimicking right middle lobe disease. A lateral film shows the shortened anteroposterior chest dimension.

Option by option

  • A. Pericardial effusion

    A pericardial effusion enlarges the cardiac silhouette symmetrically.

  • B. Right atrial enlargement

    Right atrial enlargement widens the right heart border instead of blurring it.

  • C. Pectus excavatum (correct)

    Correct. A depressed sternum causes these frontal film changes.

  • D. Right middle lobe collapse

    Middle lobe collapse would show volume loss signs and a typical lateral film.

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.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, Pectus excavatum. A depressed sternum compresses the anterior mediastinum and moves the heart to the left, blurring the right heart border and mimicking right middle lobe disease.

Why is "Pericardial effusion" not the answer?

A pericardial effusion enlarges the cardiac silhouette symmetrically.

Why is "Right atrial enlargement" not the answer?

Right atrial enlargement widens the right heart border instead of blurring it.

Why is "Right middle lobe collapse" not the answer?

Middle lobe collapse would show volume loss signs and a typical lateral film.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: pectus excavatum in Radiology. A lateral film shows the shortened anteroposterior chest dimension.

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: pectus excavatum?

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.