Chest imaging: cannonball metastases: 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: cannonball metastases

Sample item

A 30-year-old man has a testicular mass and a chest radiograph showing multiple well-defined round opacities of varying size throughout both lungs. What is this appearance called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cannonball metastases

Haematogenous spread produces multiple large, round, well-circumscribed nodules, mainly in the lower zones. Germ cell tumours, renal cell carcinoma and sarcomas are classical sources.

Option by option

  • A. Miliary pattern

    A miliary pattern consists of innumerable 1 to 3 mm nodules.

  • B. Cannonball metastases (correct)

    Correct. Large round nodules in the lungs are called cannonball metastases.

  • C. Honeycombing

    Honeycombing consists of clustered subpleural cysts.

  • D. Tree-in-bud

    Tree-in-bud shows small centrilobular nodules with branching lines.

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 B, Cannonball metastases. Haematogenous spread produces multiple large, round, well-circumscribed nodules, mainly in the lower zones.

Why is "Miliary pattern" not the answer?

A miliary pattern consists of innumerable 1 to 3 mm nodules.

Why is "Honeycombing" not the answer?

Honeycombing consists of clustered subpleural cysts.

Why is "Tree-in-bud" not the answer?

Tree-in-bud shows small centrilobular nodules with branching lines.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: cannonball metastases in Radiology. Germ cell tumours, renal cell carcinoma and sarcomas are classical sources.

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: cannonball metastases?

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.