Cardiac imaging: figure 3 sign: 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 · Cardiac imaging: figure 3 sign

Sample item

A barium swallow in a young hypertensive man shows an indentation of the oesophagus at the level of the aortic arch with a pre-stenotic and post-stenotic widening. What is the corresponding sign on the chest film, and the disease?

AThe snowman sign of TAPVCBThe egg on string sign of transpositionCThe water-bottle sign of effusionDThe figure 3 sign of coarctation of the aorta

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. The figure 3 sign of coarctation of the aorta

In coarctation the aortic contour shows an indentation at the site of narrowing with dilation above and below, forming a 3 on the frontal film. On barium swallow, the oesophagus follows the same contour to give a reverse 3 sign.

Option by option

A. The snowman sign of TAPVC
The snowman sign belongs to supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return.
B. The egg on string sign of transposition
The egg on string appearance is seen in transposition of the great arteries.
C. The water-bottle sign of effusion
The water-bottle sign describes a large pericardial effusion.
D. The figure 3 sign of coarctation of the aorta (correct)
Correct. The figure 3 and reverse 3 signs are those of aortic coarctation.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, The figure 3 sign of coarctation of the aorta. In coarctation the aortic contour shows an indentation at the site of narrowing with dilation above and below, forming a 3 on the frontal film.

Why is "The snowman sign of TAPVC" not the answer?

The snowman sign belongs to supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return.

Why is "The egg on string sign of transposition" not the answer?

The egg on string appearance is seen in transposition of the great arteries.

Why is "The water-bottle sign of effusion" not the answer?

The water-bottle sign describes a large pericardial effusion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: figure 3 sign in Radiology. On barium swallow, the oesophagus follows the same contour to give a reverse 3 sign.

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 Cardiac imaging: figure 3 sign?

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.