Chest imaging: lymphangioleiomyomatosis: 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: lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Sample item

A 35-year-old woman has recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces and progressive dyspnoea. HRCT shows numerous thin-walled round cysts diffusely throughout both lungs with normal intervening parenchyma. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

LAM is a disease of women of reproductive age with smooth-muscle proliferation that creates diffuse, evenly distributed thin-walled cysts and causes pneumothorax and chylous effusions. It occurs sporadically or with tuberous sclerosis.

Option by option

  • A. Cystic bronchiectasis

    Cystic bronchiectasis shows dilated airways with accompanying arteries.

  • B. Usual interstitial pneumonia

    UIP shows basal subpleural honeycombing and reticulation.

  • C. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (correct)

    Correct. Diffuse thin-walled cysts in a young woman with pneumothorax suggest LAM.

  • D. Centrilobular emphysema

    Emphysema shows lucencies without discrete walls and is centred on secondary lobules.

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, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. LAM is a disease of women of reproductive age with smooth-muscle proliferation that creates diffuse, evenly distributed thin-walled cysts and causes pneumothorax and chylous effusions.

Why is "Cystic bronchiectasis" not the answer?

Cystic bronchiectasis shows dilated airways with accompanying arteries.

Why is "Usual interstitial pneumonia" not the answer?

UIP shows basal subpleural honeycombing and reticulation.

Why is "Centrilobular emphysema" not the answer?

Emphysema shows lucencies without discrete walls and is centred on secondary lobules.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: lymphangioleiomyomatosis in Radiology. It occurs sporadically or with tuberous sclerosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: lymphangioleiomyomatosis?

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.