Chest imaging: posterior mediastinal mass in a child: 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: posterior mediastinal mass in a child

Sample item

A 3-year-old child has a paravertebral soft tissue mass in the posterior mediastinum on chest radiograph with splaying of adjacent ribs and a few punctate calcifications. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Neuroblastoma

Neurogenic tumours from the sympathetic chain are the commonest posterior mediastinal masses, and neuroblastoma is the usual one in young children, often with calcification and rib splaying. Urinary catecholamines and MIBG help confirm it.

Option by option

  • A. Hodgkin lymphoma

    Hodgkin lymphoma usually involves the anterior or middle mediastinum.

  • B. Thymic hyperplasia

    Thymic hyperplasia is anterior and does not displace ribs.

  • C. Neuroblastoma (correct)

    Correct. A paravertebral mass with calcification in a toddler suggests neuroblastoma.

  • D. Teratoma of the anterior mediastinum

    Teratomas are anterior mediastinal tumours.

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, Neuroblastoma. Neurogenic tumours from the sympathetic chain are the commonest posterior mediastinal masses, and neuroblastoma is the usual one in young children, often with calcification and rib splaying.

Why is "Hodgkin lymphoma" not the answer?

Hodgkin lymphoma usually involves the anterior or middle mediastinum.

Why is "Thymic hyperplasia" not the answer?

Thymic hyperplasia is anterior and does not displace ribs.

Why is "Teratoma of the anterior mediastinum" not the answer?

Teratomas are anterior mediastinal tumours.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: posterior mediastinal mass in a child in Radiology. Urinary catecholamines and MIBG help confirm it.

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: posterior mediastinal mass in a child?

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.