Chest imaging: Luftsichel 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 · Chest imaging: Luftsichel sign

Sample item

A chest radiograph in a patient with a left upper lobe collapse shows a thin crescent of lucency between the aortic knuckle and the collapsed lobe. What is this sign called?

AAir crescent signBGolden S signCLuftsichel sign, from hyperinflated superior segment of the left lower lobeDWestermark sign

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Luftsichel sign, from hyperinflated superior segment of the left lower lobe

In left upper lobe collapse, the over-expanded apical segment of the lower lobe fills the space beside the aortic arch and appears as a crescent of lucency. Luftsichel is German for air crescent in the sense of a sickle of air.

Option by option

A. Air crescent sign
The air crescent sign refers to air around a fungal ball or invasive aspergillosis lesion.
B. Golden S sign
The Golden S sign is seen with right upper lobe collapse due to a central mass.
C. Luftsichel sign, from hyperinflated superior segment of the left lower lobe (correct)
Correct. This is the classic sign of left upper lobe collapse.
D. Westermark sign
Westermark sign is focal oligaemia in pulmonary embolism.

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 C, Luftsichel sign, from hyperinflated superior segment of the left lower lobe. In left upper lobe collapse, the over-expanded apical segment of the lower lobe fills the space beside the aortic arch and appears as a crescent of lucency.

Why is "Air crescent sign" not the answer?

The air crescent sign refers to air around a fungal ball or invasive aspergillosis lesion.

Why is "Golden S sign" not the answer?

The Golden S sign is seen with right upper lobe collapse due to a central mass.

Why is "Westermark sign" not the answer?

Westermark sign is focal oligaemia in pulmonary embolism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: Luftsichel sign in Radiology. Luftsichel is German for air crescent in the sense of a sickle of air.

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: Luftsichel 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.