Chest imaging: saber-sheath trachea: 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: saber-sheath trachea

Sample item

A chest radiograph of an elderly smoker with chronic obstructive disease shows a narrowed coronal diameter of the intrathoracic trachea, with a widened sagittal diameter on the lateral view. What is this called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Saber-sheath trachea

In saber-sheath trachea, the intrathoracic trachea is narrowed from side to side with an increased anteroposterior dimension, because of the high intrathoracic pressures of chronic obstructive disease. The extrathoracic trachea is normal.

Option by option

  • A. Saber-sheath trachea (correct)

    Correct. Coronal narrowing of the intrathoracic trachea fits this sign.

  • B. Tracheomalacia only

    Tracheomalacia is a dynamic collapse best shown on expiratory CT.

  • C. Tracheal stenosis due to goitre

    A goitre displaces and narrows the cervical trachea, often with deviation.

  • D. Tracheal diverticulum

    A diverticulum is a small outpouching on the right posterior wall.

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.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Saber-sheath trachea. In saber-sheath trachea, the intrathoracic trachea is narrowed from side to side with an increased anteroposterior dimension, because of the high intrathoracic pressures of chronic obstructive disease.

Why is "Tracheomalacia only" not the answer?

Tracheomalacia is a dynamic collapse best shown on expiratory CT.

Why is "Tracheal stenosis due to goitre" not the answer?

A goitre displaces and narrows the cervical trachea, often with deviation.

Why is "Tracheal diverticulum" not the answer?

A diverticulum is a small outpouching on the right posterior wall.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: saber-sheath trachea in Radiology. The extrathoracic trachea is normal.

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: saber-sheath trachea?

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.