Chest imaging: COVID-19 pneumonia on CT: 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: COVID-19 pneumonia on CT

Sample item

HRCT of a patient with fever, hypoxia and recent exposure to viral pneumonia shows bilateral, peripheral, subpleural ground glass opacities, with some crazy paving. Which diagnosis is the best fit?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Viral pneumonia such as COVID-19

Bilateral, peripheral and basal ground glass opacities with later consolidation form the typical CT pattern of COVID-19 pneumonia. Pleural effusion and lymph node enlargement are uncommon.

Option by option

  • A. Reactivation tuberculosis

    Reactivation tuberculosis affects the apical and posterior upper lobes with cavitation.

  • B. Viral pneumonia such as COVID-19 (correct)

    Correct. Peripheral bilateral ground glass opacity is typical of viral pneumonia.

  • C. Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema

    Cardiogenic oedema is central and gravitational with effusions and septal lines.

  • D. Lobar bacterial pneumonia

    Lobar pneumonia causes unilateral lobar consolidation with air bronchograms.

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 B, Viral pneumonia such as COVID-19. Bilateral, peripheral and basal ground glass opacities with later consolidation form the typical CT pattern of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Why is "Reactivation tuberculosis" not the answer?

Reactivation tuberculosis affects the apical and posterior upper lobes with cavitation.

Why is "Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema" not the answer?

Cardiogenic oedema is central and gravitational with effusions and septal lines.

Why is "Lobar bacterial pneumonia" not the answer?

Lobar pneumonia causes unilateral lobar consolidation with air bronchograms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: COVID-19 pneumonia on CT in Radiology. Pleural effusion and lymph node enlargement are uncommon.

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: COVID-19 pneumonia on CT?

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.