Cardiac imaging: endocarditis on echocardiography: 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 · Cardiac imaging: endocarditis on echocardiography

Sample item

A man with fever and a new regurgitant murmur has negative transthoracic echocardiography but a high clinical suspicion of prosthetic valve endocarditis. Which next test is preferred?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Transoesophageal echocardiography

Transoesophageal echocardiography images the valves from close range with higher resolution, and it detects small vegetations, abscesses and prosthetic valve dehiscence missed by transthoracic scanning. It is the preferred test for prosthetic valves.

Option by option

  • A. Ventilation-perfusion scan

    A V/Q scan evaluates pulmonary perfusion.

  • B. Carotid Doppler

    Carotid Doppler evaluates the carotid arteries.

  • C. Chest radiograph

    A chest film cannot show vegetations.

  • D. Transoesophageal echocardiography (correct)

    Correct. TOE is more sensitive for vegetations and root abscess.

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 D, Transoesophageal echocardiography. Transoesophageal echocardiography images the valves from close range with higher resolution, and it detects small vegetations, abscesses and prosthetic valve dehiscence missed by transthoracic scanning.

Why is "Ventilation-perfusion scan" not the answer?

A V/Q scan evaluates pulmonary perfusion.

Why is "Carotid Doppler" not the answer?

Carotid Doppler evaluates the carotid arteries.

Why is "Chest radiograph" not the answer?

A chest film cannot show vegetations.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: endocarditis on echocardiography in Radiology. It is the preferred test for prosthetic valves.

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 Cardiac imaging: endocarditis on echocardiography?

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.