Trauma imaging: sternal fracture: 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 · Trauma imaging: sternal fracture

Sample item

After a steering-wheel injury, a patient has anterior chest pain and sternal tenderness. A frontal chest film is normal. Which view or test best demonstrates a sternal fracture?

APosteroanterior skull viewBVentilation-perfusion scanCAbdominal supine filmDLateral sternal view or CT of the chest

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Lateral sternal view or CT of the chest

Most sternal fractures are transverse and are poorly seen on a frontal film because the sternum is superimposed on the spine. A lateral view or CT shows the step in the cortex and any associated mediastinal haematoma.

Option by option

A. Posteroanterior skull view
A skull view is unrelated.
B. Ventilation-perfusion scan
A V/Q scan is a perfusion test.
C. Abdominal supine film
An abdominal film does not show the sternum.
D. Lateral sternal view or CT of the chest (correct)
Correct. Lateral views or CT show the sternal cortex.

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 D, Lateral sternal view or CT of the chest. Most sternal fractures are transverse and are poorly seen on a frontal film because the sternum is superimposed on the spine.

Why is "Posteroanterior skull view" not the answer?

A skull view is unrelated.

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

A V/Q scan is a perfusion test.

Why is "Abdominal supine film" not the answer?

An abdominal film does not show the sternum.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma imaging: sternal fracture in Radiology. A lateral view or CT shows the step in the cortex and any associated mediastinal haematoma.

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 Trauma imaging: sternal fracture?

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.