GI imaging: feline oesophagus: 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 · GI imaging: feline oesophagus

Sample item

A young man with atopy and dysphagia to solids has a barium swallow that shows fine transverse folds across the mid and distal oesophagus resembling the cat's oesophagus. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Eosinophilic oesophagitis

Eosinophilic oesophagitis causes transient contractions of the muscularis mucosae with fine transverse folds, called feline oesophagus, and fixed rings called trachealisation. Biopsy shows many eosinophils in the epithelium.

Option by option

  • A. Diffuse oesophageal spasm

    Diffuse spasm shows a corkscrew pattern.

  • B. Carcinoma of the oesophagus

    Carcinoma shows an irregular apple core stricture with shouldering.

  • C. Achalasia cardia

    Achalasia shows bird beak tapering and a dilated body.

  • D. Eosinophilic oesophagitis (correct)

    Correct. Atopy with transverse folds is the feline oesophagus of eosinophilic oesophagitis.

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, Eosinophilic oesophagitis. Eosinophilic oesophagitis causes transient contractions of the muscularis mucosae with fine transverse folds, called feline oesophagus, and fixed rings called trachealisation.

Why is "Diffuse oesophageal spasm" not the answer?

Diffuse spasm shows a corkscrew pattern.

Why is "Carcinoma of the oesophagus" not the answer?

Carcinoma shows an irregular apple core stricture with shouldering.

Why is "Achalasia cardia" not the answer?

Achalasia shows bird beak tapering and a dilated body.

What concept does this question test?

It tests GI imaging: feline oesophagus in Radiology. Biopsy shows many eosinophils in the epithelium.

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 GI imaging: feline oesophagus?

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.