Chest imaging: 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

Sample item

Which radiographic feature supports pneumothorax on an erect chest radiograph?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. A pleural line with absent peripheral lung markings

In pneumothorax, air separates visceral pleura from chest wall, producing a visible pleural edge with no lung markings beyond it; tension features require immediate clinical treatment rather than imaging delay.

Option by option

  • A. Diffuse bilateral fluffy perihilar shadowing

    Perihilar fluffy shadows suggest pulmonary oedema.

  • B. A pleural line with absent peripheral lung markings (correct)

    Correct: absent markings beyond a pleural line support pleural air.

  • C. Widened mediastinum after trauma

    Mediastinal widening has a different differential diagnosis.

  • D. A meniscus at the lung base

    A basal meniscus suggests pleural fluid.

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, A pleural line with absent peripheral lung markings. In pneumothorax, air separates visceral pleura from chest wall, producing a visible pleural edge with no lung markings beyond it; tension features require immediate clinical treatment rather than imaging delay.

Why is "Diffuse bilateral fluffy perihilar shadowing" not the answer?

Perihilar fluffy shadows suggest pulmonary oedema.

Why is "Widened mediastinum after trauma" not the answer?

Mediastinal widening has a different differential diagnosis.

Why is "A meniscus at the lung base" not the answer?

A basal meniscus suggests pleural fluid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging in Radiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: absent markings beyond a pleural line support pleural air.

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?

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.