CT pulmonary angiography: 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 · CT pulmonary angiography

Sample item

On CT pulmonary angiography, which finding establishes pulmonary embolism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Intraluminal filling defect in a pulmonary artery

Pulmonary embolus appears as a contrast filling defect within a pulmonary artery on adequately timed CT pulmonary angiography. Image interpretation should be integrated with clinical probability.

Option by option

  • A. Intraluminal filling defect in a pulmonary artery (correct)

    Correct. A vascular filling defect is the direct sign of embolus.

  • B. Cardiomegaly alone

    Cardiomegaly alone neither proves nor excludes embolism.

  • C. Pleural calcification

    Pleural calcification usually reflects prior pleural disease.

  • D. Diffuse ground-glass opacity only

    Ground-glass opacity has many nonembolic causes.

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.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Intraluminal filling defect in a pulmonary artery. Pulmonary embolus appears as a contrast filling defect within a pulmonary artery on adequately timed CT pulmonary angiography.

Why is "Cardiomegaly alone" not the answer?

Cardiomegaly alone neither proves nor excludes embolism.

Why is "Pleural calcification" not the answer?

Pleural calcification usually reflects prior pleural disease.

Why is "Diffuse ground-glass opacity only" not the answer?

Ground-glass opacity has many nonembolic causes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests CT pulmonary angiography in Radiology. Image interpretation should be integrated with clinical probability.

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 CT pulmonary angiography?

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.