Chest and cardiac imaging: Caplan syndrome: 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 and cardiac imaging: Caplan syndrome

Sample item

A coal miner with rheumatoid arthritis has multiple well-defined peripheral lung nodules, 0.5 to 5 cm, some cavitating, on a background of mild dust-related changes. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Caplan syndrome

Caplan syndrome is rheumatoid pneumoconiosis, with multiple rounded peripheral necrobiotic nodules in a dust-exposed patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Progressive massive fibrosis is a large upper-zone conglomerate mass. Vasculitis and metastases lack the dust and rheumatoid background.

Option by option

  • A. Caplan syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Multiple peripheral nodules in a dust-exposed patient with rheumatoid arthritis is Caplan syndrome.

  • B. Progressive massive fibrosis

    Progressive massive fibrosis gives large upper-zone conglomerate masses, not multiple peripheral nodules.

  • C. Metastatic carcinoma

    Metastases would need a known primary and do not fit the background.

  • D. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis

    Granulomatosis with polyangiitis causes nodules with systemic vasculitis and no dust link.

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 A, Caplan syndrome. Caplan syndrome is rheumatoid pneumoconiosis, with multiple rounded peripheral necrobiotic nodules in a dust-exposed patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Why is "Progressive massive fibrosis" not the answer?

Progressive massive fibrosis gives large upper-zone conglomerate masses, not multiple peripheral nodules.

Why is "Metastatic carcinoma" not the answer?

Metastases would need a known primary and do not fit the background.

Why is "Granulomatosis with polyangiitis" not the answer?

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis causes nodules with systemic vasculitis and no dust link.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest and cardiac imaging: Caplan syndrome in Radiology. Progressive massive fibrosis is a large upper-zone conglomerate mass. Vasculitis and metastases lack the dust and rheumatoid background.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 and cardiac imaging: Caplan syndrome?

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.