Chest and cardiac imaging: diaphragmatic rupture: 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: diaphragmatic rupture

Sample item

After a road traffic collision, a chest radiograph shows a gas-filled bowel loop above the left hemidiaphragm and a nasogastric tube that curls up into the left chest. What injury is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Traumatic left diaphragmatic rupture

A sudden rise in intra-abdominal pressure ruptures the diaphragm, more often on the left because the liver protects the right. Stomach or bowel herniates into the chest, and a nasogastric tube may coil above the diaphragm. CT confirms and shows the collar sign at the waist of the herniated organ.

Option by option

  • A. Pulmonary contusion

    Contusion appears as patchy airspace opacity, not bowel in the chest.

  • B. Tension pneumothorax

    Tension pneumothorax shows a hyperlucent hemithorax and mediastinal shift away.

  • C. Sternal fracture

    Sternal fracture is seen on a lateral view as cortical disruption.

  • D. Traumatic left diaphragmatic rupture (correct)

    Correct. Herniated abdominal viscera and a tube above the diaphragm indicate rupture.

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, Traumatic left diaphragmatic rupture. A sudden rise in intra-abdominal pressure ruptures the diaphragm, more often on the left because the liver protects the right.

Why is "Pulmonary contusion" not the answer?

Contusion appears as patchy airspace opacity, not bowel in the chest.

Why is "Tension pneumothorax" not the answer?

Tension pneumothorax shows a hyperlucent hemithorax and mediastinal shift away.

Why is "Sternal fracture" not the answer?

Sternal fracture is seen on a lateral view as cortical disruption.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest and cardiac imaging: diaphragmatic rupture in Radiology. Stomach or bowel herniates into the chest, and a nasogastric tube may coil above the diaphragm. CT confirms and shows the collar sign at the waist of the herniated organ.

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 and cardiac imaging: diaphragmatic rupture?

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.