Respiratory medicine: pulmonary hamartoma: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Respiratory medicine: pulmonary hamartoma

Sample item

A routine chest radiograph in a 50-year-old non-smoker shows a 2 cm round, well-circumscribed nodule with scattered popcorn-like calcification. It is unchanged from a film taken 3 years ago. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pulmonary hamartoma

Pulmonary hamartoma is the commonest benign lung tumour. It contains cartilage and fat and has a smooth margin, with popcorn calcification in a minority. Stability over 2 years or more and benign calcification patterns favour a benign nodule.

Option by option

  • A. Pulmonary hamartoma (correct)

    Correct. A stable smooth nodule with popcorn calcification is characteristic of hamartoma.

  • B. Bronchial carcinoid tumour

    A carcinoid is typically a central endobronchial lesion causing obstruction.

  • C. Metastasis from colonic carcinoma

    A metastasis is usually multiple and enlarges over time, and rarely calcifies in this pattern.

  • D. Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma

    Adenocarcinoma usually has an irregular or spiculated margin and grows over time.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Pulmonary hamartoma. Pulmonary hamartoma is the commonest benign lung tumour.

Why is "Bronchial carcinoid tumour" not the answer?

A carcinoid is typically a central endobronchial lesion causing obstruction.

Why is "Metastasis from colonic carcinoma" not the answer?

A metastasis is usually multiple and enlarges over time, and rarely calcifies in this pattern.

Why is "Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma" not the answer?

Adenocarcinoma usually has an irregular or spiculated margin and grows over time.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory medicine: pulmonary hamartoma in General Medicine. It contains cartilage and fat and has a smooth margin, with popcorn calcification in a minority. Stability over 2 years or more and benign calcification patterns favour a benign nodule.

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 Respiratory medicine: pulmonary hamartoma?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.