Chest and cardiac imaging: aortic root in Marfan 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: aortic root in Marfan syndrome

Sample item

A tall young man with ectopia lentis and arachnodactyly has a CT of the thorax. Which aortic abnormality is characteristic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Dilatation of the sinuses of Valsalva with a flask-shaped root

Fibrillin defects weaken the media, producing annuloaortic ectasia with a pear-shaped root, aortic regurgitation and a risk of dissection. The root is the site monitored by echocardiography and CT.

Option by option

  • A. Aneurysm confined to the distal aortic arch

    Distal arch aneurysms are typically atherosclerotic or traumatic and are not the Marfan hallmark.

  • B. Dilatation of the sinuses of Valsalva with a flask-shaped root (correct)

    Correct. Root dilatation at the sinuses is the typical Marfan lesion.

  • C. Linear calcification of the ascending aortic wall

    Linear calcification of the ascending aorta is classically described in syphilitic aortitis.

  • D. Narrowing of the isthmus beyond the left subclavian artery

    Isthmic narrowing is coarctation, associated with bicuspid aortic valve and Turner syndrome.

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, Dilatation of the sinuses of Valsalva with a flask-shaped root. Fibrillin defects weaken the media, producing annuloaortic ectasia with a pear-shaped root, aortic regurgitation and a risk of dissection.

Why is "Aneurysm confined to the distal aortic arch" not the answer?

Distal arch aneurysms are typically atherosclerotic or traumatic and are not the Marfan hallmark.

Why is "Linear calcification of the ascending aortic wall" not the answer?

Linear calcification of the ascending aorta is classically described in syphilitic aortitis.

Why is "Narrowing of the isthmus beyond the left subclavian artery" not the answer?

Isthmic narrowing is coarctation, associated with bicuspid aortic valve and Turner syndrome.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest and cardiac imaging: aortic root in Marfan syndrome in Radiology. The root is the site monitored by echocardiography and CT.

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: aortic root in Marfan 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.