Chest and cardiac imaging: bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis: 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.

Try it

Radiology · Chest and cardiac imaging: bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis

Sample item

A 12-year-old has recurrent chest infections and steatorrhoea. HRCT shows bronchiectasis with mucus plugging. Where does it predominate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Upper zones

Cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is typically upper-lobe predominant with mucus plugging and air trapping. Lower zone disease is more usual after infection or in immunodeficiency.

Option by option

  • A. Right middle lobe and lingula only

    Isolated middle lobe and lingular disease is the pattern in non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (Lady Windermere).

  • B. Upper zones (correct)

    Correct. Upper-zone predominance is characteristic of cystic fibrosis.

  • C. Peripheral subpleural bases

    Peripheral basal bronchiectasis with reticulation is traction bronchiectasis in fibrosis.

  • D. Lower zones

    Basal predominance is more typical of post-infective disease and primary ciliary dyskinesia.

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 B, Upper zones. Cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is typically upper-lobe predominant with mucus plugging and air trapping.

Why is "Right middle lobe and lingula only" not the answer?

Isolated middle lobe and lingular disease is the pattern in non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (Lady Windermere).

Why is "Peripheral subpleural bases" not the answer?

Peripheral basal bronchiectasis with reticulation is traction bronchiectasis in fibrosis.

Why is "Lower zones" not the answer?

Basal predominance is more typical of post-infective disease and primary ciliary dyskinesia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest and cardiac imaging: bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis in Radiology. Lower zone disease is more usual after infection or in immunodeficiency.

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: bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis?

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.