Chest and cardiac imaging: relapsing polychondritis of the trachea: 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: relapsing polychondritis of the trachea

Sample item

A patient with recurrent painful ear and nose cartilage inflammation develops stridor. CT shows smooth thickening of the tracheal wall that spares the posterior membranous wall. Which diagnosis fits?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis inflames cartilage, so the tracheal rings thicken smoothly while the cartilage-free posterior wall is spared. Airway collapse on expiratory imaging can follow.

Option by option

  • A. Relapsing polychondritis (correct)

    Correct. Cartilage-based inflammation with sparing of the posterior wall is the key feature.

  • B. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis

    GPA typically causes circumferential subglottic narrowing that includes the posterior wall.

  • C. Post-intubation stenosis

    Post-intubation stenosis is a short focal narrowing at the cuff or stoma site.

  • D. Primary tracheal squamous carcinoma

    A carcinoma is a focal polypoid or infiltrating mass, not smooth diffuse thickening.

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, Relapsing polychondritis. Relapsing polychondritis inflames cartilage, so the tracheal rings thicken smoothly while the cartilage-free posterior wall is spared.

Why is "Granulomatosis with polyangiitis" not the answer?

GPA typically causes circumferential subglottic narrowing that includes the posterior wall.

Why is "Post-intubation stenosis" not the answer?

Post-intubation stenosis is a short focal narrowing at the cuff or stoma site.

Why is "Primary tracheal squamous carcinoma" not the answer?

A carcinoma is a focal polypoid or infiltrating mass, not smooth diffuse thickening.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest and cardiac imaging: relapsing polychondritis of the trachea in Radiology. Airway collapse on expiratory imaging can follow.

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: relapsing polychondritis of the trachea?

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.