Chest and cardiac imaging: bronchogenic cyst: 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: bronchogenic cyst

Sample item

CT in a 25-year-old shows a smooth, round 3 cm subcarinal mass of water-to-slightly-higher attenuation that does not enhance. It is very bright on T2-weighted MRI. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Bronchogenic cyst

Bronchogenic cysts arise from the foregut and lie in the middle mediastinum, commonly subcarinal or paratracheal. They are fluid-filled, non-enhancing and T2 bright, though proteinaceous content can make them denser.

Option by option

  • A. Necrotic tuberculous lymph node

    A caseous node shows peripheral rim enhancement and clinical evidence of tuberculosis.

  • B. Thymoma

    A thymoma is a solid enhancing mass in the anterior mediastinum.

  • C. Bronchogenic cyst (correct)

    Correct. A non-enhancing, T2-bright, subcarinal cystic mass is the typical picture.

  • D. Neurogenic tumour

    Neurogenic tumours are solid, enhancing and paravertebral, in the posterior mediastinum.

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 C, Bronchogenic cyst. Bronchogenic cysts arise from the foregut and lie in the middle mediastinum, commonly subcarinal or paratracheal.

Why is "Necrotic tuberculous lymph node" not the answer?

A caseous node shows peripheral rim enhancement and clinical evidence of tuberculosis.

Why is "Thymoma" not the answer?

A thymoma is a solid enhancing mass in the anterior mediastinum.

Why is "Neurogenic tumour" not the answer?

Neurogenic tumours are solid, enhancing and paravertebral, in the posterior mediastinum.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest and cardiac imaging: bronchogenic cyst in Radiology. They are fluid-filled, non-enhancing and T2 bright, though proteinaceous content can make them denser.

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: bronchogenic cyst?

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.