Retina: Purtscher retinopathy: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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

Ophthalmology · Retina: Purtscher retinopathy

Sample item

After a crush chest injury a patient has multiple cotton wool spots and haemorrhages around the disc. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Purtscher retinopathy

Purtscher retinopathy is a thrombotic microangiopathy of the peripapillary retina following chest compression, long bone fracture or pancreatitis. Berlin's oedema is commotio retinae following direct ocular blunt trauma.

Option by option

  • A. Valsalva retinopathy

    Valsalva retinopathy is a premacular haemorrhage.

  • B. Purtscher retinopathy (correct)

    Correct. Distant trauma with peripapillary lesions defines it.

  • C. Berlin oedema

    Berlin oedema follows direct ocular contusion.

  • D. Terson syndrome

    Terson syndrome is vitreous haemorrhage with subarachnoid haemorrhage.

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 Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Purtscher retinopathy. Purtscher retinopathy is a thrombotic microangiopathy of the peripapillary retina following chest compression, long bone fracture or pancreatitis.

Why is "Valsalva retinopathy" not the answer?

Valsalva retinopathy is a premacular haemorrhage.

Why is "Berlin oedema" not the answer?

Berlin oedema follows direct ocular contusion.

Why is "Terson syndrome" not the answer?

Terson syndrome is vitreous haemorrhage with subarachnoid haemorrhage.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: Purtscher retinopathy in Ophthalmology. Berlin's oedema is commotio retinae following direct ocular blunt trauma.

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 Retina: Purtscher retinopathy?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.