Radiotherapy: radiation pneumonitis: 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 · Radiotherapy: radiation pneumonitis

Sample item

A patient receives chest radiotherapy for lung cancer, and 8 weeks later develops dry cough, low grade fever and dyspnoea, with a hazy opacity conforming to the radiation field. What is the most likely diagnosis and treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Radiation pneumonitis, treated with corticosteroids

Radiation pneumonitis typically occurs 1 to 3 months after therapy, with infiltrates limited to the irradiated field with sharp straight margins not respecting anatomical boundaries. Corticosteroids are the main treatment. Fibrosis may follow in later months.

Option by option

  • A. Bacterial pneumonia, treated with surgery

    A field-restricted opacity is not typical of bacterial pneumonia, and surgery is not treatment.

  • B. Tuberculosis, treated with radiotherapy

    TB is not treated with radiotherapy.

  • C. Pulmonary embolism, treated with thrombolysis

    PE does not produce a field-limited opacity.

  • D. Radiation pneumonitis, treated with corticosteroids (correct)

    Correct. This timing and a field-shaped opacity indicate radiation pneumonitis.

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 D, Radiation pneumonitis, treated with corticosteroids. Radiation pneumonitis typically occurs 1 to 3 months after therapy, with infiltrates limited to the irradiated field with sharp straight margins not respecting anatomical boundaries.

Why is "Bacterial pneumonia, treated with surgery" not the answer?

A field-restricted opacity is not typical of bacterial pneumonia, and surgery is not treatment.

Why is "Tuberculosis, treated with radiotherapy" not the answer?

TB is not treated with radiotherapy.

Why is "Pulmonary embolism, treated with thrombolysis" not the answer?

PE does not produce a field-limited opacity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy: radiation pneumonitis in Radiology. Corticosteroids are the main treatment. Fibrosis may follow in later months.

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 Radiotherapy: radiation pneumonitis?

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.