Cardiac imaging: mitral stenosis: 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 · Cardiac imaging: mitral stenosis

Sample item

A chest radiograph shows straightening of the left heart border, a double density behind the right heart border and splaying of the carina. Which condition is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mitral stenosis with left atrial enlargement

Left atrial enlargement produces a double right heart border, elevation of the left main bronchus, widening of the carinal angle and straightening of the left heart border from enlarged atrial appendage. Pulmonary venous hypertension and calcified valves can accompany it. Aortic stenosis gives LV hypertrophy and post-stenotic aortic dilatation.

Option by option

  • A. Aortic stenosis

    Aortic stenosis causes concentric LV hypertrophy and a dilated ascending aorta.

  • B. Tricuspid atresia

    Tricuspid atresia shows a small right heart and reduced pulmonary vascularity.

  • C. Constrictive pericarditis

    Constrictive pericarditis shows pericardial calcification.

  • D. Mitral stenosis with left atrial enlargement (correct)

    Correct. These signs reflect left atrial enlargement in mitral stenosis.

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 D, Mitral stenosis with left atrial enlargement. Left atrial enlargement produces a double right heart border, elevation of the left main bronchus, widening of the carinal angle and straightening of the left heart border from enlarged atrial appendage.

Why is "Aortic stenosis" not the answer?

Aortic stenosis causes concentric LV hypertrophy and a dilated ascending aorta.

Why is "Tricuspid atresia" not the answer?

Tricuspid atresia shows a small right heart and reduced pulmonary vascularity.

Why is "Constrictive pericarditis" not the answer?

Constrictive pericarditis shows pericardial calcification.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: mitral stenosis in Radiology. Pulmonary venous hypertension and calcified valves can accompany it. Aortic stenosis gives LV hypertrophy and post-stenotic aortic dilatation.

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 Cardiac imaging: mitral stenosis?

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.