Cardiac imaging: transposition: 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.

Try it

Radiology · Cardiac imaging: transposition

Sample item

A cyanosed newborn shows an oval cardiac silhouette with a narrow vascular pedicle on the chest radiograph. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Transposition of the great arteries

In transposition, the great vessels are arranged anteroposteriorly, so the mediastinum appears narrow on the frontal film and the heart looks like an egg lying on its side. The thymus involutes with stress. Pulmonary vascularity is often increased.

Option by option

  • A. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

    TAPVC shows a snowman or a large heart with pulmonary venous congestion.

  • B. Tetralogy of Fallot

    TOF shows a boot shape.

  • C. Ventricular septal defect

    VSD causes plethora but the vascular pedicle is not narrow.

  • D. Transposition of the great arteries (correct)

    Correct. Egg-on-side with narrow pedicle suggests TGA.

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, Transposition of the great arteries. In transposition, the great vessels are arranged anteroposteriorly, so the mediastinum appears narrow on the frontal film and the heart looks like an egg lying on its side.

Why is "Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection" not the answer?

TAPVC shows a snowman or a large heart with pulmonary venous congestion.

Why is "Tetralogy of Fallot" not the answer?

TOF shows a boot shape.

Why is "Ventricular septal defect" not the answer?

VSD causes plethora but the vascular pedicle is not narrow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: transposition in Radiology. The thymus involutes with stress. Pulmonary vascularity is often increased.

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: transposition?

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.