Chest imaging: pulmonary embolism signs: 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 imaging: pulmonary embolism signs

Sample item

Which radiographic sign of pulmonary embolism describes a pleural-based wedge-shaped opacity with its apex pointing toward the hilum?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Hampton hump

Hampton hump is a peripheral, pleural-based, dome-shaped opacity representing pulmonary infarction. Westermark sign is a focal area of oligaemia distal to the occlusion. Fleischner sign is an enlarged central pulmonary artery, and Palla sign is enlargement of the right descending pulmonary artery.

Option by option

  • A. Westermark sign

    Westermark sign is oligaemia, not an opacity.

  • B. Palla sign

    Palla sign is enlargement of the right descending pulmonary artery.

  • C. Fleischner sign

    Fleischner sign is a prominent central pulmonary artery.

  • D. Hampton hump (correct)

    Correct. A peripheral wedge opacity is Hampton hump.

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, Hampton hump. Hampton hump is a peripheral, pleural-based, dome-shaped opacity representing pulmonary infarction.

Why is "Westermark sign" not the answer?

Westermark sign is oligaemia, not an opacity.

Why is "Palla sign" not the answer?

Palla sign is enlargement of the right descending pulmonary artery.

Why is "Fleischner sign" not the answer?

Fleischner sign is a prominent central pulmonary artery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: pulmonary embolism signs in Radiology. Westermark sign is a focal area of oligaemia distal to the occlusion. Fleischner sign is an enlarged central pulmonary artery, and Palla sign is enlargement of the right descending pulmonary artery.

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 Chest imaging: pulmonary embolism signs?

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.