Chest imaging: CT pulmonary angiography: 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: CT pulmonary angiography

Sample item

A patient with sudden pleuritic chest pain and tachycardia, with a normal chest radiograph and normal renal function, is suspected of pulmonary embolism. What is the investigation of choice?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. CT pulmonary angiography

CT pulmonary angiography shows a filling defect in the pulmonary arteries and has replaced most V/Q studies due to high sensitivity and ability to give alternative diagnoses. A positive finding includes a central intraluminal defect with the railway track sign. V/Q is used when contrast is contraindicated.

Option by option

  • A. Chest MRI without contrast

    Unenhanced MRI does not show emboli reliably.

  • B. Bronchoscopy

    Bronchoscopy is for airway evaluation.

  • C. Barium swallow

    Barium swallow is for the oesophagus.

  • D. CT pulmonary angiography (correct)

    Correct. CTPA is the usual investigation for suspected PE.

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, CT pulmonary angiography. CT pulmonary angiography shows a filling defect in the pulmonary arteries and has replaced most V/Q studies due to high sensitivity and ability to give alternative diagnoses.

Why is "Chest MRI without contrast" not the answer?

Unenhanced MRI does not show emboli reliably.

Why is "Bronchoscopy" not the answer?

Bronchoscopy is for airway evaluation.

Why is "Barium swallow" not the answer?

Barium swallow is for the oesophagus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: CT pulmonary angiography in Radiology. A positive finding includes a central intraluminal defect with the railway track sign. V/Q is used when contrast is contraindicated.

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 Chest imaging: CT pulmonary angiography?

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.