Chest imaging: silicosis: 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: silicosis

Sample item

A stone-quarry worker has a chest radiograph showing small upper zone nodules and thin calcification around the periphery of enlarged hilar nodes. What is the sign?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Egg-shell calcification of hilar nodes in silicosis

Silicosis shows multiple small nodules in the upper and posterior zones, and egg-shell calcification of hilar nodes in a minority of patients. It also predisposes to tuberculosis. Egg-shell calcification may also be seen in sarcoidosis and after radiotherapy for lymphoma.

Option by option

  • A. Bird's nest pattern

    A bird's nest is not a pulmonary sign.

  • B. Egg-shell calcification of hilar nodes in silicosis (correct)

    Correct. Peripheral rim calcification of nodes occurs in silicosis.

  • C. Honeycomb lung

    Honeycombing implies end-stage fibrosis from various causes.

  • D. Pleural plaques of asbestosis

    Pleural plaques are typical of asbestos exposure.

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 B, Egg-shell calcification of hilar nodes in silicosis. Silicosis shows multiple small nodules in the upper and posterior zones, and egg-shell calcification of hilar nodes in a minority of patients.

Why is "Bird's nest pattern" not the answer?

A bird's nest is not a pulmonary sign.

Why is "Honeycomb lung" not the answer?

Honeycombing implies end-stage fibrosis from various causes.

Why is "Pleural plaques of asbestosis" not the answer?

Pleural plaques are typical of asbestos exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: silicosis in Radiology. It also predisposes to tuberculosis. Egg-shell calcification may also be seen in sarcoidosis and after radiotherapy for lymphoma.

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: silicosis?

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.