Chest imaging: solitary pulmonary nodule: 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: solitary pulmonary nodule

Sample item

A 50-year-old non-smoker has an incidental 2 cm solitary lung nodule on CT showing 'popcorn' calcification and internal fat. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pulmonary hamartoma

Hamartomas are the commonest benign lung tumours and show fat density and popcorn calcification within a smooth nodule. Concentric, central, diffuse or laminated calcification suggests a granuloma. Eccentric calcification can occur in carcinoma.

Option by option

  • A. Pulmonary hamartoma (correct)

    Correct. Fat with popcorn calcification is typical of hamartoma.

  • B. Metastasis from osteosarcoma

    Osteosarcoma metastases show dense ossification, usually multiple.

  • C. Bronchogenic carcinoma

    Carcinoma usually shows spiculation and no fat.

  • D. Active tuberculoma

    A tuberculoma is often calcified in a laminated pattern and has satellite lesions.

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 A, Pulmonary hamartoma. Hamartomas are the commonest benign lung tumours and show fat density and popcorn calcification within a smooth nodule.

Why is "Metastasis from osteosarcoma" not the answer?

Osteosarcoma metastases show dense ossification, usually multiple.

Why is "Bronchogenic carcinoma" not the answer?

Carcinoma usually shows spiculation and no fat.

Why is "Active tuberculoma" not the answer?

A tuberculoma is often calcified in a laminated pattern and has satellite lesions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: solitary pulmonary nodule in Radiology. Concentric, central, diffuse or laminated calcification suggests a granuloma. Eccentric calcification can occur in carcinoma.

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: solitary pulmonary nodule?

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.