Chest imaging: bronchiectasis on CT: 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: bronchiectasis on CT

Sample item

On HRCT, a bronchus appears larger than its adjacent pulmonary artery, forming a ring with a bright dot. What is this sign?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Signet ring sign of bronchiectasis

The signet ring sign shows a dilated bronchus with a smaller accompanying artery (bronchoarterial ratio above 1), characteristic of bronchiectasis. Lack of tapering and visible airways in the peripheral third are additional signs. Causes include cystic fibrosis, post-infective damage and ABPA.

Option by option

  • A. Tree-in-bud sign

    Tree-in-bud indicates small airway impaction.

  • B. Halo sign

    The halo sign is ground glass around a nodule.

  • C. Crazy paving

    Crazy paving is ground glass with septal lines.

  • D. Signet ring sign of bronchiectasis (correct)

    Correct. A dilated bronchus beside a smaller artery is the signet ring sign.

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, Signet ring sign of bronchiectasis. The signet ring sign shows a dilated bronchus with a smaller accompanying artery (bronchoarterial ratio above 1), characteristic of bronchiectasis.

Why is "Tree-in-bud sign" not the answer?

Tree-in-bud indicates small airway impaction.

Why is "Halo sign" not the answer?

The halo sign is ground glass around a nodule.

Why is "Crazy paving" not the answer?

Crazy paving is ground glass with septal lines.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: bronchiectasis on CT in Radiology. Lack of tapering and visible airways in the peripheral third are additional signs. Causes include cystic fibrosis, post-infective damage and ABPA.

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: bronchiectasis on CT?

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.