Chest imaging: tree-in-bud: 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: tree-in-bud

Sample item

On HRCT, small centrilobular nodules joined to branching linear opacities in the lung periphery are seen in a patient with endobronchial spread of tuberculosis. What is this sign?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tree-in-bud

Tree-in-bud reflects mucus or pus impaction in the small centrilobular bronchioles, resembling a budding tree. It signals infectious bronchiolitis such as endobronchial TB, atypical mycobacteria and bacterial infection. It can also occur in aspiration and cystic fibrosis.

Option by option

  • A. Mosaic perfusion

    Mosaic perfusion is patchy variation in lung attenuation.

  • B. Tree-in-bud (correct)

    Correct. Branching centrilobular opacities are tree-in-bud.

  • C. Honeycombing

    Honeycombing is clustered subpleural cysts.

  • D. Air crescent

    Air crescent is air around a fungal ball.

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, Tree-in-bud. Tree-in-bud reflects mucus or pus impaction in the small centrilobular bronchioles, resembling a budding tree.

Why is "Mosaic perfusion" not the answer?

Mosaic perfusion is patchy variation in lung attenuation.

Why is "Honeycombing" not the answer?

Honeycombing is clustered subpleural cysts.

Why is "Air crescent" not the answer?

Air crescent is air around a fungal ball.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: tree-in-bud in Radiology. It signals infectious bronchiolitis such as endobronchial TB, atypical mycobacteria and bacterial infection. It can also occur in aspiration and cystic fibrosis.

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: tree-in-bud?

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.