Cardiac imaging: aortic dissection: 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 · Cardiac imaging: aortic dissection

Sample item

A hypertensive patient has tearing chest pain radiating to the back and unequal arm pulses. What is the investigation of choice if the patient is haemodynamically stable?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. CT angiography of the aorta

CT angiography is rapid and accurate, showing an intimal flap, true and false lumens, and extent of dissection. Transoesophageal echo is an alternative for unstable patients. A chest radiograph may show mediastinal widening but cannot exclude dissection.

Option by option

  • A. Barium swallow

    Barium swallow has no role.

  • B. Plain chest radiograph only

    A chest film is neither sensitive nor specific.

  • C. CT angiography of the aorta (correct)

    Correct. CT angiography is the first choice in stable patients.

  • D. V/Q scan

    V/Q scan is used for pulmonary embolism.

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.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, CT angiography of the aorta. CT angiography is rapid and accurate, showing an intimal flap, true and false lumens, and extent of dissection.

Why is "Barium swallow" not the answer?

Barium swallow has no role.

Why is "Plain chest radiograph only" not the answer?

A chest film is neither sensitive nor specific.

Why is "V/Q scan" not the answer?

V/Q scan is used for pulmonary embolism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: aortic dissection in Radiology. Transoesophageal echo is an alternative for unstable patients. A chest radiograph may show mediastinal widening but cannot exclude dissection.

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 Cardiac imaging: aortic dissection?

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.