Cardiac imaging: constrictive pericarditis: 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: constrictive pericarditis

Sample item

A patient with long-standing tuberculous pericarditis has signs of right-sided heart failure, and a lateral chest radiograph shows curvilinear calcification around the heart. What is the most appropriate next imaging step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. CT or MRI to assess pericardial thickness and calcification

Pericardial calcification suggests constrictive pericarditis, and CT or MRI shows pericardial thickening above 4 mm and features such as tubular ventricles and dilated IVC. Echo shows septal bounce and respiratory variation. Surgical pericardiectomy is the definitive treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Mammography

    Mammography examines the breast.

  • B. Bone scan

    Bone scan is not relevant.

  • C. CT or MRI to assess pericardial thickness and calcification (correct)

    Correct. CT or MRI confirms pericardial thickening and calcification.

  • D. Barium swallow

    Barium swallow evaluates the oesophagus.

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 or MRI to assess pericardial thickness and calcification. Pericardial calcification suggests constrictive pericarditis, and CT or MRI shows pericardial thickening above 4 mm and features such as tubular ventricles and dilated IVC.

Why is "Mammography" not the answer?

Mammography examines the breast.

Why is "Bone scan" not the answer?

Bone scan is not relevant.

Why is "Barium swallow" not the answer?

Barium swallow evaluates the oesophagus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: constrictive pericarditis in Radiology. Echo shows septal bounce and respiratory variation. Surgical pericardiectomy is the definitive treatment.

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 Cardiac imaging: constrictive pericarditis?

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.