Chest imaging: scimitar syndrome: 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: scimitar syndrome

Sample item

A chest radiograph shows a small right lung with a curvilinear tubular opacity running toward the right cardiophrenic angle and dextroposition of the heart. What is the diagnosis?

ASwyer-James syndromeBPulmonary sequestrationCKartagener syndromeDScimitar syndrome (partial anomalous pulmonary venous return)

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Scimitar syndrome (partial anomalous pulmonary venous return)

In scimitar syndrome, an anomalous right pulmonary vein drains into the inferior vena cava, appearing like a Turkish sword. The right lung is hypoplastic with the heart shifted rightward. Swyer-James shows a unilateral hyperlucent lung.

Option by option

A. Swyer-James syndrome
Swyer-James syndrome has a small hyperlucent lung with air trapping.
B. Pulmonary sequestration
Sequestration is a mass supplied by a systemic artery.
C. Kartagener syndrome
Kartagener syndrome is situs inversus with bronchiectasis and sinusitis.
D. Scimitar syndrome (partial anomalous pulmonary venous return) (correct)
Correct. A scimitar-shaped vein with a hypoplastic right lung is diagnostic.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, Scimitar syndrome (partial anomalous pulmonary venous return). In scimitar syndrome, an anomalous right pulmonary vein drains into the inferior vena cava, appearing like a Turkish sword.

Why is "Swyer-James syndrome" not the answer?

Swyer-James syndrome has a small hyperlucent lung with air trapping.

Why is "Pulmonary sequestration" not the answer?

Sequestration is a mass supplied by a systemic artery.

Why is "Kartagener syndrome" not the answer?

Kartagener syndrome is situs inversus with bronchiectasis and sinusitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: scimitar syndrome in Radiology. The right lung is hypoplastic with the heart shifted rightward. Swyer-James shows a unilateral hyperlucent lung.

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: scimitar syndrome?

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.