Cardiac imaging: TAPVC: 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: TAPVC

Sample item

An infant with cyanosis and heart failure has a chest radiograph showing a figure-of-8 or snowman silhouette with increased pulmonary vascularity. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

In supracardiac TAPVC, the vertical vein, left innominate vein and dilated SVC form the upper part of the snowman, while the heart forms the lower part. Pulmonary blood flow is increased. TOF and Ebstein anomaly are not associated with this contour.

Option by option

  • A. Coarctation of aorta

    Coarctation shows rib notching and a figure of 3 sign in older children.

  • B. Ebstein anomaly

    Ebstein anomaly shows a box-shaped massive right atrium.

  • C. Tetralogy of Fallot

    TOF shows a boot-shaped heart.

  • D. Supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (correct)

    Correct. A snowman heart is the classic sign of supracardiac TAPVC.

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 D, Supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. In supracardiac TAPVC, the vertical vein, left innominate vein and dilated SVC form the upper part of the snowman, while the heart forms the lower part.

Why is "Coarctation of aorta" not the answer?

Coarctation shows rib notching and a figure of 3 sign in older children.

Why is "Ebstein anomaly" not the answer?

Ebstein anomaly shows a box-shaped massive right atrium.

Why is "Tetralogy of Fallot" not the answer?

TOF shows a boot-shaped heart.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: TAPVC in Radiology. Pulmonary blood flow is increased. TOF and Ebstein anomaly are not associated with this contour.

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: TAPVC?

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.