Respiratory medicine: Caplan syndrome: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Respiratory medicine: Caplan syndrome

Sample item

A coal miner with rheumatoid arthritis has multiple well-defined peripheral lung nodules of 0.5 to 5 cm on a chest X-ray. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Caplan syndrome

Caplan syndrome is the combination of rheumatoid arthritis and pneumoconiosis, usually in coal workers, with necrobiotic rheumatoid nodules in the lung periphery. It can also occur with silica and asbestos. The nodules may cavitate or calcify.

Option by option

  • A. Sarcoidosis

    Sarcoidosis causes hilar adenopathy and interstitial infiltrates.

  • B. Caplan syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Rheumatoid nodules with pneumoconiosis define Caplan syndrome.

  • C. Silicotic eggshell calcification

    Eggshell calcification refers to hilar node calcification in silicosis.

  • D. Metastatic carcinoma

    Metastases are usually not associated with this occupational context and are less well defined.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Caplan syndrome. Caplan syndrome is the combination of rheumatoid arthritis and pneumoconiosis, usually in coal workers, with necrobiotic rheumatoid nodules in the lung periphery.

Why is "Sarcoidosis" not the answer?

Sarcoidosis causes hilar adenopathy and interstitial infiltrates.

Why is "Silicotic eggshell calcification" not the answer?

Eggshell calcification refers to hilar node calcification in silicosis.

Why is "Metastatic carcinoma" not the answer?

Metastases are usually not associated with this occupational context and are less well defined.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory medicine: Caplan syndrome in General Medicine. It can also occur with silica and asbestos. The nodules may cavitate or calcify.

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 Respiratory medicine: Caplan syndrome?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.