Thyroid: retrosternal goitre: practice question

A General Surgery 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 Surgery · Thyroid: retrosternal goitre

Sample item

A patient with a large goitre has facial flushing and distended neck veins when she raises both arms above her head. What is this sign?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pemberton sign

Pemberton sign indicates thoracic inlet obstruction by a retrosternal goitre, and suggests superior vena cava compression. CT assesses extent, and thyroidectomy usually through a cervical incision is advised. Trousseau and Chvostek signs indicate hypocalcaemia.

Option by option

  • A. Kocher sign

    Kocher sign is lid retraction in thyrotoxicosis.

  • B. Trousseau sign

    Trousseau sign is carpopedal spasm on cuff inflation.

  • C. Pemberton sign (correct)

    Correct. Arm elevation provokes venous congestion in thoracic inlet obstruction.

  • D. Chvostek sign

    Chvostek sign is facial twitching on tapping.

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 Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Pemberton sign. Pemberton sign indicates thoracic inlet obstruction by a retrosternal goitre, and suggests superior vena cava compression.

Why is "Kocher sign" not the answer?

Kocher sign is lid retraction in thyrotoxicosis.

Why is "Trousseau sign" not the answer?

Trousseau sign is carpopedal spasm on cuff inflation.

Why is "Chvostek sign" not the answer?

Chvostek sign is facial twitching on tapping.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thyroid: retrosternal goitre in General Surgery. CT assesses extent, and thyroidectomy usually through a cervical incision is advised. Trousseau and Chvostek signs indicate hypocalcaemia.

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 Thyroid: retrosternal goitre?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.