Trauma imaging: fallen lung sign: 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 · Trauma imaging: fallen lung sign

Sample item

After blunt chest trauma, a chest radiograph shows a large pneumothorax in which the collapsed lung lies at the bottom of the pleural cavity, away from the hilum. What injury does this suggest?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Complete tracheobronchial rupture

In complete bronchial transection the lung is no longer tethered by its bronchus and drops to the dependent part of the thorax, the fallen lung sign. A persistent air leak after chest drain placement is the clinical pairing.

Option by option

  • A. Complete tracheobronchial rupture (correct)

    Correct. The lung falls away from the hilum when the main bronchus is torn.

  • B. Simple rib fracture

    A rib fracture alone does not cause a fallen lung.

  • C. Pulmonary contusion

    Contusion shows airspace opacity without a collapsed fallen lung.

  • D. Diaphragmatic eventration

    Eventration is a congenital or paralytic diaphragm elevation.

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 A, Complete tracheobronchial rupture. In complete bronchial transection the lung is no longer tethered by its bronchus and drops to the dependent part of the thorax, the fallen lung sign.

Why is "Simple rib fracture" not the answer?

A rib fracture alone does not cause a fallen lung.

Why is "Pulmonary contusion" not the answer?

Contusion shows airspace opacity without a collapsed fallen lung.

Why is "Diaphragmatic eventration" not the answer?

Eventration is a congenital or paralytic diaphragm elevation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma imaging: fallen lung sign in Radiology. A persistent air leak after chest drain placement is the clinical pairing.

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 Trauma imaging: fallen lung sign?

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.