Paediatric imaging: triple bubble 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.

Try it

Radiology · Paediatric imaging: triple bubble sign

Sample item

A newborn with bilious vomiting has an abdominal film showing three gas-filled structures in the upper abdomen with no gas distally. Which diagnosis does this favour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Proximal jejunal atresia

A triple bubble represents the stomach, duodenal bulb and dilated proximal jejunum with absent distal gas, and it is typical of proximal jejunal atresia. Duodenal atresia gives a double bubble.

Option by option

  • A. Hirschsprung disease

    Hirschsprung disease shows distal bowel obstruction with many dilated loops.

  • B. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

    Pyloric stenosis causes non-bilious projectile vomiting with a single gastric bubble.

  • C. Duodenal atresia

    Duodenal atresia gives only two bubbles, stomach and duodenum.

  • D. Proximal jejunal atresia (correct)

    Correct. Three bubbles point to jejunal atresia.

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.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, Proximal jejunal atresia. A triple bubble represents the stomach, duodenal bulb and dilated proximal jejunum with absent distal gas, and it is typical of proximal jejunal atresia.

Why is "Hirschsprung disease" not the answer?

Hirschsprung disease shows distal bowel obstruction with many dilated loops.

Why is "Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis" not the answer?

Pyloric stenosis causes non-bilious projectile vomiting with a single gastric bubble.

Why is "Duodenal atresia" not the answer?

Duodenal atresia gives only two bubbles, stomach and duodenum.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric imaging: triple bubble sign in Radiology. Duodenal atresia gives a double bubble.

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 Paediatric imaging: triple bubble 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.