Chest imaging: asbestos: 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 · Chest imaging: asbestos

Sample item

A retired shipyard worker has bilateral calcified plaques on the diaphragmatic pleura and chest wall. Which statement is correct?

AThe plaques are seen only in coal workersBThe plaques are markers of asbestos exposure and are not themselves premalignantCThe plaques are pre-malignant and need immediate resectionDPleural plaques commonly cause severe restriction

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. The plaques are markers of asbestos exposure and are not themselves premalignant

Pleural plaques, particularly calcified ones on the diaphragm, are hallmarks of past asbestos exposure and spare the costophrenic angles and apices. They are usually asymptomatic and not malignant. The associated risks of mesothelioma and bronchogenic carcinoma relate to the exposure itself.

Option by option

A. The plaques are seen only in coal workers
They are characteristic of asbestos, not coal dust.
B. The plaques are markers of asbestos exposure and are not themselves premalignant (correct)
Correct. Plaques mark exposure and are not themselves malignant.
C. The plaques are pre-malignant and need immediate resection
They need no resection.
D. Pleural plaques commonly cause severe restriction
They seldom cause significant functional impairment.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, The plaques are markers of asbestos exposure and are not themselves premalignant. Pleural plaques, particularly calcified ones on the diaphragm, are hallmarks of past asbestos exposure and spare the costophrenic angles and apices.

Why is "The plaques are seen only in coal workers" not the answer?

They are characteristic of asbestos, not coal dust.

Why is "The plaques are pre-malignant and need immediate resection" not the answer?

They need no resection.

Why is "Pleural plaques commonly cause severe restriction" not the answer?

They seldom cause significant functional impairment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: asbestos in Radiology. They are usually asymptomatic and not malignant. The associated risks of mesothelioma and bronchogenic carcinoma relate to the exposure itself.

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 Chest imaging: asbestos?

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.