Paediatric radiology: 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 · Paediatric radiology

Sample item

A 2-year-old child with a barking cough and inspiratory stridor has an anteroposterior neck radiograph showing symmetrical narrowing of the subglottic airway like the tip of a church steeple. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)

Croup is a viral infection causing subglottic oedema, seen as the steeple (pencil-point) sign on the frontal neck film. It is usually diagnosed clinically, and imaging is not needed in typical cases. Treatment is with corticosteroids and nebulised adrenaline in more severe cases.

Option by option

  • A. Inhaled foreign body

    An inhaled foreign body usually shows air trapping or an opacity, with sudden onset of choking.

  • B. Retropharyngeal abscess

    A retropharyngeal abscess widens the prevertebral space on the lateral view.

  • C. Acute epiglottitis

    Epiglottitis gives the thumb sign of the swollen epiglottis on the lateral view.

  • D. Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) (correct)

    Correct. Subglottic narrowing with the characteristic steeple shape reflects viral laryngeal oedema.

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, Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis). Croup is a viral infection causing subglottic oedema, seen as the steeple (pencil-point) sign on the frontal neck film.

Why is "Inhaled foreign body" not the answer?

An inhaled foreign body usually shows air trapping or an opacity, with sudden onset of choking.

Why is "Retropharyngeal abscess" not the answer?

A retropharyngeal abscess widens the prevertebral space on the lateral view.

Why is "Acute epiglottitis" not the answer?

Epiglottitis gives the thumb sign of the swollen epiglottis on the lateral view.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric radiology in Radiology. It is usually diagnosed clinically, and imaging is not needed in typical cases. Treatment is with corticosteroids and nebulised adrenaline in more severe cases.

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 radiology?

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.