FMGE 2025 - Radiology PYQs Practice Questions

Q: A patient presents with a history of dysphagia, which is more pronounced for liquids than solids. Which radiological sign is most likely to be seen?

Rat-tail sign. ***Rat-tail sign*** - Dysphagia that is more pronounced for liquids (**paradoxical dysphagia**) than solids is the hallmark symptom of **Achalasia**, a primary esophageal motility disorder. - The **rat-tail sign** (or **bird-beak sign**) seen on **barium swallow** is due to the non-relaxed, smoothly tapered distal esophagus resulting from **Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) failure** to relax. *Filling defect* - This is a general radiological term indicating any mass lesion protruding into the esophageal lumen, such as a **polyp**, **foreign body**, or a large tumor mass. - It is not specific to motility disorders like Achalasia, which cause smooth, concentric narrowing rather than a discrete filling absence. *Corkscrew esophagus* - This classic radiographic finding is characteristic of **Diffuse Esophageal Spasm (DES)**, where uncoordinated and severe contractions occur intermittently throughout the esophagus. - DES typically causes intermittent dysphagia and significant non-cardiac **chest pain**, and the dysphagia pattern is usually not strictly *liquids more than solids*. *Apple-core lesion* - The **apple-core lesion** (or **napkin-ring sign**) is the classical appearance of an infiltrative, malignant stricture, most commonly seen in cases of advanced **esophageal carcinoma**. - Malignant strictures cause progressive dysphagia, typically starting with difficulty swallowing **solids before liquids**, which contradicts the patient’s presentation. [Practice more Radiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Identify the fracture:

Depressed fracture. ***Depressed fracture*** - This radiograph clearly shows an inward displacement of a segment of the skull, which is the defining characteristic of a **depressed fracture**. This type of fracture is often described as a "ping-pong" fracture in infants due to the pliability of their skulls. - These fractures are clinically significant as they can be associated with underlying **dural tears**, **cortical contusions**, or **intracranial hemorrhage**, often necessitating surgical evaluation and intervention. *Linear fracture* - A linear fracture would appear as a sharp, lucent line on the radiograph without any displacement or depression of the bone fragments. - This is the most common type of skull fracture, but it does not match the visible **indentation** of the cranial vault seen in the image. *Hinge fracture* - A hinge fracture is a type of **basilar skull fracture** that runs across the floor of the middle cranial fossa, effectively separating the skull base into two halves. - This is a severe injury, not depicted in the image, which shows a fracture of the **parietal bone** in the cranial vault, not the base. *Gutter fracture* - A gutter fracture is a specific subtype of depressed fracture, typically caused by a tangential impact (e.g., a bullet grazing the skull), which carves out a trough or "gutter" in the bone. - While it involves depression, the term is more specific. The fracture shown is better classified by the general term **depressed fracture**, which accurately describes the inward buckling of the bone. [Practice more Radiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Following a fight between 2 groups, a boy was brought with severe pain in the chest, distended neck veins, dyspnea, and a BP of 80/50 mmHg. X-ray shows the following findings: What is the diagnosis?

Tension Pneumothorax. ***Tension pneumothorax*** - The clinical presentation of severe dyspnea, **distended neck veins**, and **hypotension** (BP 80/50 mmHg) after trauma is a classic triad for tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency. - The chest X-ray confirms this diagnosis by showing a completely collapsed right lung with a significant **contralateral shift of the mediastinum and trachea** to the left, and flattening of the right hemidiaphragm, indicating high intrapleural pressure. *Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax* - This type of pneumothorax occurs without any preceding trauma or underlying lung disease, typically in tall, thin young men due to the rupture of **apical blebs**. - The patient's presentation follows a fight, clearly indicating a **traumatic etiology**, which rules out a spontaneous pneumothorax. *Traumatic Pneumothorax* - While the cause is trauma, this is a less specific diagnosis. The term **Tension pneumothorax** is more accurate given the life-threatening signs of **hemodynamic instability** and **mediastinal shift**. - A simple traumatic pneumothorax does not typically involve the one-way valve mechanism that leads to the progressive accumulation of air and the resulting **obstructive shock** seen in this patient. *Bilateral Pneumothorax* - This diagnosis is incorrect as the chest X-ray clearly demonstrates a **unilateral** condition affecting only the right side. - The left lung, although compressed by the shifted mediastinum, remains inflated with visible lung markings extending to the chest wall. [Practice more Radiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Identify the procedure shown in the image

Intravenous Pyelogram. ***Intravenous Pyelogram*** - In this procedure, a contrast agent is injected **intravenously** and is then excreted by the kidneys, allowing for visualization of the entire urinary tract, including the renal calyces, pelvis, ureters, and bladder. - The image demonstrates the **nephrogram phase** (contrast in the kidney parenchyma) and the **excretory phase** (contrast in the collecting systems and ureters) simultaneously on both sides, which is characteristic of an IVP. *Retrograde pyelogram* - This procedure involves the injection of contrast material directly into the ureter via a **cystoscope** passed into the bladder, resulting in retrograde (bottom-to-top) filling of the collecting system. - A **ureteral catheter** would typically be visible on the image, and usually, only one side is opacified at a time, which is not the case here. *Combined Retrograde Pyelogram and Ureteroscopy* - This is an invasive procedure where a **ureteroscope** (a thin, flexible camera) is passed up the ureter to directly visualize and treat pathologies like stones or tumors. - The presence of the **ureteroscope** or other instruments would be evident on the radiograph, which are absent in this image. *Antegrade pyelography* - This technique involves inserting a needle or catheter through the skin of the back directly into the renal collecting system (**percutaneous access**) to inject contrast. - A **percutaneous nephrostomy tube** or needle would be visible on the image, which is not seen here. [Practice more Radiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Identify the type of diaphragmatic hernia shown in the X-ray.

Bochdalek hernia. ***Bochdalek hernia*** - This is the most common type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), accounting for over 80% of cases, and is characterized by a defect in the **posterolateral** aspect of the diaphragm. - The X-ray shows classic findings: multiple **gas-filled bowel loops** in the left hemithorax, causing **mediastinal shift** to the right and compression of the left lung, which is consistent with a left-sided Bochdalek hernia. *Morgagni hernia* - This is a rare, **anteromedial** diaphragmatic defect that occurs through the **foramen of Morgagni**, typically on the right side. - It is less common than Bochdalek hernia and often discovered incidentally in older children or adults, presenting with less severe respiratory symptoms. *Hiatal hernia* - This involves the protrusion of the upper part of the stomach through the **esophageal hiatus** into the chest. - It is a midline defect and typically presents with **gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)**, not the extensive herniation of multiple abdominal organs seen in this neonatal X-ray. *Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia* - This is an **acquired** condition resulting from severe blunt or penetrating trauma to the chest or abdomen, not a congenital defect. - While it can appear similar on imaging, the clinical context of a newborn (as suggested by the image) makes a congenital cause like Bochdalek hernia the most likely diagnosis. [Practice more Radiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

A patient presents with a history of dysphagia, which is more pronounced for liquids than solids. Which radiological sign is most likely to be seen?

Accepted Answer

Rat-tail sign

Answer

Corkscrew esophagus

Answer

Apple-core lesion

Answer

Filling defect

Question 2

Identify the fracture:

Accepted Answer

Depressed fracture

Answer

Gutter fracture

Answer

Linear fracture

Answer

Hinge fracture

Question 3

Following a fight between 2 groups, a boy was brought with severe pain in the chest, distended neck veins, dyspnea, and a BP of 80/50 mmHg. X-ray shows the following findings: What is the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Tension Pneumothorax

Answer

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Answer

Bilateral Pneumothorax

Answer

Traumatic Pneumothorax

Question 4

Identify the procedure shown in the image

Accepted Answer

Intravenous Pyelogram

Answer

Combined Retrograde Pyelogram and Ureteroscopy

Answer

Antegrade pyelography

Answer

Retrograde pyelogram

Question 5

Identify the type of diaphragmatic hernia shown in the X-ray.

Accepted Answer

Bochdalek hernia

Answer

Morgagni hernia

Answer

Hiatal hernia

Answer

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia

Question 6

Which of the following is a primary use of this imaging modality?

![img-42.jpeg](img-42.jpeg)

Accepted Answer

Staging of esophageal cancer

Answer

Evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Answer

Identifying the cause of dysphagia

Answer

Assessing cardiac and aortic pathology

Question 7

What is the investigation shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

Answer

Retrograde Pyelogram

Answer

Computed Tomography (CT) Urography

Answer

Magnetic Resonance Urography

Question 8

A chest X-ray is shown below. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary oedema

Answer

Hydrothorax

Answer

Pleural effusion

Answer

Pulmonary fibrosis

Question 9

A 65-year-old patient presents with abdominal distension and constipation. What is the most likely diagnosis based on the abdominal X-ray shown?

Accepted Answer

Sigmoid Volvulus

Answer

Caecal Volvulus

Answer

Intestinal Obstruction

Answer

Small Bowel Volvulus

Question 10

Based on the provided X-ray image, identify the most likely diagnosis.

Accepted Answer

Osteosarcoma

Answer

Chondrosarcoma

Answer

Gout

Answer

Ewing sarcoma

FMGE 2025 — Radiology