Question:

The finger-in-glove sign is seen in

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Branching mucus-filled dilated bronchi resembling gloved fingers - think mucoid impaction.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
  • Pneumocystis carinii
  • Tuberculosis
  • Bronchocele
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The finger-in-glove sign is a radiological appearance of branching tubular or Y-shaped/V-shaped opacities produced by mucoid impaction within dilated bronchi - that is, a bronchocele (mucoid impaction of bronchi).

Step 2: A bronchocele forms when a bronchus is obstructed or dilated and fills with inspissated mucus. Causes include bronchial obstruction (hamartoma, lipoma, carcinoid, bronchogenic carcinoma, congenital atresia) and non-obstructive conditions such as asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and cystic fibrosis.

Step 3: Why the other options are wrong - Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis gives a crazy-paving pattern; Pneumocystis pneumonia gives bilateral perihilar ground-glass opacities; tuberculosis shows cavitation and upper-lobe fibronodular disease. None of these produces the gloved-finger mucoid impaction shadow.

Step 4: Hence the finger-in-glove sign indicates a bronchocele.
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