Bone infection: cervical spine tuberculosis: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Bone infection: cervical spine tuberculosis

Sample item

A child with tuberculosis of the cervical spine develops difficulty swallowing, a nasal voice and neck stiffness. Which complication should be suspected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Retropharyngeal abscess

In cervical spine tuberculosis the pus tracks anteriorly and forms a retropharyngeal abscess, which causes dysphagia, a nasal voice and sometimes respiratory difficulty. Lateral neck radiographs show widening of the prevertebral shadow. Large abscesses may need drainage.

Option by option

  • A. Psoas abscess

    A psoas abscess arises from thoracolumbar tuberculosis.

  • B. Pott puffy tumour

    Pott puffy tumour is a subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone from sinusitis.

  • C. Cold abscess in the femoral triangle

    A femoral triangle abscess tracks down from a lumbar spine or psoas collection.

  • D. Retropharyngeal abscess (correct)

    Correct. A retropharyngeal abscess explains dysphagia and a nasal voice.

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.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Retropharyngeal abscess. In cervical spine tuberculosis the pus tracks anteriorly and forms a retropharyngeal abscess, which causes dysphagia, a nasal voice and sometimes respiratory difficulty.

Why is "Psoas abscess" not the answer?

A psoas abscess arises from thoracolumbar tuberculosis.

Why is "Pott puffy tumour" not the answer?

Pott puffy tumour is a subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone from sinusitis.

Why is "Cold abscess in the femoral triangle" not the answer?

A femoral triangle abscess tracks down from a lumbar spine or psoas collection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone infection: cervical spine tuberculosis in Orthopaedics. Lateral neck radiographs show widening of the prevertebral shadow. Large abscesses may need drainage.

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 Bone infection: cervical spine tuberculosis?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.