Genetic bone disorders: melorheostosis: 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 · Genetic bone disorders: melorheostosis

Sample item

A teenager has pain and joint contracture in one lower limb. Radiographs show dense cortical hyperostosis that flows along the bone like melted candle wax, in a single limb. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Melorheostosis

Melorheostosis is a rare sclerosing bone dysplasia with flowing cortical hyperostosis resembling dripping candle wax, often confined to one limb in a sclerotomal distribution. It can cause pain, stiffness and contractures of adjacent joints. Treatment is symptomatic with soft tissue release when needed.

Option by option

  • A. Osteopetrosis

    Osteopetrosis is a generalised increase in bone density with bone-within-bone appearance.

  • B. Fibrous dysplasia

    Fibrous dysplasia has a ground-glass matrix.

  • C. Osteosarcoma

    Osteosarcoma has a destructive periosteal reaction with a soft tissue mass.

  • D. Melorheostosis (correct)

    Correct. Candle wax cortical hyperostosis in one limb is melorheostosis.

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, Melorheostosis. Melorheostosis is a rare sclerosing bone dysplasia with flowing cortical hyperostosis resembling dripping candle wax, often confined to one limb in a sclerotomal distribution.

Why is "Osteopetrosis" not the answer?

Osteopetrosis is a generalised increase in bone density with bone-within-bone appearance.

Why is "Fibrous dysplasia" not the answer?

Fibrous dysplasia has a ground-glass matrix.

Why is "Osteosarcoma" not the answer?

Osteosarcoma has a destructive periosteal reaction with a soft tissue mass.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Genetic bone disorders: melorheostosis in Orthopaedics. It can cause pain, stiffness and contractures of adjacent joints. Treatment is symptomatic with soft tissue release when needed.

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 Genetic bone disorders: melorheostosis?

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.