Bone tumours: vertebral haemangioma: 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 tumours: vertebral haemangioma

Sample item

An incidental MRI of the lumbar spine in a 45-year-old woman shows a vertebral body with vertical, coarse trabeculae resembling corduroy on a lateral radiograph and polka dots on axial CT. She has no symptoms. What is the correct management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Observation, because it is a common benign vascular lesion

Vertebral haemangioma is the commonest benign spinal tumour and is usually found incidentally. Thickened vertical trabeculae give a corduroy appearance on radiographs and a polka-dot pattern on axial CT. Treatment is only needed for pain or neurological compression.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate vertebrectomy

    Vertebrectomy is not needed for a benign asymptomatic lesion.

  • B. Chemotherapy

    Chemotherapy has no role in a haemangioma.

  • C. Whole spine radiotherapy

    Radiotherapy is reserved for symptomatic lesions.

  • D. Observation, because it is a common benign vascular lesion (correct)

    Correct. A typical asymptomatic haemangioma needs no treatment.

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, Observation, because it is a common benign vascular lesion. Vertebral haemangioma is the commonest benign spinal tumour and is usually found incidentally.

Why is "Immediate vertebrectomy" not the answer?

Vertebrectomy is not needed for a benign asymptomatic lesion.

Why is "Chemotherapy" not the answer?

Chemotherapy has no role in a haemangioma.

Why is "Whole spine radiotherapy" not the answer?

Radiotherapy is reserved for symptomatic lesions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone tumours: vertebral haemangioma in Orthopaedics. Thickened vertical trabeculae give a corduroy appearance on radiographs and a polka-dot pattern on axial CT. Treatment is only needed for pain or neurological compression.

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 tumours: vertebral haemangioma?

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.