Spine: Kummell disease: 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 · Spine: Kummell disease

Sample item

A 75-year-old woman suffered a minor vertebral compression fracture. Three months later she has increasing back pain and kyphosis, and a radiograph shows a gas-filled cleft within a collapsed vertebral body. What is this called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Kummell disease, avascular necrosis of the vertebral body

Kummell disease is delayed vertebral collapse after a compression fracture, with an intravertebral vacuum cleft indicating osteonecrosis. It produces progressive kyphosis and pain, and may cause neurological deficit. Treatment ranges from bracing to cement augmentation or surgical stabilisation.

Option by option

  • A. Paget disease

    Paget disease causes an enlarged, sclerotic vertebra with thick trabeculae.

  • B. Kummell disease, avascular necrosis of the vertebral body (correct)

    Correct. A vacuum cleft and delayed collapse indicate Kummell disease.

  • C. Scheuermann disease

    Scheuermann disease is adolescent kyphosis with wedged vertebrae.

  • D. Pott disease

    Pott disease is spinal tuberculosis, with disc destruction and abscess.

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 B, Kummell disease, avascular necrosis of the vertebral body. Kummell disease is delayed vertebral collapse after a compression fracture, with an intravertebral vacuum cleft indicating osteonecrosis.

Why is "Paget disease" not the answer?

Paget disease causes an enlarged, sclerotic vertebra with thick trabeculae.

Why is "Scheuermann disease" not the answer?

Scheuermann disease is adolescent kyphosis with wedged vertebrae.

Why is "Pott disease" not the answer?

Pott disease is spinal tuberculosis, with disc destruction and abscess.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: Kummell disease in Orthopaedics. It produces progressive kyphosis and pain, and may cause neurological deficit. Treatment ranges from bracing to cement augmentation or surgical stabilisation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Spine: Kummell disease?

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.