MSK imaging: Monteggia fracture-dislocation: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · MSK imaging: Monteggia fracture-dislocation

Sample item

After a fall, a patient has a fracture of the proximal ulnar shaft on radiograph. Which additional finding must be sought?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Dislocation of the radial head

A Monteggia injury is an ulnar shaft fracture with radial head dislocation, so the radiocapitellar line must pass through the capitellum on every view. Missing the dislocation leads to a poor outcome.

Option by option

  • A. Fracture of the scaphoid

    The scaphoid is not part of the injury.

  • B. Dislocation of the shoulder

    Shoulder dislocation is unrelated.

  • C. Dislocation of the radial head (correct)

    Correct. A proximal ulna fracture comes with radial head dislocation.

  • D. Dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint

    Distal radioulnar dislocation is the pairing of Galeazzi.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, Dislocation of the radial head. A Monteggia injury is an ulnar shaft fracture with radial head dislocation, so the radiocapitellar line must pass through the capitellum on every view.

Why is "Fracture of the scaphoid" not the answer?

The scaphoid is not part of the injury.

Why is "Dislocation of the shoulder" not the answer?

Shoulder dislocation is unrelated.

Why is "Dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint" not the answer?

Distal radioulnar dislocation is the pairing of Galeazzi.

What concept does this question test?

It tests MSK imaging: Monteggia fracture-dislocation in Radiology. Missing the dislocation leads to a poor outcome.

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 MSK imaging: Monteggia fracture-dislocation?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.