MSK imaging: Kienbock disease: 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.

Try it

Radiology · MSK imaging: Kienbock disease

Sample item

A young manual worker has chronic wrist pain. Radiographs show increased density and later collapse of the lunate. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Kienbock disease (avascular necrosis of the lunate)

Avascular necrosis of the lunate causes sclerosis and then fragmentation and collapse, and is associated with a short ulna (negative ulnar variance). MRI detects it earlier than radiographs.

Option by option

  • A. Preiser disease

    Preiser disease is necrosis of the scaphoid.

  • B. Gout

    Gout shows punched-out erosions with overhanging edges.

  • C. Scaphoid nonunion

    Scaphoid nonunion affects the scaphoid waist.

  • D. Kienbock disease (avascular necrosis of the lunate) (correct)

    Correct. A dense collapsing lunate is Kienbock disease.

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.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, Kienbock disease (avascular necrosis of the lunate). Avascular necrosis of the lunate causes sclerosis and then fragmentation and collapse, and is associated with a short ulna (negative ulnar variance).

Why is "Preiser disease" not the answer?

Preiser disease is necrosis of the scaphoid.

Why is "Gout" not the answer?

Gout shows punched-out erosions with overhanging edges.

Why is "Scaphoid nonunion" not the answer?

Scaphoid nonunion affects the scaphoid waist.

What concept does this question test?

It tests MSK imaging: Kienbock disease in Radiology. MRI detects it earlier than radiographs.

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 MSK imaging: Kienbock disease?

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.