MSK imaging: calcium pyrophosphate 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.

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Radiology · MSK imaging: calcium pyrophosphate disease

Sample item

An elderly woman has an acutely swollen knee. A radiograph shows thin linear calcification parallel to the articular cartilage of the femoral condyles and menisci. What is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Chondrocalcinosis from calcium pyrophosphate deposition

Linear calcification of hyaline and fibrocartilage is characteristic of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and causes pseudogout. Joint aspiration shows rhomboid, weakly positively birefringent crystals.

Option by option

  • A. Osteochondroma

    An osteochondroma is a bony outgrowth.

  • B. Chondrocalcinosis from calcium pyrophosphate deposition (correct)

    Correct. Linear cartilage calcification is chondrocalcinosis of pseudogout.

  • C. Synovial sarcoma

    Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue mass with stippled calcification.

  • D. Gout with tophi

    Gout shows punched-out erosions with overhanging edges and soft tissue tophi.

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 B, Chondrocalcinosis from calcium pyrophosphate deposition. Linear calcification of hyaline and fibrocartilage is characteristic of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and causes pseudogout.

Why is "Osteochondroma" not the answer?

An osteochondroma is a bony outgrowth.

Why is "Synovial sarcoma" not the answer?

Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue mass with stippled calcification.

Why is "Gout with tophi" not the answer?

Gout shows punched-out erosions with overhanging edges and soft tissue tophi.

What concept does this question test?

It tests MSK imaging: calcium pyrophosphate disease in Radiology. Joint aspiration shows rhomboid, weakly positively birefringent crystals.

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: calcium pyrophosphate 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.