Musculoskeletal imaging: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: 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 · Musculoskeletal imaging: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

Sample item

A smoker with a lung mass has painful, swollen wrists and ankles and finger clubbing. What do radiographs of the long bones show?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Linear periosteal new bone formation along the shafts

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy causes symmetric periosteal new bone along the diaphyses of the tibia, fibula, radius and ulna, with clubbing and painful joints, most often from bronchogenic carcinoma. The findings can regress when the tumour is removed. Lytic lesions suggest metastasis, and bone within bone suggests osteopetrosis.

Option by option

  • A. Lytic lesions with a soft tissue mass

    Lytic lesions with a mass indicate metastases or primary bone tumours.

  • B. Linear periosteal new bone formation along the shafts (correct)

    Correct. Periosteal new bone is the radiological hallmark.

  • C. Bone within bone appearance

    Bone within bone is typical of osteopetrosis.

  • D. Chondrocalcinosis of the joints

    Chondrocalcinosis indicates calcium pyrophosphate deposition.

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, Linear periosteal new bone formation along the shafts. Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy causes symmetric periosteal new bone along the diaphyses of the tibia, fibula, radius and ulna, with clubbing and painful joints, most often from bronchogenic carcinoma.

Why is "Lytic lesions with a soft tissue mass" not the answer?

Lytic lesions with a mass indicate metastases or primary bone tumours.

Why is "Bone within bone appearance" not the answer?

Bone within bone is typical of osteopetrosis.

Why is "Chondrocalcinosis of the joints" not the answer?

Chondrocalcinosis indicates calcium pyrophosphate deposition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in Radiology. The findings can regress when the tumour is removed. Lytic lesions suggest metastasis, and bone within bone suggests osteopetrosis.

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 Musculoskeletal imaging: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy?

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.