STI: radiological sign of congenital syphilis: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · STI: radiological sign of congenital syphilis

Sample item

A radiograph of a neonate born to an untreated mother shows bilateral symmetric destruction of the medial upper tibial metaphyses. What is this sign called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Wimberger sign

Wimberger sign is symmetric metaphyseal demineralisation and destruction of the medial proximal tibia in early congenital syphilis, together with periostitis. Pelkan spur and Trummerfeld zone are seen in scurvy, and Looser zones in osteomalacia.

Option by option

  • A. Wimberger sign (correct)

    Correct. Wimberger sign is the medial proximal tibial lesion of congenital syphilis.

  • B. Pelkan spur

    Pelkan spurs are metaphyseal spurs seen in scurvy.

  • C. Trummerfeld zone

    The Trummerfeld zone is a radiolucent zone beneath the white line in scurvy.

  • D. Looser zone

    Looser zones are pseudofractures in osteomalacia.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Wimberger sign. Wimberger sign is symmetric metaphyseal demineralisation and destruction of the medial proximal tibia in early congenital syphilis, together with periostitis.

Why is "Pelkan spur" not the answer?

Pelkan spurs are metaphyseal spurs seen in scurvy.

Why is "Trummerfeld zone" not the answer?

The Trummerfeld zone is a radiolucent zone beneath the white line in scurvy.

Why is "Looser zone" not the answer?

Looser zones are pseudofractures in osteomalacia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: radiological sign of congenital syphilis in Dermatology. Pelkan spur and Trummerfeld zone are seen in scurvy, and Looser zones in osteomalacia.

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 STI: radiological sign of congenital syphilis?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.