Bone tumours: cement after curettage of giant cell tumour: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Bone tumours: cement after curettage of giant cell tumour

Sample item

After extended curettage of a giant cell tumour of the distal femur, the surgeon fills the cavity with polymethylmethacrylate rather than bone graft. What is the main advantage?

AIt stimulates new bone formation through osteoinductionBIt is resorbed and replaced by host boneCSetting heat helps kill residual cells and recurrence is easier to seeDIt sets without heat and spares the joint surface

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Setting heat helps kill residual cells and recurrence is easier to see

Cement gives immediate structural support, its exothermic setting adds a thermal adjuvant effect on residual tumour cells, and recurrence appears as a radiolucent line against radio-dense cement. Bone graft can obscure recurrence and does not offer a thermal effect.

Option by option

A. It stimulates new bone formation through osteoinduction
Cement is inert and has no osteoinductive property.
B. It is resorbed and replaced by host bone
Cement is not resorbed and persists as a permanent filler.
C. Setting heat helps kill residual cells and recurrence is easier to see (correct)
Correct. Thermal action on residual tumour and easy radiological surveillance are its advantages.
D. It sets without heat and spares the joint surface
Cement releases heat when it sets, which can harm the cartilage if placed too close.

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.

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Setting heat helps kill residual cells and recurrence is easier to see. Cement gives immediate structural support, its exothermic setting adds a thermal adjuvant effect on residual tumour cells, and recurrence appears as a radiolucent line against radio-dense cement.

Why is "It stimulates new bone formation through osteoinduction" not the answer?

Cement is inert and has no osteoinductive property.

Why is "It is resorbed and replaced by host bone" not the answer?

Cement is not resorbed and persists as a permanent filler.

Why is "It sets without heat and spares the joint surface" not the answer?

Cement releases heat when it sets, which can harm the cartilage if placed too close.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone tumours: cement after curettage of giant cell tumour in Orthopaedics. Bone graft can obscure recurrence and does not offer a thermal effect.

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 Bone tumours: cement after curettage of giant cell tumour?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.