Musculoskeletal imaging: chondroblastoma: 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 · Musculoskeletal imaging: chondroblastoma

Sample item

A 15-year-old with an open growth plate has months of knee pain. A radiograph shows a well-defined lytic lesion in the proximal tibial epiphysis with a thin sclerotic rim and fine internal calcification. Which tumour is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Chondroblastoma

Chondroblastoma is a cartilage tumour that arises in the epiphysis of a skeletally immature patient, often with a sclerotic rim and chondroid calcification. Giant cell tumour is also epiphyseal but typically appears after the physis has closed.

Option by option

  • A. Chondroblastoma (correct)

    Correct. An epiphyseal lytic lesion with a sclerotic rim and calcification in an adolescent with an open physis is chondroblastoma.

  • B. Non-ossifying fibroma

    Non-ossifying fibroma is a metaphyseal cortical-based lesion, not an epiphyseal one.

  • C. Giant cell tumour

    Giant cell tumour is epiphyseal and lytic, but it typically occurs after physeal closure and lacks matrix calcification.

  • D. Enchondroma

    Enchondroma is a medullary lesion of the metaphysis or diaphysis, usually in the small bones of the hand.

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 A, Chondroblastoma. Chondroblastoma is a cartilage tumour that arises in the epiphysis of a skeletally immature patient, often with a sclerotic rim and chondroid calcification.

Why is "Non-ossifying fibroma" not the answer?

Non-ossifying fibroma is a metaphyseal cortical-based lesion, not an epiphyseal one.

Why is "Giant cell tumour" not the answer?

Giant cell tumour is epiphyseal and lytic, but it typically occurs after physeal closure and lacks matrix calcification.

Why is "Enchondroma" not the answer?

Enchondroma is a medullary lesion of the metaphysis or diaphysis, usually in the small bones of the hand.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: chondroblastoma in Radiology. Giant cell tumour is also epiphyseal but typically appears after the physis has closed.

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 Musculoskeletal imaging: chondroblastoma?

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.