Musculoskeletal imaging: calcific tendinitis: 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: calcific tendinitis

Sample item

A 45-year-old woman has sudden severe shoulder pain and cannot abduct the arm. A radiograph shows a dense, fluffy calcific deposit just above the greater tuberosity. What is the deposit?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hydroxyapatite in the supraspinatus tendon

Calcific tendinitis is the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals, most often in the supraspinatus tendon near its insertion. The acute painful phase occurs during resorption, and deposits often disappear spontaneously.

Option by option

  • A. Hydroxyapatite in the supraspinatus tendon (correct)

    Correct. Hydroxyapatite deposition in the supraspinatus near the greater tuberosity is calcific tendinitis.

  • B. Heterotopic bone in the deltoid muscle

    Heterotopic ossification forms mature bone in muscle after trauma, not a fluffy tendon deposit.

  • C. Monosodium urate in the acromioclavicular joint

    Monosodium urate crystals form tophi and erosions in gout and do not give this tendon deposit.

  • D. Calcium pyrophosphate in the glenohumeral cartilage

    Calcium pyrophosphate causes chondrocalcinosis within cartilage, not a tendon deposit.

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 A, Hydroxyapatite in the supraspinatus tendon. Calcific tendinitis is the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals, most often in the supraspinatus tendon near its insertion.

Why is "Heterotopic bone in the deltoid muscle" not the answer?

Heterotopic ossification forms mature bone in muscle after trauma, not a fluffy tendon deposit.

Why is "Monosodium urate in the acromioclavicular joint" not the answer?

Monosodium urate crystals form tophi and erosions in gout and do not give this tendon deposit.

Why is "Calcium pyrophosphate in the glenohumeral cartilage" not the answer?

Calcium pyrophosphate causes chondrocalcinosis within cartilage, not a tendon deposit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: calcific tendinitis in Radiology. The acute painful phase occurs during resorption, and deposits often disappear spontaneously.

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: calcific tendinitis?

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.