Musculoskeletal imaging: skeletal fluorosis: 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: skeletal fluorosis

Sample item

A farmer from an endemic belt with mottled teeth has back stiffness. Radiographs show dense sclerotic vertebrae, osteophytes, and calcification of the forearm interosseous membrane and the sacrotuberous ligaments. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Skeletal fluorosis

Skeletal fluorosis increases bone density and causes calcification of ligaments and interosseous membranes, with mottled teeth reflecting the same chronic exposure. It occurs in endemic areas of India with high groundwater fluoride.

Option by option

  • A. Osteopetrosis

    Osteopetrosis is a genetic disease with bone-in-bone appearance and fractures, usually presenting in childhood.

  • B. Ankylosing spondylitis

    Ankylosing spondylitis causes sacroiliitis and syndesmophytes, without interosseous membrane calcification or dense bones.

  • C. Skeletal fluorosis (correct)

    Correct. Dense bones with ligament and interosseous membrane calcification in an endemic area indicate fluorosis.

  • D. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis

    Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis shows flowing anterior spinal ossification, not generalised bone sclerosis with dental changes.

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 C, Skeletal fluorosis. Skeletal fluorosis increases bone density and causes calcification of ligaments and interosseous membranes, with mottled teeth reflecting the same chronic exposure.

Why is "Osteopetrosis" not the answer?

Osteopetrosis is a genetic disease with bone-in-bone appearance and fractures, usually presenting in childhood.

Why is "Ankylosing spondylitis" not the answer?

Ankylosing spondylitis causes sacroiliitis and syndesmophytes, without interosseous membrane calcification or dense bones.

Why is "Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis" not the answer?

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis shows flowing anterior spinal ossification, not generalised bone sclerosis with dental changes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: skeletal fluorosis in Radiology. It occurs in endemic areas of India with high groundwater fluoride.

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: skeletal fluorosis?

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.