Musculoskeletal imaging: heterotopic ossification detection: 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: heterotopic ossification detection

Sample item

A patient with traumatic brain injury develops a stiff, warm hip three weeks after the injury, but the pelvis radiograph is normal. Which test can detect early heterotopic ossification?

ATc-99m sulphur colloid scanBDEXA scan of the hipCRepeat plain radiograph the next dayDThree-phase Tc-99m bone scan

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Three-phase Tc-99m bone scan

A three-phase bone scan shows increased flow, pooling and delayed uptake in forming heterotopic bone weeks before it calcifies on radiographs. Serial scans also show when uptake has stabilised, which guides surgical timing.

Option by option

A. Tc-99m sulphur colloid scan
Sulphur colloid is taken up by the reticuloendothelial system and does not show bone formation.
B. DEXA scan of the hip
DEXA measures bone mineral density and does not detect ectopic bone formation.
C. Repeat plain radiograph the next day
A repeat radiograph a day later adds nothing, as ossification has not yet calcified.
D. Three-phase Tc-99m bone scan (correct)
Correct. Bone scintigraphy detects osteoblastic activity weeks before ossification is visible on radiographs.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, Three-phase Tc-99m bone scan. A three-phase bone scan shows increased flow, pooling and delayed uptake in forming heterotopic bone weeks before it calcifies on radiographs.

Why is "Tc-99m sulphur colloid scan" not the answer?

Sulphur colloid is taken up by the reticuloendothelial system and does not show bone formation.

Why is "DEXA scan of the hip" not the answer?

DEXA measures bone mineral density and does not detect ectopic bone formation.

Why is "Repeat plain radiograph the next day" not the answer?

A repeat radiograph a day later adds nothing, as ossification has not yet calcified.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: heterotopic ossification detection in Radiology. Serial scans also show when uptake has stabilised, which guides surgical timing.

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: heterotopic ossification detection?

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.