Musculoskeletal imaging: synovial sarcoma: 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: synovial sarcoma

Sample item

A 28-year-old has a slowly enlarging deep swelling behind the knee. A radiograph shows a soft-tissue mass with stippled calcification next to the joint, with normal bones and joint space. MRI shows heterogeneous signal. Which diagnosis is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Synovial sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma is a soft-tissue sarcoma of young adults that arises near large joints, often the knee, and calcifies in a minority of cases. It is rarely truly intra-articular despite the name.

Option by option

  • A. Pigmented villonodular synovitis

    Pigmented villonodular synovitis shows low-signal haemosiderin synovium without calcification.

  • B. Synovial chondromatosis

    Synovial chondromatosis shows multiple small calcified bodies inside the joint, not a periarticular mass.

  • C. Synovial sarcoma (correct)

    Correct. A periarticular soft-tissue mass with stippled calcification in a young adult suggests synovial sarcoma.

  • D. Myositis ossificans

    Myositis ossificans shows peripheral eggshell ossification with a lucent centre after trauma.

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, Synovial sarcoma. Synovial sarcoma is a soft-tissue sarcoma of young adults that arises near large joints, often the knee, and calcifies in a minority of cases.

Why is "Pigmented villonodular synovitis" not the answer?

Pigmented villonodular synovitis shows low-signal haemosiderin synovium without calcification.

Why is "Synovial chondromatosis" not the answer?

Synovial chondromatosis shows multiple small calcified bodies inside the joint, not a periarticular mass.

Why is "Myositis ossificans" not the answer?

Myositis ossificans shows peripheral eggshell ossification with a lucent centre after trauma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: synovial sarcoma in Radiology. It is rarely truly intra-articular despite the name.

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: synovial sarcoma?

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.