Musculoskeletal imaging: mucopolysaccharidosis: 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: mucopolysaccharidosis

Sample item

A child with coarse facies, corneal clouding and hepatosplenomegaly has radiographs showing oar-shaped ribs, beaked inferior vertebral bodies and a J-shaped sella. Which condition does this pattern indicate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Mucopolysaccharidosis (dysostosis multiplex)

Dysostosis multiplex combines oar-shaped ribs, beaked vertebrae, a J-shaped sella and short broad metacarpals, typical of the mucopolysaccharidoses such as Hurler syndrome. Visceral and corneal involvement fit the metabolic cause.

Option by option

  • A. Rickets

    Rickets shows metaphyseal cupping and widened physes, not oar ribs and beaked vertebrae.

  • B. Osteopetrosis

    Osteopetrosis shows uniformly dense bones and bone-in-bone appearance.

  • C. Mucopolysaccharidosis (dysostosis multiplex) (correct)

    Correct. Oar-shaped ribs, beaked vertebrae and a J-shaped sella with coarse features indicate a mucopolysaccharidosis.

  • D. Achondroplasia

    Achondroplasia has rhizomelic shortening and narrowing interpedicular distances, without corneal or visceral involvement.

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, Mucopolysaccharidosis (dysostosis multiplex). Dysostosis multiplex combines oar-shaped ribs, beaked vertebrae, a J-shaped sella and short broad metacarpals, typical of the mucopolysaccharidoses such as Hurler syndrome.

Why is "Rickets" not the answer?

Rickets shows metaphyseal cupping and widened physes, not oar ribs and beaked vertebrae.

Why is "Osteopetrosis" not the answer?

Osteopetrosis shows uniformly dense bones and bone-in-bone appearance.

Why is "Achondroplasia" not the answer?

Achondroplasia has rhizomelic shortening and narrowing interpedicular distances, without corneal or visceral involvement.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: mucopolysaccharidosis in Radiology. Visceral and corneal involvement fit the metabolic cause.

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: mucopolysaccharidosis?

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.