Musculoskeletal imaging: haemochromatosis arthropathy: 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: haemochromatosis arthropathy

Sample item

A 50-year-old man with diabetes, bronze skin and hepatomegaly has hand pain. Radiographs show hook-like osteophytes at the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints with chondrocalcinosis. Which diagnosis fits?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Haemochromatosis arthropathy

Haemochromatosis causes an arthropathy of the second and third MCP joints with hook-like osteophytes and often calcium pyrophosphate deposition. Hook osteophytes at these joints are unusual in primary osteoarthritis, which usually spares the MCP joints.

Option by option

  • A. Rheumatoid arthritis

    Rheumatoid arthritis causes marginal erosions with osteopenia, not hook osteophytes.

  • B. Primary osteoarthritis

    Primary osteoarthritis of the hand favours the DIP, PIP and first carpometacarpal joints and spares the MCP joints.

  • C. Haemochromatosis arthropathy (correct)

    Correct. Hook osteophytes at the second and third MCP joints with systemic features indicate haemochromatosis arthropathy.

  • D. Gout

    Gout produces punched-out erosions with overhanging edges, not hook osteophytes.

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, Haemochromatosis arthropathy. Haemochromatosis causes an arthropathy of the second and third MCP joints with hook-like osteophytes and often calcium pyrophosphate deposition.

Why is "Rheumatoid arthritis" not the answer?

Rheumatoid arthritis causes marginal erosions with osteopenia, not hook osteophytes.

Why is "Primary osteoarthritis" not the answer?

Primary osteoarthritis of the hand favours the DIP, PIP and first carpometacarpal joints and spares the MCP joints.

Why is "Gout" not the answer?

Gout produces punched-out erosions with overhanging edges, not hook osteophytes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: haemochromatosis arthropathy in Radiology. Hook osteophytes at these joints are unusual in primary osteoarthritis, which usually spares the MCP joints.

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: haemochromatosis arthropathy?

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.