Musculoskeletal imaging: acromegaly of the hand: 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: acromegaly of the hand

Sample item

A man with enlarging hands and jaw has a hand radiograph showing broad spade-like terminal phalangeal tufts, widened joint spaces and thickened soft tissues. Which condition is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Acromegaly

Acromegaly causes spade-like tufts, widened joint spaces from cartilage overgrowth, and thickened heel pad and soft tissues. Resorption of the tufts is instead seen in systemic sclerosis and hyperparathyroidism.

Option by option

  • A. Acromegaly (correct)

    Correct. Spade-like tufts and widened joint spaces with soft-tissue thickening indicate acromegaly.

  • B. Hyperparathyroidism

    Hyperparathyroidism causes subperiosteal and tuft resorption rather than overgrowth.

  • C. Hypothyroidism

    Hypothyroidism causes delayed bone age and epiphyseal dysgenesis.

  • D. Systemic sclerosis

    Systemic sclerosis causes tuft resorption and soft-tissue calcification.

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 A, Acromegaly. Acromegaly causes spade-like tufts, widened joint spaces from cartilage overgrowth, and thickened heel pad and soft tissues.

Why is "Hyperparathyroidism" not the answer?

Hyperparathyroidism causes subperiosteal and tuft resorption rather than overgrowth.

Why is "Hypothyroidism" not the answer?

Hypothyroidism causes delayed bone age and epiphyseal dysgenesis.

Why is "Systemic sclerosis" not the answer?

Systemic sclerosis causes tuft resorption and soft-tissue calcification.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: acromegaly of the hand in Radiology. Resorption of the tufts is instead seen in systemic sclerosis and hyperparathyroidism.

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: acromegaly of the hand?

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.