Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: heterotopic ossification prophylaxis: 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 · Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: heterotopic ossification prophylaxis

Sample item

A man undergoes surgery for an acetabular fracture and has a high risk of heterotopic ossification. Which radiotherapy-based approach can reduce this risk?

AWhole-body irradiationBIntracavitary brachytherapy to the jointCA 60 Gy radical course to the hipDA single low-dose fraction of postoperative radiotherapy to the hip

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. A single low-dose fraction of postoperative radiotherapy to the hip

Low-dose radiotherapy delivered within days of surgery, often as a single fraction of about 7 Gy, prevents differentiation of primitive mesenchymal cells into bone-forming cells. NSAIDs are an alternative.

Option by option

A. Whole-body irradiation
Whole-body irradiation would be dangerous and has no role in this setting.
B. Intracavitary brachytherapy to the joint
Brachytherapy is used for gynaecological and prostate tumours, not this indication.
C. A 60 Gy radical course to the hip
A radical dose of 60 Gy would cause severe late complications and is unnecessary for a benign indication.
D. A single low-dose fraction of postoperative radiotherapy to the hip (correct)
Correct. A single low-dose fraction early after surgery inhibits bone-forming cell differentiation.

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, A single low-dose fraction of postoperative radiotherapy to the hip. Low-dose radiotherapy delivered within days of surgery, often as a single fraction of about 7 Gy, prevents differentiation of primitive mesenchymal cells into bone-forming cells.

Why is "Whole-body irradiation" not the answer?

Whole-body irradiation would be dangerous and has no role in this setting.

Why is "Intracavitary brachytherapy to the joint" not the answer?

Brachytherapy is used for gynaecological and prostate tumours, not this indication.

Why is "A 60 Gy radical course to the hip" not the answer?

A radical dose of 60 Gy would cause severe late complications and is unnecessary for a benign indication.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: heterotopic ossification prophylaxis in Radiology. NSAIDs are an alternative.

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 Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: heterotopic ossification prophylaxis?

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.