Bone infection: tuberculous dactylitis: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Bone infection: tuberculous dactylitis

Sample item

A 4-year-old child has a painless fusiform swelling of the proximal phalanx of the index finger. Radiographs show an expanded bone with a cystic lesion. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Tuberculous dactylitis (spina ventosa)

Spina ventosa is tuberculosis of the short tubular bones of the hand and feet in young children, which expands the bone like a balloon. It is usually painless and heals with antituberculous drugs.

Option by option

  • A. Simple gout tophus

    Gout is not seen at this age.

  • B. Osteoid osteoma

    Osteoid osteoma is painful and shows a nidus.

  • C. Giant cell tumour

    Giant cell tumours occur after skeletal maturity.

  • D. Tuberculous dactylitis (spina ventosa) (correct)

    Correct. A cystic expanded phalanx in a child suggests spina ventosa.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Tuberculous dactylitis (spina ventosa). Spina ventosa is tuberculosis of the short tubular bones of the hand and feet in young children, which expands the bone like a balloon.

Why is "Simple gout tophus" not the answer?

Gout is not seen at this age.

Why is "Osteoid osteoma" not the answer?

Osteoid osteoma is painful and shows a nidus.

Why is "Giant cell tumour" not the answer?

Giant cell tumours occur after skeletal maturity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone infection: tuberculous dactylitis in Orthopaedics. It is usually painless and heals with antituberculous drugs.

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 Bone infection: tuberculous dactylitis?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.