Bone tumours: biopsy principles: 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.

Try it

Orthopaedics · Bone tumours: biopsy principles

Sample item

Which principle applies when planning a biopsy of a suspected primary bone sarcoma?

ABiopsy should be done by the treating surgeon team with a longitudinal incision so that the tract can be excised laterBPerform a transverse incision at the most convenient siteCBiopsy at a centre unrelated to the definitive treatment centreDOpen biopsy before any imaging

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Biopsy should be done by the treating surgeon team with a longitudinal incision so that the tract can be excised later

Imaging should precede biopsy, and the biopsy should be planned with the definitive surgery by the sarcoma team. A longitudinal incision placed so that the tract can be excised en bloc avoids contaminating compartments and compromising limb salvage.

Option by option

A. Biopsy should be done by the treating surgeon team with a longitudinal incision so that the tract can be excised later (correct)
Correct. The tract must be excisable with the definitive specimen.
B. Perform a transverse incision at the most convenient site
Transverse incisions contaminate wider tissue and complicate resection.
C. Biopsy at a centre unrelated to the definitive treatment centre
Biopsy at an unrelated centre risks a poorly placed tract.
D. Open biopsy before any imaging
Imaging must precede biopsy because biopsy changes imaging appearance.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Biopsy should be done by the treating surgeon team with a longitudinal incision so that the tract can be excised later. Imaging should precede biopsy, and the biopsy should be planned with the definitive surgery by the sarcoma team.

Why is "Perform a transverse incision at the most convenient site" not the answer?

Transverse incisions contaminate wider tissue and complicate resection.

Why is "Biopsy at a centre unrelated to the definitive treatment centre" not the answer?

Biopsy at an unrelated centre risks a poorly placed tract.

Why is "Open biopsy before any imaging" not the answer?

Imaging must precede biopsy because biopsy changes imaging appearance.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone tumours: biopsy principles in Orthopaedics. A longitudinal incision placed so that the tract can be excised en bloc avoids contaminating compartments and compromising limb salvage.

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 tumours: biopsy principles?

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.