Paediatric: imaging for DDH: 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 · Paediatric: imaging for DDH

Sample item

A 3-month-old girl with a breech birth history has a suspicious hip examination. Which is the preferred imaging method?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ultrasound of the hip

The femoral head is cartilaginous until 4 to 6 months of age, so radiographs are unreliable. Ultrasound (Graf method) visualises the cartilaginous acetabulum and head, and is the investigation of choice before the ossific nucleus appears.

Option by option

  • A. Ultrasound of the hip (correct)

    Correct. Ultrasound is the modality of choice under 4 to 6 months.

  • B. CT scan

    CT involves radiation and is not used.

  • C. Bone scan

    A bone scan has no role.

  • D. Plain pelvic radiograph

    Plain films miss the unossified head at this age.

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 A, Ultrasound of the hip. The femoral head is cartilaginous until 4 to 6 months of age, so radiographs are unreliable.

Why is "CT scan" not the answer?

CT involves radiation and is not used.

Why is "Bone scan" not the answer?

A bone scan has no role.

Why is "Plain pelvic radiograph" not the answer?

Plain films miss the unossified head at this age.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric: imaging for DDH in Orthopaedics. Ultrasound (Graf method) visualises the cartilaginous acetabulum and head, and is the investigation of choice before the ossific nucleus appears.

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 Paediatric: imaging for DDH?

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.