Radiotherapy: late effects: 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: late effects

Sample item

A patient treated years ago with radiotherapy to the neck for head and neck cancer presents with a painful exposed necrotic mandible. What is this complication?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Osteoradionecrosis

Osteoradionecrosis follows irradiation of bone with reduced vascularity, often after a dental extraction. The mandible is most commonly affected. Management includes antibiotics, debridement and sometimes hyperbaric oxygen.

Option by option

  • A. Osteoradionecrosis (correct)

    Correct. Irradiated bone becomes avascular and necrotic.

  • B. Osteomyelitis from tuberculosis

    Tuberculous osteomyelitis is not linked to prior irradiation.

  • C. Osteopetrosis

    Osteopetrosis is a genetic condition of dense bone.

  • D. Fibrous dysplasia

    Fibrous dysplasia is developmental.

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.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Osteoradionecrosis. Osteoradionecrosis follows irradiation of bone with reduced vascularity, often after a dental extraction.

Why is "Osteomyelitis from tuberculosis" not the answer?

Tuberculous osteomyelitis is not linked to prior irradiation.

Why is "Osteopetrosis" not the answer?

Osteopetrosis is a genetic condition of dense bone.

Why is "Fibrous dysplasia" not the answer?

Fibrous dysplasia is developmental.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy: late effects in Radiology. The mandible is most commonly affected. Management includes antibiotics, debridement and sometimes hyperbaric oxygen.

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: late effects?

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.