MSK imaging: ankylosing spondylitis: 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 · MSK imaging: ankylosing spondylitis

Sample item

A young man with inflammatory back pain has a lumbar spine radiograph showing squaring of the vertebral bodies, marginal syndesmophytes and bilateral sacroiliac joint fusion. What is this appearance of the spine?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Bamboo spine

Ankylosing spondylitis causes bilateral symmetrical sacroiliitis and marginal syndesmophytes, resulting in a bamboo spine as they bridge the vertebrae. MRI with STIR detects early sacroiliitis before radiographic change. HLA-B27 is positive in most patients.

Option by option

  • A. Bamboo spine (correct)

    Correct. Bridging syndesmophytes with squared vertebrae give a bamboo spine.

  • B. Codfish vertebra

    Codfish vertebrae are biconcave vertebrae in osteoporosis and sickle cell disease.

  • C. Rugger-jersey spine

    Rugger-jersey spine is seen in hyperparathyroidism and osteopetrosis.

  • D. Picture frame vertebra

    A picture frame vertebra is seen in Paget disease.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Bamboo spine. Ankylosing spondylitis causes bilateral symmetrical sacroiliitis and marginal syndesmophytes, resulting in a bamboo spine as they bridge the vertebrae.

Why is "Codfish vertebra" not the answer?

Codfish vertebrae are biconcave vertebrae in osteoporosis and sickle cell disease.

Why is "Rugger-jersey spine" not the answer?

Rugger-jersey spine is seen in hyperparathyroidism and osteopetrosis.

Why is "Picture frame vertebra" not the answer?

A picture frame vertebra is seen in Paget disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests MSK imaging: ankylosing spondylitis in Radiology. MRI with STIR detects early sacroiliitis before radiographic change. HLA-B27 is positive in most patients.

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 MSK imaging: ankylosing spondylitis?

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.