MSK imaging: Perthes disease: 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: Perthes disease

Sample item

A 6-year-old boy has a limp and hip pain. A pelvis radiograph shows a small, dense, flattened femoral epiphysis with a subchondral lucent line. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

Perthes disease is idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral capital epiphysis in children aged 4 to 8, showing a sclerotic fragmented flattened epiphysis and a crescent sign. SCFE occurs in obese adolescents. Management is containment depending on age and severity.

Option by option

  • A. Septic arthritis

    Septic arthritis shows effusion and joint space widening with systemic illness.

  • B. Developmental dysplasia of the hip

    DDH presents in infancy with a shallow acetabulum and displaced femoral head.

  • C. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

    SCFE occurs in adolescents with posterior displacement of the epiphysis.

  • D. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (correct)

    Correct. A dense, flattened epiphysis in a school-age boy is Perthes 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 D, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Perthes disease is idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral capital epiphysis in children aged 4 to 8, showing a sclerotic fragmented flattened epiphysis and a crescent sign.

Why is "Septic arthritis" not the answer?

Septic arthritis shows effusion and joint space widening with systemic illness.

Why is "Developmental dysplasia of the hip" not the answer?

DDH presents in infancy with a shallow acetabulum and displaced femoral head.

Why is "Slipped capital femoral epiphysis" not the answer?

SCFE occurs in adolescents with posterior displacement of the epiphysis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests MSK imaging: Perthes disease in Radiology. SCFE occurs in obese adolescents. Management is containment depending on age and severity.

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: Perthes disease?

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.