Musculoskeletal imaging: systemic sclerosis: 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 · Musculoskeletal imaging: systemic sclerosis

Sample item

A woman with Raynaud phenomenon and tight skin has a hand radiograph showing resorption of the distal phalangeal tufts with soft tissue calcification. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Systemic sclerosis

Acro-osteolysis of the terminal tufts with subcutaneous calcinosis is typical of systemic sclerosis. Rheumatoid arthritis shows marginal erosions and periarticular osteopenia, gout shows punched-out erosions with overhanging edges, and osteoarthritis shows osteophytes and joint space narrowing.

Option by option

  • A. Systemic sclerosis (correct)

    Correct. Acro-osteolysis with calcinosis points to systemic sclerosis.

  • B. Rheumatoid arthritis

    Rheumatoid arthritis causes marginal erosions with periarticular osteopenia.

  • C. Osteoarthritis

    Osteoarthritis causes joint space narrowing, sclerosis and osteophytes.

  • D. Gout

    Gout causes punched-out erosions with overhanging edges.

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, Systemic sclerosis. Acro-osteolysis of the terminal tufts with subcutaneous calcinosis is typical of systemic sclerosis.

Why is "Rheumatoid arthritis" not the answer?

Rheumatoid arthritis causes marginal erosions with periarticular osteopenia.

Why is "Osteoarthritis" not the answer?

Osteoarthritis causes joint space narrowing, sclerosis and osteophytes.

Why is "Gout" not the answer?

Gout causes punched-out erosions with overhanging edges.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: systemic sclerosis in Radiology. Rheumatoid arthritis shows marginal erosions and periarticular osteopenia, gout shows punched-out erosions with overhanging edges, and osteoarthritis shows osteophytes and joint space narrowing.

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 Musculoskeletal imaging: systemic sclerosis?

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.