Bone tumours: 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.

Try it

Orthopaedics · Bone tumours

Sample item

A 28-year-old woman has knee pain and swelling. A radiograph shows an eccentric lytic lesion in the epiphysis of the distal femur reaching the subchondral bone, with closed growth plates. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Giant cell tumour

Giant cell tumour occurs at 20 to 40 years in the epiphysis of mature bone, most often around the knee, and appears as an eccentric lytic lesion reaching the subchondral bone. It is locally aggressive and may recur after curettage.

Option by option

  • A. Osteosarcoma

    Osteosarcoma is usually metaphyseal with sunburst periosteal reaction.

  • B. Giant cell tumour (correct)

    An eccentric epiphyseal lytic lesion in a skeletally mature adult is typical.

  • C. Chondroblastoma

    Chondroblastoma also affects the epiphysis but is seen in skeletally immature patients with open growth plates.

  • D. Simple bone cyst

    A simple bone cyst is a central metaphyseal lesion in children.

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 Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is B, Giant cell tumour. Giant cell tumour occurs at 20 to 40 years in the epiphysis of mature bone, most often around the knee, and appears as an eccentric lytic lesion reaching the subchondral bone.

Why is "Osteosarcoma" not the answer?

Osteosarcoma is usually metaphyseal with sunburst periosteal reaction.

Why is "Chondroblastoma" not the answer?

Chondroblastoma also affects the epiphysis but is seen in skeletally immature patients with open growth plates.

Why is "Simple bone cyst" not the answer?

A simple bone cyst is a central metaphyseal lesion in children.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone tumours in Orthopaedics. It is locally aggressive and may recur after curettage.

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 Bone tumours?

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.