Musculoskeletal imaging: 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

Sample item

A 'bamboo spine' on a plain radiograph is characteristic of:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ankylosing spondylitis

Syndesmophytes bridging the vertebral bodies and fusion of the sacroiliac joints give the bamboo spine of ankylosing spondylitis, associated with HLA-B27. Sacroiliitis is often the earliest radiographic change.

Option by option

  • A. Paget disease

    Paget disease causes thickened, sclerotic bone, sometimes with a 'picture frame' vertebra.

  • B. Scheuermann disease

    Scheuermann disease causes anterior wedging of vertebrae and kyphosis.

  • C. Ankylosing spondylitis (correct)

    Correct. Marginal syndesmophytes fuse the spine into a rigid column.

  • D. Osteoporosis

    Osteoporosis causes loss of bone density and vertebral collapse.

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 C, Ankylosing spondylitis. Syndesmophytes bridging the vertebral bodies and fusion of the sacroiliac joints give the bamboo spine of ankylosing spondylitis, associated with HLA-B27.

Why is "Paget disease" not the answer?

Paget disease causes thickened, sclerotic bone, sometimes with a 'picture frame' vertebra.

Why is "Scheuermann disease" not the answer?

Scheuermann disease causes anterior wedging of vertebrae and kyphosis.

Why is "Osteoporosis" not the answer?

Osteoporosis causes loss of bone density and vertebral collapse.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging in Radiology. Sacroiliitis is often the earliest radiographic change.

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?

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.