Bone tumours: osteoblastoma: 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.

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Orthopaedics · Bone tumours: osteoblastoma

Sample item

A 17-year-old has back pain and scoliosis, and CT shows an expansile lesion with a nidus larger than 2 cm in the posterior elements of a vertebra. The pain is poorly relieved by aspirin. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Osteoblastoma

Osteoblastoma resembles osteoid osteoma histologically but is larger (over 2 cm), more often in the spine's posterior elements, and the pain is less responsive to NSAIDs. Treatment is curettage or excision.

Option by option

  • A. Aneurysmal bone cyst

    An aneurysmal bone cyst shows fluid levels.

  • B. Chordoma

    Chordoma occurs at the clivus or sacrum in older adults.

  • C. Osteoblastoma (correct)

    Correct. A larger nidus in the posterior elements with poor NSAID response suggests osteoblastoma.

  • D. Osteoid osteoma

    Osteoid osteoma has a nidus under 1.5 cm and pain relieved by aspirin.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Osteoblastoma. Osteoblastoma resembles osteoid osteoma histologically but is larger (over 2 cm), more often in the spine's posterior elements, and the pain is less responsive to NSAIDs.

Why is "Aneurysmal bone cyst" not the answer?

An aneurysmal bone cyst shows fluid levels.

Why is "Chordoma" not the answer?

Chordoma occurs at the clivus or sacrum in older adults.

Why is "Osteoid osteoma" not the answer?

Osteoid osteoma has a nidus under 1.5 cm and pain relieved by aspirin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone tumours: osteoblastoma in Orthopaedics. Treatment is curettage or excision.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: osteoblastoma?

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.