Bone tumours: benign: 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: benign

Sample item

A radiograph of the proximal phalanx of a 30-year-old shows a lytic lesion with stippled, popcorn-like calcification, found after a minor fracture. What is the likely tumour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Enchondroma

Enchondroma is a benign cartilage tumour and the commonest tumour of the small bones of the hand. Its matrix calcification gives the popcorn or stippled appearance, and it often presents as a pathological fracture.

Option by option

  • A. Osteochondroma

    Osteochondroma is a bony outgrowth with a cartilage cap, continuous with the medullary cavity.

  • B. Enchondroma (correct)

    Correct. Cartilaginous matrix calcification in a hand phalanx is typical of enchondroma.

  • C. Simple bone cyst

    A simple bone cyst is a lucent lesion without matrix calcification, in long bones of children.

  • D. Osteoid osteoma

    Osteoid osteoma is a small nidus with surrounding sclerosis and night pain.

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 B, Enchondroma. Enchondroma is a benign cartilage tumour and the commonest tumour of the small bones of the hand.

Why is "Osteochondroma" not the answer?

Osteochondroma is a bony outgrowth with a cartilage cap, continuous with the medullary cavity.

Why is "Simple bone cyst" not the answer?

A simple bone cyst is a lucent lesion without matrix calcification, in long bones of children.

Why is "Osteoid osteoma" not the answer?

Osteoid osteoma is a small nidus with surrounding sclerosis and night pain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone tumours: benign in Orthopaedics. Its matrix calcification gives the popcorn or stippled appearance, and it often presents as a pathological fracture.

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: benign?

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.