Spine & Arthritis · NEET PG Preparation Orthopaedics
A 45-year-old man who is an intravenous drug user presents with persistent, severe axial neck pain and low-grade fever. Examination reveals localized…
Practice question from Spine & Arthritis (NEET PG Preparation Orthopaedics), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.
medium · MCQ · Q-53452C
A 45-year-old man who is an intravenous drug user presents with persistent, severe axial neck pain and low-grade fever. Examination reveals localized tenderness over the lower cervical spine and painful range of motion. Laboratory tests show an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). What is the most sensitive and specific imaging modality for early diagnosis of this condition?
- A.Plain radiography
- B.Computed tomography (CT) scan
- C.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)Correct answer
- D.Technetium-99m bone scan
Solution
The patient has infectious spondylodiscitis. MRI is the modality of choice for suspected spinal infections due to its superior sensitivity and specificity in detecting early inflammatory changes in the bone marrow and disc spaces.
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