The condition primarily diagnosed by a skeletal/bone survey is:

• A. Osteoporosis
• B. Multiple myeloma
• C. Rheumatoid arthritis
• D. Paget's disease

Answer: (B)

A skeletal or bone survey is a series of X-rays used primarily to evaluate bone health and detect conditions that may affect the skeleton. Multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that originates in the bone marrow, often leads to various skeletal manifestations such as lytic bone lesions, which are areas where bone has been destroyed. The imaging findings in multiple myeloma are key for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.

In a skeletal survey, the characteristic appearance of multiple myeloma—such as the presence of "punched-out" lesions or diffuse osteoporosis—can be identified, making it an essential tool in diagnosing this condition. The survey provides critical information regarding the extent of skeletal involvement, which is crucial for staging the disease and determining treatment options.

Other conditions listed may affect bone health but are not primarily diagnosed through a skeletal survey. For instance, osteoporosis generally requires specific bone density measurements rather than a skeletal survey. Rheumatoid arthritis is typically assessed using different imaging techniques focused on joint evaluation, and while Paget's disease can also show changes in bones, it does not have the distinctive features that a skeletal survey would primarily reveal compared to multiple myeloma.