INI-CET 2022 — ENT

Q: A 35-year-old female patient presents with complaints of nasal obstruction and post-nasal drip. There is a past history of FESS for failed conservative management 5 years ago. Uncinectomy and maxillary ostium dilation was done during the previous FESS. A DNE done now shows patent ostia and mucosal edema of the maxillary sinus lining. What is the next best step in management? FESS - Functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Tissue biopsy for histopathological examination. ***Tissue biopsy for histopathological examination*** - The patient has persistent **mucosal edema** despite previous FESS and patent ostia, raising suspicion for less common etiologies such as **eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis** or even a **neoplastic process**, which require histological confirmation. - A biopsy is essential to differentiate between inflammatory conditions not responsive to standard medical therapy and other distinct pathologies, guiding further specific treatment. *Immediate revision FESS* - Revision FESS is usually considered when there is evidence of **recurrent obstruction** or **sinus scarring**, neither of which is indicated by the "patent ostia" observed during DNE. - Performing FESS without addressing the underlying cause of persistent mucosal edema is unlikely to be curative and risks repeat failure. *High-dose systemic steroids* - While systemic steroids can reduce inflammation, persistent symptoms despite prior surgical intervention and observed mucosal edema warrant investigating the underlying cause before resorting to high-dose systemic therapy. - Prolonged use of high-dose systemic steroids carries significant side effects and should be reserved for cases where the etiology is well-defined and responsive, such as severe asthma or certain inflammatory conditions. *Topical antifungal therapy* - While fungal elements can contribute to rhinosinusitis, the broad application of topical antifungals without specific evidence of fungal infection (e.g., fungal balls, invasive fungal sinusitis) is not standard initial management. - The description of "mucosal edema" and absence of specific fungal features (like thick, inspissated mucin or fungal hyphae) makes empirical antifungal therapy less appropriate as the primary next step. [Practice more ENT PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: What test is not used for testing olfaction?

Arnold stick test. ***Arnold stick test*** - The **Arnold stick test** is primarily used for evaluating **hearing**, specifically for assessing **eardrum mobility** and the integrity of the **ossicular chain**. - It involves a small speculum connected to a rubber bulb, and the movement of the eardrum is observed with a microscope, making it unrelated to olfaction. *UPSIT* - The **University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT)** is a widely used and well-validated test for **olfactory function**. - It consists of 40 scratch-and-sniff odorants, and the patient identifies each odor from a set of four choices. *CC-SIT* - The **Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT)** is a shorter, 12-item version derived from the UPSIT, designed for **cross-cultural applicability** in testing olfaction. - It also uses a scratch-and-sniff method to assess the ability to identify various odors. *Smell diskettes* - **Smell diskettes**, or smell identification tests using diskettes, are various types of **odor identification kits** where different odors are impregnated onto small disks. - These are common tools used to assess **olfaction** by requiring patients to identify specific smells. [Practice more ENT PYQs on OnCourse]

2 Previous Year Questions with Answers & Explanations

Questions

A 35-year-old female patient presents with complaints of nasal obstruction and post-nasal drip. There is a past history of FESS for failed conservative management 5 years ago. Uncinectomy and maxillary ostium dilation was done during the previous FESS. A DNE done now shows patent ostia and mucosal edema of the maxillary sinus lining. What is the next best step in management? FESS - Functional endoscopic sinus surgery

What test is not used for testing olfaction?

INI-CET 2022 - ENT INI-CET Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 1: A 35-year-old female patient presents with complaints of nasal obstruction and post-nasal drip. There is a past history of FESS for failed conservative management 5 years ago. Uncinectomy and maxillary ostium dilation was done during the previous FESS. A DNE done now shows patent ostia and mucosal edema of the maxillary sinus lining. What is the next best step in management? FESS - Functional endoscopic sinus surgery

A. Tissue biopsy for histopathological examination (Correct Answer)
B. Immediate revision FESS
C. High-dose systemic steroids
D. Topical antifungal therapy

Explanation: ***Tissue biopsy for histopathological examination*** - The patient has persistent **mucosal edema** despite previous FESS and patent ostia, raising suspicion for less common etiologies such as **eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis** or even a **neoplastic process**, which require histological confirmation. - A biopsy is essential to differentiate between inflammatory conditions not responsive to standard medical therapy and other distinct pathologies, guiding further specific treatment. *Immediate revision FESS* - Revision FESS is usually considered when there is evidence of **recurrent obstruction** or **sinus scarring**, neither of which is indicated by the "patent ostia" observed during DNE. - Performing FESS without addressing the underlying cause of persistent mucosal edema is unlikely to be curative and risks repeat failure. *High-dose systemic steroids* - While systemic steroids can reduce inflammation, persistent symptoms despite prior surgical intervention and observed mucosal edema warrant investigating the underlying cause before resorting to high-dose systemic therapy. - Prolonged use of high-dose systemic steroids carries significant side effects and should be reserved for cases where the etiology is well-defined and responsive, such as severe asthma or certain inflammatory conditions. *Topical antifungal therapy* - While fungal elements can contribute to rhinosinusitis, the broad application of topical antifungals without specific evidence of fungal infection (e.g., fungal balls, invasive fungal sinusitis) is not standard initial management. - The description of "mucosal edema" and absence of specific fungal features (like thick, inspissated mucin or fungal hyphae) makes empirical antifungal therapy less appropriate as the primary next step.

Question 2: What test is not used for testing olfaction?

A. Arnold stick test (Correct Answer)
B. UPSIT
C. CC-SIT
D. Smell diskettes

Explanation: ***Arnold stick test*** - The **Arnold stick test** is primarily used for evaluating **hearing**, specifically for assessing **eardrum mobility** and the integrity of the **ossicular chain**. - It involves a small speculum connected to a rubber bulb, and the movement of the eardrum is observed with a microscope, making it unrelated to olfaction. *UPSIT* - The **University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT)** is a widely used and well-validated test for **olfactory function**. - It consists of 40 scratch-and-sniff odorants, and the patient identifies each odor from a set of four choices. *CC-SIT* - The **Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT)** is a shorter, 12-item version derived from the UPSIT, designed for **cross-cultural applicability** in testing olfaction. - It also uses a scratch-and-sniff method to assess the ability to identify various odors. *Smell diskettes* - **Smell diskettes**, or smell identification tests using diskettes, are various types of **odor identification kits** where different odors are impregnated onto small disks. - These are common tools used to assess **olfaction** by requiring patients to identify specific smells.