FMGE 2024 - ENT PYQs Practice Questions

Q: Which structure is most commonly involved in the compression of the anterior ethmoid nerve, leading to anterior ethmoid nerve syndrome?

Middle turbinate. ***Middle turbinate*** - The **anterior ethmoid nerve** runs adjacent to the cribriform plate and descends into the nasal cavity, often close to the structures of the middle meatus. - **Hypertrophy** or severe deviation of the middle turbinate (especially a **concha bullosa**) can cause it to physically press against the lateral nasal wall, entrapping or irritating the anterior ethmoid nerve, leading to characteristic rhinogenic headache and facial pain. - The middle turbinate is the most common site of compression due to its complex anatomy and susceptibility to pneumatization (concha bullosa). *Superior turbinate* - The superior turbinate is located superiorly and posteriorly, often distant from the main compression points of the anterior ethmoid nerve which occur more anteriorly in the nasal cavity. - Contact point headaches from superior turbinate involvement are less common than middle turbinate pathology. *Inferior turbinate* - The inferior turbinate is situated lower in the nasal cavity, far inferior to the course of the anterior ethmoid nerve. - Its primary role is related to airflow regulation and drainage of the **nasolacrimal duct**, not typically neurologic entrapment of the anterior ethmoid nerve. *Nasal septum* - A deviated nasal septum is a frequent cause of **rhinogenic contact point headache**, but it usually causes irritation indirectly by pushing the middle turbinate against the lateral nasal wall. - Therefore, the **middle turbinate** is the direct structure most commonly compressing the anterior ethmoid nerve, even if septal deviation may initiate the process. [Practice more ENT PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A 50-year-old male presents with right-sided serous otitis media and a history of cervical lymphadenopathy. The probable diagnosis is?

Nasopharyngeal cancer. ***Nasopharyngeal cancer***- Presents classically with the triad of **nasal obstruction/epistaxis**, **unilateral serous otitis media** (due to **Eustachian tube obstruction** by the tumor), and **cervical lymphadenopathy** (often metastatic).- The patient's presentation (adult age, unilateral SOM, and history of metastatic lymphadenopathy) is highly suggestive of this malignancy. *Angiofibroma*- This is a highly **vascular benign tumor** almost exclusively found in **adolescent males**, which contradicts the patient's age (50).- Primary symptoms are severe, recurrent **epistaxis** and nasal obstruction, rather than chronic serous otitis media as the dominant feature. *Adenoid hypertrophy*- While it commonly causes serous otitis media by blocking the **Eustachian tube opening**, it is a disease of **children** and is extremely rare to present *de novo* in a 50-year-old adult.- It typically causes **bilateral symptoms** (SOM, snoring) and is not associated with regional metastatic **cervical lymphadenopathy** in this age group. *Tonsillar abscess*- Symptoms typically include severe **sore throat**, **trismus** (difficulty opening the mouth), and a **"hot-potato" voice**, indicating an acute infection.- This is an acute condition that does not typically cause chronic unilateral serous otitis media as its primary or only otologic manifestation. [Practice more ENT PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A 22-year-old male with recurrent bleeding, presents with bowing of posterior maxillary wall on CECT. All are false except?

Tumor vessels lack contractility. ***Tumor vessels lack contractility*** (CORRECT - Most relevant to bleeding) - **Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma** (JNA) consists of numerous thin-walled vessels that are **deficient in smooth muscle** (muscular coat). - This lack of normal vessel musculature prevents effective **vasoconstriction** and hemostasis after trauma or spontaneous rupture, leading to severe and recurrent **epistaxis**. - This is the **key pathological feature** explaining the recurrent bleeding in this patient. *Outgrown the blood supply* (FALSE) - JNA is highly **vascularized**, with profuse blood supply primarily from branches of the **external carotid artery** (maxillary artery, ascending pharyngeal artery). - The tumor has abundant, not inadequate, blood supply—hence the risk of massive hemorrhage during surgical excision. *Bleeding is from the adjacent invading blood vessels* (FALSE) - Bleeding is **intrinsic** to the tumor, emanating from the tumor's own abnormal, thin-walled sinusoidal vessels embedded within its fibrous stroma. - While JNA is locally invasive, the pathological hemorrhage originates from the **delicate tumor vasculature itself**, not from adjacent normal vessels. *It lacks capsule* (TRUE - But less relevant to bleeding) - JNA is indeed **non-encapsulated**, which contributes to its locally aggressive behavior, invasion of surrounding structures, and tendency to recur after incomplete excision. - However, this feature relates more to **local extension and recurrence** rather than the bleeding tendency, which is specifically due to the **non-contractile vessels**. [Practice more ENT PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

Which structure is most commonly involved in the compression of the anterior ethmoid nerve, leading to anterior ethmoid nerve syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Middle turbinate

Answer

Nasal septum

Answer

Superior turbinate

Answer

Inferior turbinate

Question 2

A 50-year-old male presents with right-sided serous otitis media and a history of cervical lymphadenopathy. The probable diagnosis is?

Accepted Answer

Nasopharyngeal cancer

Answer

Tonsillar abscess

Answer

Angiofibroma

Answer

Adenoid hypertrophy

Question 3

A 22-year-old male with recurrent bleeding, presents with bowing of posterior maxillary wall on CECT. All are false except?

Accepted Answer

Tumor vessels lack contractility

Answer

Outgrown the blood supply

Answer

It lacks capsule

Answer

Bleeding is from the adjacent invading blood vessels

FMGE 2024 — ENT