INI-CET 2025 - ENT PYQs Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following diagnoses can cause stridor in infants? 1. Laryngomalacia 2. Congenital hemangioma 3. Subglottic stenosis 4. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP)

1, 3 and 4. ***1, 3 and 4*** - This option correctly identifies the three most common and clinically significant causes of stridor in infants - **Laryngomalacia (1)** is the most common cause of congenital stridor (60-75% of cases), presenting with inspiratory stridor that worsens with agitation - **Subglottic stenosis (3)** is the second most common cause of congenital stridor, presenting with biphasic stridor and may be congenital or acquired - **Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis/RRP (4)** caused by HPV (types 6 and 11) causes progressive airway obstruction with stridor and hoarseness - While congenital (subglottic) hemangiomas can cause stridor, they are less common than the above three conditions and typically present between 1-3 months of age *Incorrect: 1 and 3* - This option is incomplete as it excludes **RRP (4)**, which is an important cause of pediatric airway obstruction - RRP typically presents in early childhood and requires serial surgical debulking *Incorrect: 2 and 3* - This option incorrectly excludes **Laryngomalacia (1)**, which is the single most common cause of stridor in infants - Missing laryngomalacia in the differential diagnosis would be a significant oversight *Incorrect: 1 and 4* - This option fails to include **Subglottic stenosis (3)**, the second most common cause of congenital stridor - Subglottic stenosis can be life-threatening and requires urgent evaluation and management [Practice more ENT PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Choose the most appropriate candidates for cochlear implants: 1. Ototoxicity 2. Congenital hearing loss 3. Ossicular fixation 4. Otosclerosis

1 and 2. ### Explanation The core principle of a **Cochlear Implant (CI)** is to bypass a non-functional or damaged cochlea (specifically the hair cells) and directly stimulate the **Auditory Nerve**. Therefore, the ideal candidate must have **Severe to Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)** with a functioning auditory nerve. #### Why 1 and 2 are Correct: * **Ototoxicity (1):** Drugs like aminoglycosides or cisplatin cause permanent damage to the **outer and inner hair cells** of the cochlea, resulting in bilateral SNHL. Since the auditory nerve remains intact, these patients are excellent candidates for CI. * **Congenital Hearing Loss (2):** Children born with bilateral profound SNHL (Pre-lingual) are the primary target for CI. Early implantation (ideally before age 2) is crucial for the development of speech and language due to **neural plasticity**. #### Why 3 and 4 are Incorrect: * **Ossicular Fixation (3) & Otosclerosis (4):** These conditions primarily cause **Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL)** because the pathology lies in the middle ear (mechanical conduction). * **Otosclerosis** is typically managed with a **Stapedectomy** or hearing aids. * *Note:* While "Far-advanced Otosclerosis" can lead to SNHL, it is not the primary or most common indication compared to the options provided. --- ### High-Yield Clinical Pearls for INI-CET: * **Site of Action:** CI bypasses the **Organ of Corti** to stimulate the **Spiral Ganglion** of the auditory nerve. * **Prerequisite:** A visible **Auditory Nerve** on MRI (Internal Auditory Canal) is mandatory before surgery. * **Contraindications:** * **Michel Aplasia** (Complete absence of inner ear structures). * **Aplasia of the Auditory Nerve**. * Active middle ear infections. * **Mondini Dysplasia:** This is a partial aplasia of the cochlea (1.5 turns instead of 2.5); these patients **can** still receive a CI. [Practice more ENT PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A 50-year-old female complains of an episode of acute vertigo with vomiting and unsteadiness and light-headedness, which was triggered by changing her head position in the morning. She denied hearing loss, recent viral illness, medication use, head injury, or trauma. Choose the most appropriate diagnosis:

BPPV. ### **Explanation: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)** The clinical presentation of **recurrent, brief episodes of vertigo triggered by head movements** (like rolling over in bed or getting up in the morning) without associated hearing loss is classic for **BPPV**. #### **Why BPPV is the Correct Answer** * **Mechanism:** It is caused by **canalolithiasis** (displaced otoconia, usually from the utricle into the **posterior semicircular canal**). * **Key Features:** Vertigo is **positional**, lasts for **seconds to minutes**, and is associated with autonomic symptoms like nausea/vomiting. * **Absence of "Red Flags":** The lack of hearing loss, tinnitus, or recent viral prodrome helps differentiate it from other vestibular disorders. #### **Why Other Options are Incorrect** * **Vestibular Neuritis:** Presents as a **prolonged, single episode** of severe vertigo (lasting days) often following a **viral upper respiratory infection**. It is not transiently triggered by head movement. * **Acoustic Neuroma:** A slow-growing tumor of the CN VIII. It typically presents with **progressive unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)** and tinnitus rather than acute positional vertigo. * **Meniere Disease:** Characterized by a triad of **episodic vertigo (lasting 20 mins to hours)**, fluctuating SNHL, and **tinnitus/aural fullness**. #### **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for INI-CET** * **Gold Standard Diagnosis:** **Dix-Hallpike Maneuver** (look for geotropic, rotatory nystagmus with latency and fatigability). * **Treatment of Choice:** **Epley Maneuver** (Canalith Repositioning Procedure). * **Most Common Canal Involved:** **Posterior Semicircular Canal** (90% of cases). * **Nystagmus Characteristics:** In BPPV, the nystagmus is **paroxysmal** (starts after a few seconds) and **fatigable** (decreases with repeated testing). [Practice more ENT PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

Which of the following statements regarding Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA) is NOT typically correct or recommended?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy under anesthesia to diagnose

Answer

Recurrent epistaxis

Answer

Unilateral nasal obstruction

Answer

Exclusively to adolescent boys

Question 2

Which of the following diagnoses can cause stridor in infants?

1. Laryngomalacia
2. Congenital hemangioma
3. Subglottic stenosis
4. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP)

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4

Question 3

Choose the most appropriate candidates for cochlear implants:
1. Ototoxicity
2. Congenital hearing loss
3. Ossicular fixation
4. Otosclerosis

Accepted Answer

1 and 2

Answer

3 and 4

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4

Question 4

A 50-year-old female complains of an episode of acute vertigo with vomiting and unsteadiness and light-headedness, which was triggered by changing her head position in the morning. She denied hearing loss, recent viral illness, medication use, head injury, or trauma. Choose the most appropriate diagnosis:

Accepted Answer

BPPV

Answer

Vestibular neuritis

Answer

Acoustic neuroma

Answer

Meniere disease

Question 5

Which of the following is incorrect regarding Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA)?

Accepted Answer

Unilateral cervical lymph nodes are a common feature

Answer

Biopsy is contraindicated

Answer

Epistaxis is the most common presenting symptom

Answer

Only seen in young boys

INI-CET 2025 — ENT