NEET-PG 2013 - ENT Practice Questions

Q: What is the most common fungal cause of otomycosis?

Aspergillus. ***Aspergillus*** - **Aspergillus niger** and **Aspergillus flavus** are the most frequently isolated fungal species in cases of **otomycosis**. - These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments like the **external auditory canal** and produce spores that can cause infection. *Histoplasma* - **Histoplasma capsulatum** is associated with **histoplasmosis**, a systemic fungal infection that primarily affects the lungs. - It is not a common cause of otomycosis, as it typically causes **pulmonary and disseminated disease**, not external ear canal infections. *Rhinosporidium* - **Rhinosporidium seeberi** causes **rhinosporidiosis**, a chronic granulomatous disease that primarily affects the **mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx**. - While it can affect other mucous membranes, it is not a typical cause of **otomycosis**. *Actinomyces* - **Actinomyces** is a genus of **gram-positive bacteria**, not fungi, known for causing **actinomycosis**. - Actinomycosis is characterized by **abscess formation and fistulas** and does not typically present as otomycosis.

Q: What are the potential causes of myringosclerosis?

Chronic inflammation from recurrent infections. ***Chronic inflammation from recurrent infections*** - **Myringosclerosis** is often a consequence of **chronic inflammation** and repair processes in the tympanic membrane (eardrum), commonly triggered by **recurrent otitis media** (middle ear infections). - The inflammatory exudates and subsequent healing lead to the deposition of **calcium and phosphate crystals** within the fibrous layer of the tympanic membrane, causing it to become stiff and opaque. *Genetic predisposition* - While genetics can play a role in some ear conditions, **myringosclerosis** is primarily an **acquired condition** rather than one solely determined by genetic factors. - No specific strong genetic link has been identified as a primary cause compared to environmental triggers. *Otosclerosis* - **Otosclerosis** is a condition affecting the **ossicles** (typically the stapes) in the middle ear, leading to conductive hearing loss due to abnormal bone growth, not directly affecting the tympanic membrane. - Myringosclerosis involves the eardrum itself, characterized by **calcification of the tympanic membrane**, which is distinct from the pathology of otosclerosis. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **chronic inflammation from recurrent infections** is a well-established cause of myringosclerosis. - The presence of a correct answer negates this choice.

Q: Which of the following can cause unilateral sensorineural hearing loss?

Acoustic neuroma. ***Acoustic neuroma*** - An **acoustic neuroma** (vestibular schwannoma) is a benign tumor that grows on the **vestibulocochlear nerve** (cranial nerve VIII), which can compress the nerve and cause progressive unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. - Other associated symptoms often include **tinnitus** and **balance disturbances** (vertigo or unsteadiness). *Coronavirus* - While some reports suggest a rare association between **COVID-19** and sudden sensorineural hearing loss due to viral inflammation or vascular compromise, it is not a common or definitive cause of progressive unilateral hearing loss. - Hearing loss directly due to coronavirus infection is typically acute and bilateral, rather than chronic and unilateral. *Pertussis* - **Pertussis** (whooping cough) is a bacterial respiratory infection that does not typically cause sensorineural hearing loss. - Complications are primarily pulmonary, neurological (e.g., seizures due to hypoxia), or nutritional, not otological. *Rotavirus* - **Rotavirus** causes severe gastroenteritis, particularly in infants and young children. - There is no established link between rotavirus infection and sensorineural hearing loss.

Q: Which of the following statements about conductive deafness is true?

Rinne's test is negative in conductive deafness.. ***Rinne's test is negative in conductive deafness.*** - A **negative Rinne's test** indicates that **bone conduction is heard longer or equally as long as air conduction** in the affected ear. - This occurs because the sound transmission through the middle ear is impaired due to the conductive hearing loss. *Weber's test shows no lateralization in conductive deafness.* - In unilateral conductive deafness, the **Weber's test will lateralize to the affected ear**, not show no lateralization. - This is because the sound is perceived as louder in the ear with the conductive loss due to the masking effect of ambient noise being reduced. *There is no decay in threshold tone in conductive deafness.* - **Threshold tone decay** is typically associated with **retrocochlear lesions** (sensorineural hearing loss), not conductive deafness. - Conductive hearing loss is a mechanical problem that does not affect the persistence of auditory nerve firing. *Air conduction is always completely absent in conductive deafness during Rinne's test.* - While air conduction is poorer than bone conduction (making Rinne's negative), it is **not always completely absent**. - In a profound conductive loss, air conduction might be near absent, but in milder cases, it is simply significantly reduced compared to bone conduction.

Q: Which part of the larynx is most commonly involved in tuberculosis (TB)?

Posterior. ***Posterior*** - The **posterior larynx**, specifically the **arytenoids** and **interarytenoid area**, is the most common site for tuberculosis involvement. - This region is susceptible due to its rich **lymphatic supply** and direct exposure to infected secretions from the lungs. *Anterior* - While TB can affect any part of the larynx, the **anterior laryngeal structures** are less frequently the primary site of involvement. - The vocal cords, which are in the anterior-middle aspect, are less commonly affected initially compared to the posterior structures. *Middle* - The middle part of the larynx, including the **vocal cords**, is not the predominant site for initial tuberculous lesions. - Involvement here often occurs as the disease progresses from more commonly affected areas. *Anywhere* - Although TB can theoretically affect any part of the larynx, it demonstrates a strong predilection for the **posterior laryngeal region**. - Stating "anywhere" does not accurately reflect the statistically significant preference for specific anatomical sites.

Q: What imaging study is typically required before endoscopic sinus surgery?

CT of PNS. ***CT of PNS*** - A **CT scan of the paranasal sinuses** is crucial prior to endoscopic sinus surgery for detailed anatomical mapping. - It helps identify **key anatomical landmarks**, variations, and the extent of disease, minimizing surgical risks. *MRI of paranasal sinus* - **MRI** is generally reserved for evaluating **soft tissue abnormalities**, such as tumors, fungal infections, or intracranial extension. - It provides less detail regarding **bony anatomy** and is not the primary imaging modality for surgical planning in routine cases. *Mucociliary clearing testing* - **Mucociliary clearing tests** assess the function of the **mucociliary escalator** in the nasal cavity and sinuses. - These tests are primarily diagnostic for conditions like **primary ciliary dyskinesia** and do not provide anatomical detail for surgical guidance. *Acoustic tests* - **Acoustic tests** are typically used to assess **hearing function** in the ear. - They have **no relevance** to the anatomical evaluation of the paranasal sinuses or planning for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Q: Mucoperichondrial flap in septoplasty is made on?

Septal cartilage. ***Septal cartilage*** - A mucoperichondrial flap is meticulously raised on the **septal cartilage** during septoplasty to access and correct deviations of the nasal septum. - This flap preserves the **perichondrium** and overlying mucosa, which is crucial for nutrient supply and healing of the septal cartilage. *Alar cartilage* - The alar cartilage forms the **lower lateral aspect** of the nose and is not involved in creating a mucoperichondrial flap for septal correction. - Procedures involving alar cartilage typically address **nasal tip projection** or alar rim deformities. *Maxillary spine* - The maxillary spine is a **bony prominence** at the anterior nasal floor and forms part of the underlying support for the septum. - While it can sometimes be a site of septal deviation, a mucoperichondrial flap is not primarily raised over the maxillary spine itself. *Sphenoid spine* - The sphenoid spine is a **bony projection** found on the sphenoid bone, located deep within the cranial base, posterior to the nasal cavity. - It is anatomically distant from the nasal septum and has no role in septoplasty or mucoperichondrial flap creation for septal surgical access.

Q: In which condition do symptoms improve with crying?

Choanal atresia. ***Choanal atresia*** - In **bilateral choanal atresia**, a newborn is unable to breathe through the nose due to a bony or membranous obstruction. Symptoms like **cyanosis** worsen with feeding and improve with crying because crying involves **mouth breathing**, which bypasses the nasal obstruction. - This condition is a **medical emergency** as newborns are obligate nasal breathers, and immediate intervention (e.g., oral airway, surgical repair) is often required. *Tetralogy of Fallot* - This congenital heart defect can lead to **cyanotic spells** (hypercyanotic or "tet" spells), which are characterized by increased cyanosis, tachypnea, and irritability. These spells are often precipitated by activities that increase right-to-left shunting, and **crying can worsen them** rather than improve them due to increased systemic oxygen demand and vascular resistance. - Management often involves positioning (knee-chest) and medications to reduce pulmonary vascular resistance or increase systemic vascular resistance, to alleviate shunting. *Bronchial asthma* - **Crying is a common trigger for asthma attacks** in children, as it can induce bronchoconstriction due to hyperventilation and airway irritation. Symptoms typically worsen with crying, leading to **wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath**. - Asthma is characterized by **reversible airway obstruction** and airway hyperresponsiveness, and its symptoms do not improve with crying. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **choanal atresia** is a condition where symptoms (specifically cyanosis) do improve with crying due to the switch from nasal to mouth breathing.

Q: Posterior epistaxis occurs from:

Woodruff's plexus. ***Woodruff's plexus*** - **Woodruff's plexus** is a collection of large, often friable veins located on the **posterior aspect of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity**, making it the most common anatomical site for **posterior epistaxis**. - Bleeding from this plexus is typically more severe and difficult to control than anterior epistaxis due to the larger vessel size and posterior location. - Located in the **posterolateral nasal cavity** near the posterior end of the inferior turbinate. *Kiesselbach's plexus* - **Kiesselbach's plexus** (also known as Little's area) is located on the **anterior nasal septum** and is the most common site for **anterior epistaxis**. - This is an anastomotic network of vessels from multiple arterial sources in the anterior nasal cavity. - Bleeding from this plexus is usually less severe and often responds to local pressure or cauterization. *Sphenopalatine artery* - The **sphenopalatine artery** is the terminal branch of the maxillary artery and is the primary arterial supply to the posterior nasal cavity. - While it supplies the area where posterior epistaxis occurs, the venous **Woodruff's plexus** is the specific anatomical structure most commonly associated with posterior epistaxis. - The sphenopalatine artery may require ligation or embolization in severe posterior epistaxis cases. *Little's area* - **Little's area** is another name for **Kiesselbach's plexus** and is located on the **anterior nasal septum**, primarily responsible for anterior epistaxis. - This area is highly vascularized by anastomoses of the anterior ethmoidal, sphenopalatine, greater palatine, superior labial, and septal branches of arteries. - Prone to bleeding from minor trauma, digital manipulation, or mucosal dryness.

Q: Most common sinus to be involved in acute sinusitis?

Maxillary. ***Maxillary*** - The **maxillary sinuses** are the largest paranasal sinuses and are the most commonly involved in acute sinusitis due to their anatomical position and drainage characteristics. - Their ostia (drainage openings) are located on the superior aspect of the sinus, which can make drainage difficult when the patient is upright, leading to stasis of secretions and increased susceptibility to infection. *Ethmoid* - The ethmoid sinuses are a group of small air cells located between the eyes and are the second most commonly infected in sinusitis. - While frequently involved, especially in children, they are not as commonly affected as the maxillary sinuses in the general adult population with acute sinusitis. *Sphenoid* - The sphenoid sinuses are located deep within the skull, behind the eyes, and are the least commonly involved in acute sinusitis. - Inflammation here can be serious due to proximity to important structures like the optic nerves and carotid arteries, but it's not the most frequent site of infection. *Frontal* - The frontal sinuses are located in the forehead and are less commonly involved in acute sinusitis compared to the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. - Their development is not complete until adolescence, and they are typically drained via the frontonasal duct, which can become easily obstructed.

Question 1

What is the most common fungal cause of otomycosis?

Accepted Answer

Aspergillus

Answer

Histoplasma

Answer

Rhinosporidium

Answer

Actinomyces

Question 2

What are the potential causes of myringosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Chronic inflammation from recurrent infections

Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Otosclerosis

Answer

None of the options

Question 3

Which of the following can cause unilateral sensorineural hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Acoustic neuroma

Answer

Coronavirus

Answer

Pertussis

Answer

Rotavirus

Question 4

Which of the following statements about conductive deafness is true?

Accepted Answer

Rinne's test is negative in conductive deafness.

Answer

Weber's test shows no lateralization in conductive deafness.

Answer

There is no decay in threshold tone in conductive deafness.

Answer

Air conduction is always completely absent in conductive deafness during Rinne's test

Question 5

Which part of the larynx is most commonly involved in tuberculosis (TB)?

Accepted Answer

Posterior

Answer

Answer

Middle

Answer

Anywhere

Question 6

What imaging study is typically required before endoscopic sinus surgery?

Accepted Answer

CT of PNS

Answer

MRI of paranasal sinus

Answer

Acoustic tests

Answer

Mucociliary clearing testing

Question 7

Mucoperichondrial flap in septoplasty is made on?

Accepted Answer

Septal cartilage

Answer

Alar cartilage

Answer

Maxillary spine

Answer

Sphenoid spine

Question 8

In which condition do symptoms improve with crying?

Accepted Answer

Choanal atresia

Answer

Tetralogy of Fallot

Answer

Bronchial asthma

Answer

None of the options

Question 9

Posterior epistaxis occurs from:

Accepted Answer

Woodruff's plexus

Answer

Kiesselbach's plexus

Answer

Sphenopalatine artery

Answer

Little's area

Question 10

Most common sinus to be involved in acute sinusitis?

Accepted Answer

Maxillary

Answer

Ethmoid

Answer

Sphenoid

Answer

Frontal

NEET-PG 2013 — ENT