Ear and audiology: Citelli abscess: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Ear and audiology: Citelli abscess

Sample item

A child with mastoiditis has a swelling behind the ear along the line of the posterior belly of the digastric extending up to the occipital area. What is it called?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Citelli's abscess

Citelli's abscess is a collection in the occipital region from breakthrough of the digastric ridge or the posterior mastoid. Bezold's abscess forms in the neck deep to the sternomastoid via the digastric groove. Luc's abscess lies in the temporal region above the zygomatic root.

Option by option

  • A. Griesinger's sign

    Griesinger's sign is oedema over the mastoid from sigmoid sinus thrombosis.

  • B. Citelli's abscess (correct)

    Correct. It extends posteriorly towards the occiput.

  • C. Bezold's abscess

    Bezold's abscess lies in the upper neck under the sternomastoid.

  • D. Luc's abscess

    Luc's abscess is above the zygoma in the temporal area.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Citelli's abscess. Citelli's abscess is a collection in the occipital region from breakthrough of the digastric ridge or the posterior mastoid.

Why is "Griesinger's sign" not the answer?

Griesinger's sign is oedema over the mastoid from sigmoid sinus thrombosis.

Why is "Bezold's abscess" not the answer?

Bezold's abscess lies in the upper neck under the sternomastoid.

Why is "Luc's abscess" not the answer?

Luc's abscess is above the zygoma in the temporal area.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: Citelli abscess in ENT. Bezold's abscess forms in the neck deep to the sternomastoid via the digastric groove. Luc's abscess lies in the temporal region above the zygomatic root.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Ear and audiology: Citelli abscess?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.