Ear and audiology: Luc's 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: Luc's abscess

Sample item

A boy with acute mastoiditis develops a tender swelling in the temporal region above the root of the zygoma. Which complication is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Luc's abscess, a zygomatic abscess

Spread of pus along the zygomatic cells beyond the mastoid produces a zygomatic or Luc's abscess in the temporal fossa. The Bezold abscess is in the neck and the Citelli abscess is occipital. The treatment is drainage with mastoidectomy.

Option by option

  • A. Subperiosteal abscess behind the ear

    A postauricular subperiosteal abscess pushes the pinna forward and downward.

  • B. Bezold's abscess

    Bezold's abscess presents in the neck.

  • C. Luc's abscess, a zygomatic abscess (correct)

    Correct. A zygomatic abscess is Luc's abscess.

  • D. Citelli's abscess

    Citelli's abscess is in the occipital 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 C, Luc's abscess, a zygomatic abscess. Spread of pus along the zygomatic cells beyond the mastoid produces a zygomatic or Luc's abscess in the temporal fossa.

Why is "Subperiosteal abscess behind the ear" not the answer?

A postauricular subperiosteal abscess pushes the pinna forward and downward.

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

Bezold's abscess presents in the neck.

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

Citelli's abscess is in the occipital area.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: Luc's abscess in ENT. The Bezold abscess is in the neck and the Citelli abscess is occipital. The treatment is drainage with mastoidectomy.

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: Luc's 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.