Vestibular disorders: perilymph fistula: 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 · Vestibular disorders: perilymph fistula

Sample item

A diver has sudden vertigo and hearing loss after a forceful Valsalva during ascent. Pressure applied in the ear canal reproduces vertigo. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Perilymph fistula at the round or oval window

Barotrauma can rupture the round or oval window membrane, leaking perilymph and producing vertigo and sensorineural loss. A positive fistula test is typical. It may also follow stapedectomy, and treatment is bed rest with head up, and surgical patching if persistent.

Option by option

  • A. Perilymph fistula at the round or oval window (correct)

    Correct. The history and fistula sign point to perilymph leak.

  • B. Vestibular neuritis

    Neuritis has no hearing loss and no trigger.

  • C. Meniere disease

    Meniere disease is spontaneous and recurrent.

  • D. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

    BPPV is positional and not provoked by pressure.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Perilymph fistula at the round or oval window. Barotrauma can rupture the round or oval window membrane, leaking perilymph and producing vertigo and sensorineural loss.

Why is "Vestibular neuritis" not the answer?

Neuritis has no hearing loss and no trigger.

Why is "Meniere disease" not the answer?

Meniere disease is spontaneous and recurrent.

Why is "Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo" not the answer?

BPPV is positional and not provoked by pressure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: perilymph fistula in ENT. A positive fistula test is typical. It may also follow stapedectomy, and treatment is bed rest with head up, and surgical patching if persistent.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Vestibular disorders: perilymph fistula?

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.