Nose and paranasal sinuses: rhinolith: 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 · Nose and paranasal sinuses: rhinolith

Sample item

A 30-year-old woman has had unilateral foul-smelling blood-stained nasal discharge for years. Endoscopy shows a hard irregular grey-brown stony mass on the floor of the nose. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Rhinolith, formed by calcium deposition around a nidus

A rhinolith develops by deposition of calcium and magnesium salts around a nidus such as a retained foreign body, blood clot or inspissated secretion. It causes unilateral foul discharge and obstruction. It is removed in pieces or whole under anaesthesia.

Option by option

  • A. Osteoma of the maxilla

    An osteoma is a smooth bony tumour and does not discharge.

  • B. Rhinosporidiosis

    Rhinosporidiosis is a friable red polypoid mass with a granular surface.

  • C. Rhinolith, formed by calcium deposition around a nidus (correct)

    Correct. A calcified stone around a nidus.

  • D. Antrochoanal polyp

    An antrochoanal polyp is soft and glistening.

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, Rhinolith, formed by calcium deposition around a nidus. A rhinolith develops by deposition of calcium and magnesium salts around a nidus such as a retained foreign body, blood clot or inspissated secretion.

Why is "Osteoma of the maxilla" not the answer?

An osteoma is a smooth bony tumour and does not discharge.

Why is "Rhinosporidiosis" not the answer?

Rhinosporidiosis is a friable red polypoid mass with a granular surface.

Why is "Antrochoanal polyp" not the answer?

An antrochoanal polyp is soft and glistening.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: rhinolith in ENT. It causes unilateral foul discharge and obstruction. It is removed in pieces or whole under anaesthesia.

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 Nose and paranasal sinuses: rhinolith?

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.