Nose and paranasal sinuses: sinus barotrauma: 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: sinus barotrauma

Sample item

A passenger develops sudden severe pain over the forehead during aircraft descent. She had a cold the day before. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Frontal sinus barotrauma from poor ventilation of the sinus

A blocked frontal recess traps air so that pressure falls relatively during descent, causing pain and mucosal bleeding. A cold predisposes by swelling the ostium. Treatment is topical decongestants and avoiding flying with a cold.

Option by option

  • A. Acute otitis media

    Otitis media gives ear pain.

  • B. Frontal sinus barotrauma from poor ventilation of the sinus (correct)

    Correct. Sinus ostial block during descent is the mechanism.

  • C. Trigeminal neuralgia

    Trigeminal neuralgia gives brief stabbing pain.

  • D. Cluster headache

    Cluster headache is not triggered by descent.

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 B, Frontal sinus barotrauma from poor ventilation of the sinus. A blocked frontal recess traps air so that pressure falls relatively during descent, causing pain and mucosal bleeding.

Why is "Acute otitis media" not the answer?

Otitis media gives ear pain.

Why is "Trigeminal neuralgia" not the answer?

Trigeminal neuralgia gives brief stabbing pain.

Why is "Cluster headache" not the answer?

Cluster headache is not triggered by descent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: sinus barotrauma in ENT. A cold predisposes by swelling the ostium. Treatment is topical decongestants and avoiding flying with a cold.

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: sinus barotrauma?

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.