Pharynx and tonsils: parapharyngeal 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 · Pharynx and tonsils: parapharyngeal abscess

Sample item

A 30-year-old has trismus, fever, swelling behind the angle of the mandible and the tonsil pushed medially, with a bulging lateral pharyngeal wall. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Parapharyngeal abscess

A parapharyngeal abscess produces neck swelling at the angle of the mandible, trismus and medial displacement of the tonsil and lateral pharyngeal wall. Infection may arise from the tonsil, molar teeth or parotid. It is treated by airway protection, antibiotics and external drainage.

Option by option

  • A. Retropharyngeal abscess

    A retropharyngeal abscess bulges in the posterior pharyngeal wall.

  • B. Parapharyngeal abscess (correct)

    Correct. Medial tonsil displacement with neck swelling indicates a parapharyngeal collection.

  • C. Ludwig's angina

    Ludwig's angina is bilateral submandibular swelling.

  • D. Quinsy

    Quinsy displaces the uvula and presents above the tonsil without external swelling.

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, Parapharyngeal abscess. A parapharyngeal abscess produces neck swelling at the angle of the mandible, trismus and medial displacement of the tonsil and lateral pharyngeal wall.

Why is "Retropharyngeal abscess" not the answer?

A retropharyngeal abscess bulges in the posterior pharyngeal wall.

Why is "Ludwig's angina" not the answer?

Ludwig's angina is bilateral submandibular swelling.

Why is "Quinsy" not the answer?

Quinsy displaces the uvula and presents above the tonsil without external swelling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: parapharyngeal abscess in ENT. Infection may arise from the tonsil, molar teeth or parotid. It is treated by airway protection, antibiotics and external drainage.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: parapharyngeal 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.