Head and neck tumours: sentinel node biopsy: 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 · Head and neck tumours: sentinel node biopsy

Sample item

For a cT1-2 N0 oral cavity carcinoma, a radiotracer is injected around the tumour and a node is removed that takes up the tracer. What is the aim?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. To stage the neck while avoiding an unnecessary elective neck dissection

Sentinel lymph node biopsy identifies the first draining node, and a negative result allows the neck to be spared a formal dissection. It is validated in early oral cancer with a high negative predictive value. Skip metastases and floor of mouth tumours reduce accuracy.

Option by option

  • A. To measure thyroid function

    It has no relevance to thyroid function.

  • B. To stage the neck while avoiding an unnecessary elective neck dissection (correct)

    Correct. It is a staging tool in the clinically negative neck.

  • C. To assess hearing

    It does not test hearing.

  • D. To treat the primary tumour

    It does not treat the primary.

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 B, To stage the neck while avoiding an unnecessary elective neck dissection. Sentinel lymph node biopsy identifies the first draining node, and a negative result allows the neck to be spared a formal dissection.

Why is "To measure thyroid function" not the answer?

It has no relevance to thyroid function.

Why is "To assess hearing" not the answer?

It does not test hearing.

Why is "To treat the primary tumour" not the answer?

It does not treat the primary.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: sentinel node biopsy in ENT. It is validated in early oral cancer with a high negative predictive value. Skip metastases and floor of mouth tumours reduce accuracy.

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 Head and neck tumours: sentinel node biopsy?

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.