Nose: Curacao criteria for HHT: 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: Curacao criteria for HHT

Sample item

A 35-year-old has recurrent spontaneous epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectasia on the lips and fingertips, and a father with the same problem. How many of the four Curacao criteria does she meet, and what is the diagnostic category?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Three criteria (epistaxis, telangiectasia, family history), so a definite diagnosis of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

The Curacao criteria are spontaneous recurrent epistaxis, multiple mucocutaneous telangiectasia, visceral arteriovenous lesions and a first-degree relative with the disease. Three or more criteria give a definite diagnosis. Visceral lesions are not yet demonstrated here and need screening.

Option by option

  • A. All four criteria, including visceral lesions

    No visceral lesion has been documented, so the fourth criterion is not yet met.

  • B. Three criteria (epistaxis, telangiectasia, family history), so a definite diagnosis of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (correct)

    Correct. Three criteria are met, which makes the diagnosis definite.

  • C. Two criteria, so a possible diagnosis only

    Two criteria would be only possible or suspected disease.

  • D. One criterion, so the diagnosis is unlikely

    She clearly meets more than one criterion.

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, Three criteria (epistaxis, telangiectasia, family history), so a definite diagnosis of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. The Curacao criteria are spontaneous recurrent epistaxis, multiple mucocutaneous telangiectasia, visceral arteriovenous lesions and a first-degree relative with the disease.

Why is "All four criteria, including visceral lesions" not the answer?

No visceral lesion has been documented, so the fourth criterion is not yet met.

Why is "Two criteria, so a possible diagnosis only" not the answer?

Two criteria would be only possible or suspected disease.

Why is "One criterion, so the diagnosis is unlikely" not the answer?

She clearly meets more than one criterion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose: Curacao criteria for HHT in ENT. Three or more criteria give a definite diagnosis. Visceral lesions are not yet demonstrated here and need screening.

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: Curacao criteria for HHT?

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.