Nose: incidental maxillary retention cyst: 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: incidental maxillary retention cyst

Sample item

A patient has a CT for headache that incidentally shows a smooth dome-shaped opacity of 2 cm on the floor of the left maxillary sinus, with no symptoms and a patent ostium. What is the management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Reassurance without treatment, as it is an incidental mucous retention cyst

A mucous retention cyst arises from obstruction of a seromucinous gland in the sinus mucosa and is commonly found incidentally. It is asymptomatic and does not need treatment. Symptomatic or enlarging lesions are reassessed for other pathology.

Option by option

  • A. Radiotherapy

    Radiotherapy has no role.

  • B. Long course of antibiotics

    Antibiotics do not alter a cyst.

  • C. Caldwell-Luc operation

    Surgery is unnecessary for an incidental finding.

  • D. Reassurance without treatment, as it is an incidental mucous retention cyst (correct)

    Correct. Asymptomatic retention cysts are left alone.

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 D, Reassurance without treatment, as it is an incidental mucous retention cyst. A mucous retention cyst arises from obstruction of a seromucinous gland in the sinus mucosa and is commonly found incidentally.

Why is "Radiotherapy" not the answer?

Radiotherapy has no role.

Why is "Long course of antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not alter a cyst.

Why is "Caldwell-Luc operation" not the answer?

Surgery is unnecessary for an incidental finding.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose: incidental maxillary retention cyst in ENT. It is asymptomatic and does not need treatment. Symptomatic or enlarging lesions are reassessed for other pathology.

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: incidental maxillary retention cyst?

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.