Nose: septal button: 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: septal button

Sample item

A 48-year-old with a large symptomatic anterior septal perforation causing crusting, whistling and bleeding has had poor results from saline douching and ointment. Which minimally invasive option may be used to close the defect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Insertion of a silicone septal button

A septal button, which is a silicone prosthesis that is placed in the perforation, blocks airflow turbulence and relieves whistling and crusting. It is an alternative to surgical repair with mucosal flaps, which is technically demanding. Treatment of the cause such as drug use or granulomatous disease is also needed.

Option by option

  • A. Total rhinectomy

    Rhinectomy is far too destructive.

  • B. Turbinate outfracture

    Turbinate surgery does not close a perforation.

  • C. Insertion of a silicone septal button (correct)

    Correct. A septal button obturates the perforation.

  • D. Antral lavage

    Antral lavage does not affect septal disease.

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 C, Insertion of a silicone septal button. A septal button, which is a silicone prosthesis that is placed in the perforation, blocks airflow turbulence and relieves whistling and crusting.

Why is "Total rhinectomy" not the answer?

Rhinectomy is far too destructive.

Why is "Turbinate outfracture" not the answer?

Turbinate surgery does not close a perforation.

Why is "Antral lavage" not the answer?

Antral lavage does not affect septal disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose: septal button in ENT. It is an alternative to surgical repair with mucosal flaps, which is technically demanding. Treatment of the cause such as drug use or granulomatous disease is also needed.

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: septal button?

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.