Neck: Shamblin classification: 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 · Neck: Shamblin classification

Sample item

A carotid body tumour is found at surgery to completely encircle the internal and external carotid arteries. Which Shamblin group is this and what does it imply?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Group III, with the highest risk of vascular and cranial nerve injury at excision

Shamblin group I tumours are small and easily separated from the vessels, group II tumours are partially attached, and group III tumours encase the carotid arteries. Group III excision carries the highest risk of arterial and cranial nerve injury, so vascular surgical backup is needed.

Option by option

  • A. Group 0, which needs no surgery

    There is no group 0, and surgery is the treatment.

  • B. Group III, with the highest risk of vascular and cranial nerve injury at excision (correct)

    Correct. Complete encasement defines group III.

  • C. Group I, a small tumour easily dissected

    Group I tumours are mobile and not encasing.

  • D. Group II, partially attached to the vessels

    Group II shows partial adherence to the vessel wall.

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, Group III, with the highest risk of vascular and cranial nerve injury at excision. Shamblin group I tumours are small and easily separated from the vessels, group II tumours are partially attached, and group III tumours encase the carotid arteries.

Why is "Group 0, which needs no surgery" not the answer?

There is no group 0, and surgery is the treatment.

Why is "Group I, a small tumour easily dissected" not the answer?

Group I tumours are mobile and not encasing.

Why is "Group II, partially attached to the vessels" not the answer?

Group II shows partial adherence to the vessel wall.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neck: Shamblin classification in ENT. Group III excision carries the highest risk of arterial and cranial nerve injury, so vascular surgical backup is needed.

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 Neck: Shamblin classification?

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.