Otology: 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 · Otology

Sample item

What complication should be suspected in malignant otitis externa?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Skull-base osteomyelitis

Necrotizing or malignant otitis externa can invade skull base, especially in diabetes or immunosuppression, causing severe pain and cranial neuropathies.

Option by option

  • A. Simple cerumen impaction

    Wax does not cause invasive infection.

  • B. Skull-base osteomyelitis (correct)

    Correct: invasive infection can reach skull base.

  • C. Benign positional vertigo

    BPPV is vestibular.

  • D. Otosclerosis

    Otosclerosis is noninfectious.

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 B, Skull-base osteomyelitis. Necrotizing or malignant otitis externa can invade skull base, especially in diabetes or immunosuppression, causing severe pain and cranial neuropathies.

Why is "Simple cerumen impaction" not the answer?

Wax does not cause invasive infection.

Why is "Benign positional vertigo" not the answer?

BPPV is vestibular.

Why is "Otosclerosis" not the answer?

Otosclerosis is noninfectious.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: invasive infection can reach skull base.

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 Otology?

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.