Temporal bone trauma: 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 · Temporal bone trauma

Sample item

After a blow to the side of his head, a man has immediate complete facial paralysis, profound sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo. Which fracture pattern is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Transverse fracture of the temporal bone

Transverse fractures cross the petrous pyramid and the otic capsule, causing sensorineural deafness, vertigo and often immediate facial palsy. Longitudinal fractures (the commoner type) run along the petrous axis and cause conductive loss, haemotympanum and a delayed, usually partial facial palsy.

Option by option

  • A. Longitudinal fracture of the temporal bone

    Longitudinal fractures mainly cause conductive deafness and a delayed facial palsy.

  • B. Isolated fracture of the zygomatic arch

    A zygomatic arch fracture causes trismus and does not affect the cochlea or labyrinth.

  • C. Transverse fracture of the temporal bone (correct)

    Correct. The line crosses the labyrinth and often the facial canal.

  • D. Fracture of the mastoid tip only

    A fracture limited to the mastoid tip does not involve the inner ear.

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, Transverse fracture of the temporal bone. Transverse fractures cross the petrous pyramid and the otic capsule, causing sensorineural deafness, vertigo and often immediate facial palsy.

Why is "Longitudinal fracture of the temporal bone" not the answer?

Longitudinal fractures mainly cause conductive deafness and a delayed facial palsy.

Why is "Isolated fracture of the zygomatic arch" not the answer?

A zygomatic arch fracture causes trismus and does not affect the cochlea or labyrinth.

Why is "Fracture of the mastoid tip only" not the answer?

A fracture limited to the mastoid tip does not involve the inner ear.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Temporal bone trauma in ENT. Longitudinal fractures (the commoner type) run along the petrous axis and cause conductive loss, haemotympanum and a delayed, usually partial facial palsy.

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 Temporal bone trauma?

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.