Ear and audiology: bullous myringitis: 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 · Ear and audiology: bullous myringitis

Sample item

A child with an upper respiratory infection has sudden severe earache. The drum shows haemorrhagic blisters, the pinna and canal are otherwise normal, there is no facial weakness and hearing is almost normal. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Bullous myringitis

Bullous (haemorrhagic) myringitis presents with painful vesicles on the tympanic membrane and deep canal, usually with a viral or Mycoplasma infection. Treatment is analgesia with antibiotic cover as for acute otitis media, and blebs may be pricked for relief. Ramsay Hunt has vesicles on the pinna or concha with facial palsy.

Option by option

  • A. Ramsay Hunt syndrome

    Ramsay Hunt syndrome shows pinna vesicles with facial palsy and vertigo.

  • B. Bullous myringitis (correct)

    Correct. Haemorrhagic bullae on the drum with earache are typical.

  • C. Otomycosis

    Otomycosis causes itching with fungal debris in the canal.

  • D. Acute mastoiditis

    Mastoiditis causes postauricular swelling and a sagging canal 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, Bullous myringitis. Bullous (haemorrhagic) myringitis presents with painful vesicles on the tympanic membrane and deep canal, usually with a viral or Mycoplasma infection.

Why is "Ramsay Hunt syndrome" not the answer?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome shows pinna vesicles with facial palsy and vertigo.

Why is "Otomycosis" not the answer?

Otomycosis causes itching with fungal debris in the canal.

Why is "Acute mastoiditis" not the answer?

Mastoiditis causes postauricular swelling and a sagging canal wall.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: bullous myringitis in ENT. Treatment is analgesia with antibiotic cover as for acute otitis media, and blebs may be pricked for relief. Ramsay Hunt has vesicles on the pinna or concha with 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 Ear and audiology: bullous myringitis?

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.