Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: frontal sinus posterior table fracture: practice question

A Dentistry 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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Dentistry · Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: frontal sinus posterior table fracture

Sample item

After a blow to the forehead, CT shows a displaced posterior table fracture of the frontal sinus with a dural tear and clear nasal discharge. What is the appropriate management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cranialisation with neurosurgical repair

Displaced posterior table fractures with a dural tear and cerebrospinal fluid leak require surgical exploration and dural repair, usually by cranialisation after removal of the posterior wall and the sinus mucosa. This prevents mucocele and intracranial infection.

Option by option

  • A. Cranialisation with neurosurgical repair (correct)

    Correct. A displaced posterior table fracture with a CSF leak is explored and cranialised.

  • B. Antral washout

    Antral washout treats maxillary sinus disease.

  • C. Elevation of the anterior table alone

    Elevating the anterior table alone corrects contour but leaves the dural injury.

  • D. Observation with analgesia

    Observation risks meningitis and mucocele formation.

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 Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Cranialisation with neurosurgical repair. Displaced posterior table fractures with a dural tear and cerebrospinal fluid leak require surgical exploration and dural repair, usually by cranialisation after removal of the posterior wall and the sinus mucosa.

Why is "Antral washout" not the answer?

Antral washout treats maxillary sinus disease.

Why is "Elevation of the anterior table alone" not the answer?

Elevating the anterior table alone corrects contour but leaves the dural injury.

Why is "Observation with analgesia" not the answer?

Observation risks meningitis and mucocele formation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: frontal sinus posterior table fracture in Dentistry. This prevents mucocele and intracranial infection.

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 Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: frontal sinus posterior table fracture?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.