Ear and audiology: chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis: 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: chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis

Sample item

A 65-year-old man who sleeps on his right side has a very tender, small firm nodule with a central crust on the right helix. It wakes him at night. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis

Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis is a painful inflammatory nodule on the helix or antihelix of older people, associated with pressure while sleeping. Pain is out of proportion to size and relieving the pressure helps; excision of the involved cartilage and a biopsy to exclude carcinoma are options for persistent lesions.

Option by option

  • A. Keloid

    A keloid is a firm smooth scar-like growth, usually after piercing, and is not tender with a crust.

  • B. Gouty tophus

    A gouty tophus is a chalky deposit in a patient with a history of gout.

  • C. Basal cell carcinoma

    Basal cell carcinoma is usually painless and pearly, with rolled edges.

  • D. Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis (correct)

    Correct. A tender crusted nodule on the pressure-bearing helix is typical.

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 D, Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis. Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis is a painful inflammatory nodule on the helix or antihelix of older people, associated with pressure while sleeping.

Why is "Keloid" not the answer?

A keloid is a firm smooth scar-like growth, usually after piercing, and is not tender with a crust.

Why is "Gouty tophus" not the answer?

A gouty tophus is a chalky deposit in a patient with a history of gout.

Why is "Basal cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Basal cell carcinoma is usually painless and pearly, with rolled edges.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis in ENT. Pain is out of proportion to size and relieving the pressure helps; excision of the involved cartilage and a biopsy to exclude carcinoma are options for persistent lesions.

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: chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis?

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.