Vestibular disorders: Hennebert sign: 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 · Vestibular disorders: Hennebert sign

Sample item

A patient with late congenital syphilis has sensorineural hearing loss. Positive pressure applied to the ear canal with a Siegle speculum produces vertigo and nystagmus, although the drum is intact and there is no cholesteatoma. What is this sign called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hennebert sign

Hennebert sign is a positive fistula test without a true fistula. It occurs when fibrous bands connect the stapes footplate and the membranous labyrinth, as in congenital syphilis and sometimes Meniere disease. Tullio phenomenon is vertigo induced by loud sound. Gelle test examines stapes mobility.

Option by option

  • A. Hennebert sign (correct)

    Correct. Pressure-induced vertigo and nystagmus with an intact labyrinth and no fistula is Hennebert sign.

  • B. Tullio phenomenon

    Tullio phenomenon is vertigo provoked by loud sounds rather than by pressure in the canal.

  • C. Gelle sign

    Gelle test uses pressure to assess stapes fixation by changes in tuning fork loudness.

  • D. Schwartze sign

    Schwartze sign is a pink flush of the promontory seen through the drum in active otosclerosis.

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 A, Hennebert sign. Hennebert sign is a positive fistula test without a true fistula.

Why is "Tullio phenomenon" not the answer?

Tullio phenomenon is vertigo provoked by loud sounds rather than by pressure in the canal.

Why is "Gelle sign" not the answer?

Gelle test uses pressure to assess stapes fixation by changes in tuning fork loudness.

Why is "Schwartze sign" not the answer?

Schwartze sign is a pink flush of the promontory seen through the drum in active otosclerosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: Hennebert sign in ENT. It occurs when fibrous bands connect the stapes footplate and the membranous labyrinth, as in congenital syphilis and sometimes Meniere disease. Tullio phenomenon is vertigo induced by loud sound. Gelle test examines stapes mobility.

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 Vestibular disorders: Hennebert sign?

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.