Complications: Bezold abscess: 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 · Complications: Bezold abscess

Sample item

A patient with mastoiditis has a tender swelling deep to the sternocleidomastoid in the upper neck. Where has the pus escaped from?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Medial surface of the mastoid tip through the digastric groove

Bezold's abscess forms when pus breaks through the medial side of the mastoid tip at the digastric groove and tracks along the sternocleidomastoid sheath. Pus through the lateral cortex gives a postauricular subperiosteal abscess.

Option by option

  • A. Petrous apex

    Petrous apex disease gives Gradenigo syndrome.

  • B. Medial surface of the mastoid tip through the digastric groove (correct)

    Correct. The digastric groove leads to the neck swelling.

  • C. Lateral cortex of the mastoid

    Pus through the lateral cortex forms a subperiosteal abscess behind the ear.

  • D. Zygomatic cells

    Zygomatic cell pus gives a swelling above the ear (Luc's abscess).

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, Medial surface of the mastoid tip through the digastric groove. Bezold's abscess forms when pus breaks through the medial side of the mastoid tip at the digastric groove and tracks along the sternocleidomastoid sheath.

Why is "Petrous apex" not the answer?

Petrous apex disease gives Gradenigo syndrome.

Why is "Lateral cortex of the mastoid" not the answer?

Pus through the lateral cortex forms a subperiosteal abscess behind the ear.

Why is "Zygomatic cells" not the answer?

Zygomatic cell pus gives a swelling above the ear (Luc's abscess).

What concept does this question test?

It tests Complications: Bezold abscess in ENT. Pus through the lateral cortex gives a postauricular subperiosteal abscess.

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 Complications: Bezold abscess?

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.