Complications: Gradenigo syndrome: 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: Gradenigo syndrome

Sample item

A child with a discharging ear develops deep retro-orbital pain and diplopia with failure of lateral gaze on the same side. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Petrositis (Gradenigo syndrome)

Gradenigo syndrome is the triad of otorrhoea, retro-orbital pain from trigeminal irritation, and abducens palsy due to petrous apex infection. Treatment includes antibiotics and mastoidectomy with drainage of the petrous apex if needed.

Option by option

  • A. Lateral sinus thrombosis

    Lateral sinus thrombosis gives picket-fence fever and mastoid oedema.

  • B. Labyrinthitis

    Labyrinthitis causes vertigo and hearing loss.

  • C. Bezold abscess

    A Bezold abscess is a neck abscess behind the mastoid tip.

  • D. Petrositis (Gradenigo syndrome) (correct)

    Correct. This is the classic triad of petrous apicitis.

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 D, Petrositis (Gradenigo syndrome). Gradenigo syndrome is the triad of otorrhoea, retro-orbital pain from trigeminal irritation, and abducens palsy due to petrous apex infection.

Why is "Lateral sinus thrombosis" not the answer?

Lateral sinus thrombosis gives picket-fence fever and mastoid oedema.

Why is "Labyrinthitis" not the answer?

Labyrinthitis causes vertigo and hearing loss.

Why is "Bezold abscess" not the answer?

A Bezold abscess is a neck abscess behind the mastoid tip.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Complications: Gradenigo syndrome in ENT. Treatment includes antibiotics and mastoidectomy with drainage of the petrous apex if needed.

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: Gradenigo syndrome?

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.