Ear and audiology: tuberculous otitis media: 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: tuberculous otitis media

Sample item

A young man on treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis develops painless thin ear discharge with a rapid fall in hearing. Pale granulations are seen in the middle ear. Which drum finding is characteristic?

AA posterosuperior retraction pocketBA single large central perforationCMultiple small perforationsDA marginal attic perforation

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Multiple small perforations

Tuberculous otitis media classically gives painless watery otorrhoea, pale granulations, early severe hearing loss and multiple small drum perforations that coalesce. Facial palsy and mastoid sequestra can follow. Diagnosis needs culture, PCR or histology of granulations.

Option by option

A. A posterosuperior retraction pocket
A posterosuperior retraction pocket suggests eustachian tube dysfunction progressing to cholesteatoma.
B. A single large central perforation
A single large central perforation is typical of the safe type of chronic suppurative otitis media.
C. Multiple small perforations (correct)
Correct. Multiple small perforations that coalesce are the hallmark of tuberculous otitis media.
D. A marginal attic perforation
A marginal attic perforation suggests cholesteatoma in the unsafe type of chronic suppurative otitis media.

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.

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Multiple small perforations. Tuberculous otitis media classically gives painless watery otorrhoea, pale granulations, early severe hearing loss and multiple small drum perforations that coalesce.

Why is "A posterosuperior retraction pocket" not the answer?

A posterosuperior retraction pocket suggests eustachian tube dysfunction progressing to cholesteatoma.

Why is "A single large central perforation" not the answer?

A single large central perforation is typical of the safe type of chronic suppurative otitis media.

Why is "A marginal attic perforation" not the answer?

A marginal attic perforation suggests cholesteatoma in the unsafe type of chronic suppurative otitis media.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: tuberculous otitis media in ENT. Facial palsy and mastoid sequestra can follow. Diagnosis needs culture, PCR or histology of granulations.

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: tuberculous otitis media?

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.