Ear and audiology: otoprotection against cisplatin: 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: otoprotection against cisplatin

Sample item

A 6-year-old receiving cisplatin for a localised hepatoblastoma is at risk of high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Which agent is used to reduce this ototoxicity?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Sodium thiosulfate

Sodium thiosulfate given after cisplatin binds the drug in the cochlea and reduces hearing loss in children with localised tumours. Mesna protects the bladder from ifosfamide and leucovorin rescues methotrexate toxicity. Hearing must be monitored throughout treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Leucovorin

    Leucovorin rescues normal cells from methotrexate and is not an otoprotectant.

  • B. Mesna

    Mesna prevents haemorrhagic cystitis from ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide.

  • C. Amifostine

    Amifostine is a cytoprotectant used for renal and mucosal effects and is not the agent for otoprotection.

  • D. Sodium thiosulfate (correct)

    Correct. Sodium thiosulfate reduces cisplatin-induced hearing loss in paediatric localised disease.

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, Sodium thiosulfate. Sodium thiosulfate given after cisplatin binds the drug in the cochlea and reduces hearing loss in children with localised tumours.

Why is "Leucovorin" not the answer?

Leucovorin rescues normal cells from methotrexate and is not an otoprotectant.

Why is "Mesna" not the answer?

Mesna prevents haemorrhagic cystitis from ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide.

Why is "Amifostine" not the answer?

Amifostine is a cytoprotectant used for renal and mucosal effects and is not the agent for otoprotection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: otoprotection against cisplatin in ENT. Mesna protects the bladder from ifosfamide and leucovorin rescues methotrexate toxicity. Hearing must be monitored throughout treatment.

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: otoprotection against cisplatin?

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.