Head and neck tumours: facial palsy with a parotid mass: 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 · Head and neck tumours: facial palsy with a parotid mass

Sample item

A 60-year-old has a hard painless right parotid mass and new right lower motor neuron facial weakness. What does the facial weakness suggest?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Malignant tumour invading the nerve

Facial nerve weakness with a parotid mass is a strong indicator of malignancy such as adenoid cystic carcinoma. Benign tumours rarely cause palsy even when large. It changes surgical planning.

Option by option

  • A. Malignant tumour invading the nerve (correct)

    Correct. Facial palsy with a hard parotid mass points to a malignancy invading the nerve.

  • B. Warthin tumour

    Warthin tumour is soft, cystic and does not cause palsy.

  • C. Pleomorphic adenoma

    Pleomorphic adenomas displace the nerve but rarely paralyse it.

  • D. Parotid calculus

    A calculus affects the duct and gives colicky pain with meals.

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 A, Malignant tumour invading the nerve. Facial nerve weakness with a parotid mass is a strong indicator of malignancy such as adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Why is "Warthin tumour" not the answer?

Warthin tumour is soft, cystic and does not cause palsy.

Why is "Pleomorphic adenoma" not the answer?

Pleomorphic adenomas displace the nerve but rarely paralyse it.

Why is "Parotid calculus" not the answer?

A calculus affects the duct and gives colicky pain with meals.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: facial palsy with a parotid mass in ENT. Benign tumours rarely cause palsy even when large. It changes surgical planning.

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 Head and neck tumours: facial palsy with a parotid mass?

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.