Head and neck tumours: radiation-induced carotid stenosis: 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: radiation-induced carotid stenosis

Sample item

A 58-year-old had neck radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer ten years ago. He now has episodes of transient left arm weakness. Which late complication is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Radiation-induced carotid artery stenosis

Radiotherapy accelerates atherosclerosis in the irradiated carotid vessels, with stenosis developing years later. Carotid duplex is the first investigation.

Option by option

  • A. Carotid body tumour

    A carotid body tumour presents as a neck mass.

  • B. Radiation-induced carotid artery stenosis (correct)

    Correct. Late radiation vasculopathy causes carotid stenosis and TIAs.

  • C. Osteoradionecrosis

    Osteoradionecrosis affects the mandible and not cerebral perfusion.

  • D. Carotid dissection from the radiation

    Dissection is not a typical late radiation complication.

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, Radiation-induced carotid artery stenosis. Radiotherapy accelerates atherosclerosis in the irradiated carotid vessels, with stenosis developing years later.

Why is "Carotid body tumour" not the answer?

A carotid body tumour presents as a neck mass.

Why is "Osteoradionecrosis" not the answer?

Osteoradionecrosis affects the mandible and not cerebral perfusion.

Why is "Carotid dissection from the radiation" not the answer?

Dissection is not a typical late radiation complication.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: radiation-induced carotid stenosis in ENT. Carotid duplex is the first investigation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: radiation-induced carotid stenosis?

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.