Ear and audiology: imaging of glomus tumour: 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.

Try it

ENT · Ear and audiology: imaging of glomus tumour

Sample item

MRI of a pulsatile mass behind the intact drum shows flow voids in a bright tumour giving a speckled appearance. What is this described as?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Salt and pepper appearance of paraganglioma

Paragangliomas show a salt and pepper pattern on MRI because the bright tumour is interspersed with dark flow voids of vessels. Arteriography shows a prominent tumour blush. The Brown sign and a pulsatile tinnitus are clinical clues.

Option by option

  • A. Tram-track sign

    Tram-track sign is seen in optic nerve sheath meningioma.

  • B. Ice cream cone sign

    Ice cream cone is the CT appearance of the malleus head and incus body in the attic, not a tumour sign.

  • C. Double density sign

    Double density sign refers to allergic fungal sinusitis on CT.

  • D. Salt and pepper appearance of paraganglioma (correct)

    Correct. It is the typical MRI appearance.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Salt and pepper appearance of paraganglioma. Paragangliomas show a salt and pepper pattern on MRI because the bright tumour is interspersed with dark flow voids of vessels.

Why is "Tram-track sign" not the answer?

Tram-track sign is seen in optic nerve sheath meningioma.

Why is "Ice cream cone sign" not the answer?

Ice cream cone is the CT appearance of the malleus head and incus body in the attic, not a tumour sign.

Why is "Double density sign" not the answer?

Double density sign refers to allergic fungal sinusitis on CT.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: imaging of glomus tumour in ENT. Arteriography shows a prominent tumour blush. The Brown sign and a pulsatile tinnitus are clinical clues.

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: imaging of glomus tumour?

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.