Head and neck tumours: non-tuberculous mycobacterial adenitis: 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: non-tuberculous mycobacterial adenitis

Sample item

A 3-year-old has a painless, slowly enlarging unilateral submandibular node with overlying violaceous skin discoloration, no fever and no response to antibiotics. The tuberculin test is weakly positive and the chest film is normal. What is the best treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Complete surgical excision of the node

Non-tuberculous (atypical) mycobacterial lymphadenitis in young children usually affects a single submandibular or preauricular node with a violaceous skin change. Complete excision is curative. Incision and drainage or incomplete curettage leaves a chronically draining sinus.

Option by option

  • A. Long-term incision and drainage

    Incision and drainage leaves a sinus.

  • B. Repeated needle aspiration

    Aspiration alone does not cure the infection.

  • C. Complete surgical excision of the node (correct)

    Correct. Complete excision gives cure in most children.

  • D. Standard four-drug antituberculous therapy only

    Atypical mycobacteria are often resistant to standard antituberculous drugs.

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 C, Complete surgical excision of the node. Non-tuberculous (atypical) mycobacterial lymphadenitis in young children usually affects a single submandibular or preauricular node with a violaceous skin change.

Why is "Long-term incision and drainage" not the answer?

Incision and drainage leaves a sinus.

Why is "Repeated needle aspiration" not the answer?

Aspiration alone does not cure the infection.

Why is "Standard four-drug antituberculous therapy only" not the answer?

Atypical mycobacteria are often resistant to standard antituberculous drugs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: non-tuberculous mycobacterial adenitis in ENT. Complete excision is curative. Incision and drainage or incomplete curettage leaves a chronically draining sinus.

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: non-tuberculous mycobacterial adenitis?

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.