Head and neck tumours: vagal paraganglioma: 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 · Head and neck tumours: vagal paraganglioma

Sample item

A 40-year-old has a painless parapharyngeal mass at the angle of the jaw, hoarseness and an ipsilateral Horner syndrome. Angiography shows the internal and external carotid arteries displaced anteriorly. Which tumour is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Glomus vagale (vagal paraganglioma)

A vagal paraganglioma arises from glomus tissue of the vagus ganglion and lies posterior to the carotid vessels in the poststyloid space, pushing both carotids anteriorly. It causes vagal and sympathetic signs. A carotid body tumour splays the bifurcation and does not displace the vessels forward.

Option by option

  • A. Branchial cyst

    A branchial cyst is cystic and avascular.

  • B. Glomus vagale (vagal paraganglioma) (correct)

    Correct. Vagal origin explains the hoarseness and the anterior carotid displacement.

  • C. Pleomorphic adenoma of the deep lobe

    A deep lobe parotid adenoma lies in the prestyloid space and pushes the vessels posteriorly.

  • D. Carotid body tumour

    A carotid body tumour widens the carotid bifurcation (lyre sign).

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 B, Glomus vagale (vagal paraganglioma). A vagal paraganglioma arises from glomus tissue of the vagus ganglion and lies posterior to the carotid vessels in the poststyloid space, pushing both carotids anteriorly.

Why is "Branchial cyst" not the answer?

A branchial cyst is cystic and avascular.

Why is "Pleomorphic adenoma of the deep lobe" not the answer?

A deep lobe parotid adenoma lies in the prestyloid space and pushes the vessels posteriorly.

Why is "Carotid body tumour" not the answer?

A carotid body tumour widens the carotid bifurcation (lyre sign).

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: vagal paraganglioma in ENT. It causes vagal and sympathetic signs. A carotid body tumour splays the bifurcation and does not displace the vessels forward.

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: vagal paraganglioma?

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.