Vestibular disorders: vestibular nerve section: 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 · Vestibular disorders: vestibular nerve section

Sample item

A 48-year-old with Meniere disease has disabling vertigo despite maximum medical therapy and sac surgery. Hearing in the affected ear is still useful. Which procedure controls vertigo while preserving hearing?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Vestibular nerve section

Vestibular nerve section divides the vestibular fibres of the eighth nerve through a retrosigmoid or middle fossa approach, controlling vertigo in most patients while preserving cochlear function. Labyrinthectomy and cochleosacculotomy destroy hearing and are reserved for ears with non-serviceable hearing.

Option by option

  • A. Vestibular nerve section (correct)

    Correct. It cuts the vestibular input and leaves the cochlear nerve and hearing intact.

  • B. Labyrinthectomy

    Labyrinthectomy destroys both vestibular and cochlear function, so it is used only when hearing is already lost.

  • C. Cochleosacculotomy

    Cochleosacculotomy drains the endolymph through the saccule but damages cochlear function.

  • D. Transmastoid decompression of the sac

    Sac decompression is the earlier non-destructive procedure that has already failed in this patient.

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, Vestibular nerve section. Vestibular nerve section divides the vestibular fibres of the eighth nerve through a retrosigmoid or middle fossa approach, controlling vertigo in most patients while preserving cochlear function.

Why is "Labyrinthectomy" not the answer?

Labyrinthectomy destroys both vestibular and cochlear function, so it is used only when hearing is already lost.

Why is "Cochleosacculotomy" not the answer?

Cochleosacculotomy drains the endolymph through the saccule but damages cochlear function.

Why is "Transmastoid decompression of the sac" not the answer?

Sac decompression is the earlier non-destructive procedure that has already failed in this patient.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: vestibular nerve section in ENT. Labyrinthectomy and cochleosacculotomy destroy hearing and are reserved for ears with non-serviceable hearing.

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 Vestibular disorders: vestibular nerve section?

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.