External ear: preauricular sinus: 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 · External ear: preauricular sinus

Sample item

A child has a recurrent discharging pit just anterior to the crus of the helix, with repeated abscesses. What is the definitive treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Excision of the entire sinus tract

Preauricular sinuses arise from incomplete fusion of the auricular hillocks and can extend deep to the temporalis fascia. Recurrent infection requires complete excision of the tract, sometimes with the cartilage of the crus of the helix, after the infection settles. Drainage alone leads to recurrence.

Option by option

  • A. Probing and curettage

    Curettage leaves part of the tract behind.

  • B. Long-term oral antibiotics

    Antibiotics cannot remove the epithelial tract.

  • C. Excision of the entire sinus tract (correct)

    Correct. Complete excision of the tract prevents recurrence.

  • D. Incision and drainage only

    Drainage treats the abscess but not the tract.

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 C, Excision of the entire sinus tract. Preauricular sinuses arise from incomplete fusion of the auricular hillocks and can extend deep to the temporalis fascia.

Why is "Probing and curettage" not the answer?

Curettage leaves part of the tract behind.

Why is "Long-term oral antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics cannot remove the epithelial tract.

Why is "Incision and drainage only" not the answer?

Drainage treats the abscess but not the tract.

What concept does this question test?

It tests External ear: preauricular sinus in ENT. Recurrent infection requires complete excision of the tract, sometimes with the cartilage of the crus of the helix, after the infection settles. Drainage alone leads to recurrence.

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 External ear: preauricular sinus?

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.