Otology: topical therapy in CSOM: 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 · Otology: topical therapy in CSOM

Sample item

A patient with active mucosal chronic otitis media has a wet ear with mucopurulent discharge. What is the best initial treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Aural toilet and topical quinolone drops

Active mucosal disease is treated by dry mopping, aural toilet and topical fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin) drops, which are non-ototoxic. Aminoglycoside drops through a perforation risk ototoxicity. Surgery follows once the ear is dry.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate ossiculoplasty

    Reconstruction is done after the ear is dry.

  • B. Aminoglycoside drops through the perforation

    Aminoglycosides can be ototoxic via the round window.

  • C. Syringing with hot water

    Syringing can push infected fluid into the mastoid and is avoided.

  • D. Aural toilet and topical quinolone drops (correct)

    Correct. Aural toilet with quinolone drops is first line.

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 D, Aural toilet and topical quinolone drops. Active mucosal disease is treated by dry mopping, aural toilet and topical fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin) drops, which are non-ototoxic.

Why is "Immediate ossiculoplasty" not the answer?

Reconstruction is done after the ear is dry.

Why is "Aminoglycoside drops through the perforation" not the answer?

Aminoglycosides can be ototoxic via the round window.

Why is "Syringing with hot water" not the answer?

Syringing can push infected fluid into the mastoid and is avoided.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology: topical therapy in CSOM in ENT. Aminoglycoside drops through a perforation risk ototoxicity. Surgery follows once the ear is dry.

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 Otology: topical therapy in CSOM?

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.