Sinuses: cavernous sinus thrombosis: 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 · Sinuses: cavernous sinus thrombosis

Sample item

A man squeezes a boil near his nostril and later develops fever, proptosis, chemosis and a fixed convergent squint. Which cranial nerve is usually affected first in cavernous sinus thrombosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Abducens nerve

The abducens nerve lies within the cavernous sinus lateral to the carotid artery, so it is often the first to be affected, producing a convergent squint. The other nerves run in the lateral wall.

Option by option

  • A. Maxillary nerve

    The maxillary nerve is in the lateral wall.

  • B. Abducens nerve (correct)

    Correct. The abducens nerve is freely in the sinus and is affected first.

  • C. Oculomotor nerve

    The oculomotor nerve lies in the lateral wall and is affected later.

  • D. Trochlear nerve

    The trochlear nerve lies in the lateral wall.

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, Abducens nerve. The abducens nerve lies within the cavernous sinus lateral to the carotid artery, so it is often the first to be affected, producing a convergent squint.

Why is "Maxillary nerve" not the answer?

The maxillary nerve is in the lateral wall.

Why is "Oculomotor nerve" not the answer?

The oculomotor nerve lies in the lateral wall and is affected later.

Why is "Trochlear nerve" not the answer?

The trochlear nerve lies in the lateral wall.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sinuses: cavernous sinus thrombosis in ENT. The other nerves run in the lateral wall.

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 Sinuses: cavernous sinus thrombosis?

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.