Otology: 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

Sample item

What is the investigation of choice for a suspected vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma)?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. MRI with gadolinium contrast

Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and imbalance suggest a vestibular schwannoma at the cerebellopontine angle. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI detects even small intracanalicular tumours. Audiometry is the initial screen, and bilateral tumours suggest neurofibromatosis type 2.

Option by option

  • A. Pure tone audiometry alone

    Audiometry shows hearing loss but does not identify the cause.

  • B. MRI with gadolinium contrast (correct)

    Correct. It is the most sensitive test for small tumours.

  • C. Non-contrast CT of the head

    Non-contrast CT misses small tumours.

  • D. Plain X-ray of the skull

    Plain X-rays do not show soft-tissue tumours.

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, MRI with gadolinium contrast. Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and imbalance suggest a vestibular schwannoma at the cerebellopontine angle.

Why is "Pure tone audiometry alone" not the answer?

Audiometry shows hearing loss but does not identify the cause.

Why is "Non-contrast CT of the head" not the answer?

Non-contrast CT misses small tumours.

Why is "Plain X-ray of the skull" not the answer?

Plain X-rays do not show soft-tissue tumours.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology in ENT. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI detects even small intracanalicular tumours. Audiometry is the initial screen, and bilateral tumours suggest neurofibromatosis type 2.

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?

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.