Complications of otitis media: 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 · Complications of otitis media

Sample item

A child with chronic ear discharge develops deep retro-orbital pain on the same side and diplopia on looking toward that side. Which complication is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Petrous apicitis (Gradenigo's syndrome)

Infection of the petrous apex involves the trigeminal ganglion, causing deep facial or retro-orbital pain, and the abducens nerve, causing lateral rectus palsy. Together with ear discharge this is Gradenigo's triad. Treatment is antibiotics and mastoid surgery to drain the apex when needed.

Option by option

  • A. Otitic hydrocephalus

    Otitic hydrocephalus presents with raised intracranial pressure and papilloedema rather than pain with sixth nerve palsy.

  • B. Bezold's abscess

    Bezold's abscess is a neck collection deep to sternocleidomastoid from mastoid tip pus.

  • C. Petrous apicitis (Gradenigo's syndrome) (correct)

    Correct. Ear discharge, trigeminal pain and abducens palsy are the triad.

  • D. Lateral sinus thrombophlebitis

    Lateral sinus thrombophlebitis causes spiking fever and a positive Griesinger sign, not an abducens palsy.

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 C, Petrous apicitis (Gradenigo's syndrome). Infection of the petrous apex involves the trigeminal ganglion, causing deep facial or retro-orbital pain, and the abducens nerve, causing lateral rectus palsy.

Why is "Otitic hydrocephalus" not the answer?

Otitic hydrocephalus presents with raised intracranial pressure and papilloedema rather than pain with sixth nerve palsy.

Why is "Bezold's abscess" not the answer?

Bezold's abscess is a neck collection deep to sternocleidomastoid from mastoid tip pus.

Why is "Lateral sinus thrombophlebitis" not the answer?

Lateral sinus thrombophlebitis causes spiking fever and a positive Griesinger sign, not an abducens palsy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Complications of otitis media in ENT. Together with ear discharge this is Gradenigo's triad. Treatment is antibiotics and mastoid surgery to drain the apex when needed.

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 Complications of otitis media?

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.