Vestibular disorders: otosyphilis: 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 · Vestibular disorders: otosyphilis

Sample item

A man with known late syphilis has fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and episodic vertigo that mimic Meniere disease. Which treatment is indicated?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. High-dose penicillin with corticosteroids

Otosyphilis can resemble Meniere disease. It is treated with neurosyphilis-dose penicillin and steroids to prevent worsening of hearing loss.

Option by option

  • A. Salt restriction alone

    Salt restriction would not address the infection.

  • B. Betahistine alone

    Betahistine treats symptoms but not the cause.

  • C. Intratympanic gentamicin

    Gentamicin is ablative and not for infection.

  • D. High-dose penicillin with corticosteroids (correct)

    Correct. Otosyphilis needs penicillin with steroids.

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, High-dose penicillin with corticosteroids. Otosyphilis can resemble Meniere disease.

Why is "Salt restriction alone" not the answer?

Salt restriction would not address the infection.

Why is "Betahistine alone" not the answer?

Betahistine treats symptoms but not the cause.

Why is "Intratympanic gentamicin" not the answer?

Gentamicin is ablative and not for infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: otosyphilis in ENT. It is treated with neurosyphilis-dose penicillin and steroids to prevent worsening of hearing loss.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Vestibular disorders: otosyphilis?

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.