Vestibular disorders: stroke mimicking vestibular neuritis: 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: stroke mimicking vestibular neuritis

Sample item

A 65-year-old diabetic has acute continuous vertigo, nausea and inability to walk unaided. CT head is normal. Why is MRI diffusion imaging still advised?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Early posterior fossa infarcts can be missed on CT

CT is insensitive for brainstem and cerebellar infarction. A normal CT does not exclude stroke, so MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging is needed in high-risk patients.

Option by option

  • A. MRI treats vertigo

    MRI is diagnostic and not therapeutic.

  • B. MRI is needed only for hearing

    MRI is not required only for hearing assessment.

  • C. Early posterior fossa infarcts can be missed on CT (correct)

    Correct. CT is insensitive in the posterior fossa.

  • D. CT always misses neuritis

    Neuritis is not imaged by CT as it is functional.

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, Early posterior fossa infarcts can be missed on CT. CT is insensitive for brainstem and cerebellar infarction.

Why is "MRI treats vertigo" not the answer?

MRI is diagnostic and not therapeutic.

Why is "MRI is needed only for hearing" not the answer?

MRI is not required only for hearing assessment.

Why is "CT always misses neuritis" not the answer?

Neuritis is not imaged by CT as it is functional.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: stroke mimicking vestibular neuritis in ENT. A normal CT does not exclude stroke, so MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging is needed in high-risk patients.

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: stroke mimicking vestibular neuritis?

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.