Ear and audiology: Eustachian tube balloon dilation: 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 · Ear and audiology: Eustachian tube balloon dilation

Sample item

An adult with chronic obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction fails medical therapy and grommet insertion keeps extruding. Which procedure addresses the tube itself?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube

Balloon dilation of the cartilaginous tube opens the lumen in selected patients with persistent obstructive dysfunction. Other operations treat different problems.

Option by option

  • A. Stapedotomy

    Stapedotomy treats stapes fixation.

  • B. Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube (correct)

    Correct. Balloon dilation treats a narrowed tube directly.

  • C. Cortical mastoidectomy

    Mastoidectomy treats mastoid disease.

  • D. Myringoplasty

    Myringoplasty repairs a perforation.

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 B, Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube. Balloon dilation of the cartilaginous tube opens the lumen in selected patients with persistent obstructive dysfunction.

Why is "Stapedotomy" not the answer?

Stapedotomy treats stapes fixation.

Why is "Cortical mastoidectomy" not the answer?

Mastoidectomy treats mastoid disease.

Why is "Myringoplasty" not the answer?

Myringoplasty repairs a perforation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: Eustachian tube balloon dilation in ENT. Other operations treat different problems.

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 Ear and audiology: Eustachian tube balloon dilation?

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.