ENT Medical and Surgical Treatment 2

Question 1

What is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated acute otitis externa in an adult with an intact tympanic membrane?

Accepted Answer

Topical antibiotic ear drops

Answer

Topical antimicrobial drops are first-line for uncomplicated AOE, and systemic antibiotics are reserved for spread beyond the canal or for immunocompromised patients.

Question 2

A patient with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss gets no improvement after a course of oral steroids. What is the recommended salvage therapy?

Accepted Answer

Intratympanic corticosteroid injection

Answer

Intratympanic steroids are recommended as salvage therapy when initial treatment for sudden SNHL fails.

Question 3

Which treatment for Meniere's disease ablates vestibular function while usually preserving hearing?

Accepted Answer

Intratympanic gentamicin

Answer

Low-dose intratympanic gentamicin selectively damages vestibular hair cells and carries a fairly low risk to hearing.

Question 4

What is the definitive treatment for an acquired cholesteatoma?

Accepted Answer

Tympanomastoidectomy

Answer

Cholesteatoma keeps growing and eroding bone, so surgical removal by tympanomastoidectomy is the definitive treatment.

Question 5

What is the preferred surgery for conductive hearing loss caused by otosclerosis with stapes fixation?

Accepted Answer

Stapedotomy with a prosthesis

Answer

Stapedotomy makes a small fenestration in the fixed footplate and places a piston prosthesis to restore sound transmission.

ENT - Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Certification Practice Test

ENT - Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Certification Practice Test

ENT Medical and Surgical Treatment 2