FCPS IMM Surgery Head, Neck & Endocrine Surgery MCQs: High-Yield Practice Questions & Prep

Head, Neck & Endocrine Surgery is one of the subject blocks in the FCPS IMM Surgery QBank. It covers thyroid nodules and cancer, parathyroid disease, salivary gland tumours and neck masses. Below is a sample set in the style of the bank, with the reasoning after each answer.

Sample MCQs

1. Agitation, weight loss with good appetite, exophthalmos and a goitre indicate:

• A) Hypothyroidism
• B) Hashimoto thyroiditis
• C) Graves disease (thyrotoxicosis) ✅
• D) Thyroid carcinoma

Why: Graves disease also causes ophthalmopathy.

2. A neck swelling with multiple sinuses discharging yellowish granules is caused by:

• A) Staphylococcus aureus
• B) Actinomyces ✅
• C) Mycobacterium leprae
• D) Streptococcus pyogenes

Why: Cervicofacial actinomycosis gives chronic suppuration with sulphur granules and multiple sinuses.

3. Which sign of a thyroid swelling is the danger sign for malignancy?

• A) Hard, irregular and fixed mass ✅
• B) Smooth soft mass
• C) Tender swelling
• D) Bilateral symmetric swelling

Why: A hard, irregular, fixed thyroid mass suggests malignancy.

4. An appendiceal carcinoid smaller than 2 cm at the tip is treated by:

• A) Right hemicolectomy
• B) Appendicectomy ✅
• C) Chemotherapy
• D) Observation

Why: Larger tumours or those at the base need right hemicolectomy.

5. Which imaging is used to localise parathyroid adenoma preoperatively?

• A) Chest X-ray
• B) Barium swallow
• C) Sestamibi scan ✅
• D) Thyroid scan

Why: Technetium sestamibi with ultrasound localises an adenoma.

6. Perimeter flaps harvested from the tip of the tongue are used for defects of:

• A) Cheek
• B) Gingiva
• C) Vermilion ✅
• D) Floor of mouth

Why: Perimeter tongue-tip flaps are used for vermilion defects.

7. Pain and paraesthesia down the medial arm to the ring and little fingers after neck hyperextension correspond to which roots?

• A) C5-C6
• B) C6-C7
• C) C8-T1 ✅
• D) L5-S1

Why: The ring and little fingers are supplied by C8 (and T1 medial arm), indicating lower trunk/ulnar root involvement.

8. The superior mesenteric artery and portal vein lie behind which part of the pancreas?

• A) Head
• B) Body
• C) Neck ✅
• D) Tail

Why: The SMV-portal confluence lies behind the pancreatic neck.

9. A common complication of parotidectomy is:

• A) Facial nerve palsy and Frey syndrome ✅
• B) Hypoglossal palsy
• C) Thyroid storm
• D) Hypocalcaemia

Why: Gustatory sweating occurs from aberrant regeneration.

10. A 46,XX patient with ambiguous genitalia most likely has:

• A) Mixed gonadal dysgenesis
• B) Androgen insensitivity syndrome
• C) Congenital adrenal hyperplasia ✅
• D) Klinefelter syndrome

Why: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21-hydroxylase deficiency) virilises a 46,XX female.

How to Study This Block

• Learn the investigation pathway of a thyroid nodule and the features of each thyroid cancer.
• Know the causes and treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism.
• Revise salivary gland tumours by gland and behaviour.

Each subject in the QBank can be filtered on its own, so you can drill head, neck & endocrine surgery until your accuracy is stable. Confirm the exam format and syllabus against the current CPSP guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which topics repeat?

Thyroid cancers, hyperparathyroidism and parotid tumours are the usual favourites.

Is thyroid surgery complications covered?

Yes: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hypocalcaemia and haematoma are common questions.

Practise With the Full QBank

The FCPS IMM Surgery QBank has a free trial batch in Tutor mode, subject filters and Timed mode. Related: complete exam guide, how to use recalls.