Larynx: Kaposi sarcoma: 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 · Larynx: Kaposi sarcoma

Sample item

A 34-year-old man with advanced HIV infection has hoarseness and a violaceous, non-ulcerated supraglottic lesion on laryngoscopy, with similar purple plaques on the palate. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Kaposi sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma, associated with human herpesvirus 8, causes violaceous mucosal lesions of the palate and supraglottis in AIDS. It is managed with antiretroviral therapy and, if required, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Biopsy can bleed heavily.

Option by option

  • A. Laryngeal papilloma

    Papillomas are pale, warty and associated with HPV 6 and 11.

  • B. Vocal fold cyst

    A cyst is a smooth submucosal swelling on the cord.

  • C. Reinke oedema

    Reinke oedema is polypoid swelling of the vocal fold in smokers.

  • D. Kaposi sarcoma (correct)

    Correct. Purple vascular lesions in HIV suggest Kaposi sarcoma.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Kaposi sarcoma. Kaposi sarcoma, associated with human herpesvirus 8, causes violaceous mucosal lesions of the palate and supraglottis in AIDS.

Why is "Laryngeal papilloma" not the answer?

Papillomas are pale, warty and associated with HPV 6 and 11.

Why is "Vocal fold cyst" not the answer?

A cyst is a smooth submucosal swelling on the cord.

Why is "Reinke oedema" not the answer?

Reinke oedema is polypoid swelling of the vocal fold in smokers.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx: Kaposi sarcoma in ENT. It is managed with antiretroviral therapy and, if required, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Biopsy can bleed heavily.

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 Larynx: Kaposi sarcoma?

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.