Laryngology: 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 · Laryngology

Sample item

A 55-year-old man who has smoked for decades has a low-pitched hoarse voice. Laryngoscopy shows bilateral symmetrical, translucent, sac-like swelling of the entire length of both vocal folds. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Reinke's oedema

Reinke's oedema is fluid accumulation in the subepithelial Reinke's space, strongly linked with smoking and voice abuse. It is bilateral and diffuse and produces a deep, rough voice. Stopping smoking is the first step, with microlaryngeal surgery for persistent cases.

Option by option

  • A. Glottic carcinoma

    Glottic carcinoma is usually a unilateral, irregular or ulcerated lesion, not symmetrical translucent swelling.

  • B. Reinke's oedema (correct)

    Correct. Diffuse bilateral polypoid swelling of the whole fold in a smoker is typical.

  • C. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

    Papillomatosis produces warty, exophytic growths rather than translucent oedematous folds.

  • D. Vocal nodules

    Vocal nodules are small bilateral lesions at the junction of the anterior and middle thirds and are seen in voice users.

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 B, Reinke's oedema. Reinke's oedema is fluid accumulation in the subepithelial Reinke's space, strongly linked with smoking and voice abuse.

Why is "Glottic carcinoma" not the answer?

Glottic carcinoma is usually a unilateral, irregular or ulcerated lesion, not symmetrical translucent swelling.

Why is "Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis" not the answer?

Papillomatosis produces warty, exophytic growths rather than translucent oedematous folds.

Why is "Vocal nodules" not the answer?

Vocal nodules are small bilateral lesions at the junction of the anterior and middle thirds and are seen in voice users.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Laryngology in ENT. It is bilateral and diffuse and produces a deep, rough voice. Stopping smoking is the first step, with microlaryngeal surgery for persistent cases.

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 Laryngology?

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.