Diseases of the Larynx Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following statements regarding scleroma of the larynx is false?

It is an acute inflammatory condition. **Explanation:** **Scleroma (Rhinoscleroma)** is a **chronic granulomatous infection** caused by the Gram-negative bacillus *Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis* (Frisch bacillus). 1. **Why Option A is the Correct Answer (False Statement):** Scleroma is **not an acute** condition. It is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease characterized by three distinct stages: Catarrhal (atrophic), Granulomatous (proliferative), and Cicatricial (fibrotic). The disease process evolves over months or years, making it a chronic infection. 2. **Analysis of Other Options:** * **Option B (Caused by Klebsiella):** This is true. The causative agent is *Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis*, often identified by its characteristic large, vacuolated macrophages called **Mikulicz cells** and eosinophilic inclusion bodies known as **Russell bodies**. * **Option C (Subglottic stenosis):** This is true. While it primarily affects the nose (Rhinoscleroma), it can descend to the larynx. The subglottic region is the most common site of laryngeal involvement, where the cicatricial stage leads to dense scarring and stenosis. * **Option D (Treatment includes steroids):** This is true. Management involves long-term antibiotics (Streptomycin and Tetracycline are traditional; Ciprofloxacin is now preferred). Steroids are often added to reduce edema and limit the formation of fibrous tissue/stenosis. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Pathognomonic Cells:** Mikulicz cells (foamy macrophages containing bacilli) and Russell bodies (degenerated plasma cells). * **Most Common Site:** The nose (specifically the anterior nares and septum). * **Laryngeal Site:** Subglottis is most common. * **Biopsy:** Essential for diagnosis to differentiate from malignancy or other granulomatous diseases like TB or Sarcoidosis.

Q: Stridor is caused by all except:

Asthma. **Explanation:** The core concept in differentiating respiratory sounds lies in the **anatomical site of obstruction**. **Stridor** is a high-pitched, predominantly inspiratory sound caused by turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed **upper airway** (at or above the level of the larynx/trachea). In contrast, **Wheezing** is a continuous, musical, predominantly expiratory sound caused by narrowing of the **lower airways** (bronchi and bronchioles). * **Why Asthma is the correct answer:** Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airways characterized by reversible bronchoconstriction. Since the pathology is distal to the trachea, it presents with **wheezing**, not stridor. * **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Hypocalcemia:** Low calcium levels lead to neuromuscular irritability, which can cause **Laryngospasm**. This acute narrowing of the glottis results in inspiratory stridor. * **Epiglottitis:** This is a supraglottic infection causing massive edema of the epiglottis. It is a classic cause of acute inspiratory stridor (often accompanied by the "tripod position" and "thumb sign" on X-ray). * **Laryngeal Tumor:** Any growth (benign or malignant) within the larynx narrows the airway lumen, leading to progressive chronic stridor. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** 1. **Inspiratory Stridor:** Indicates a lesion at or above the vocal cords (Supraglottic/Glottic). 2. **Biphasic Stridor:** Indicates a subglottic or tracheal lesion. 3. **Expiratory Stridor:** Indicates a bronchial lesion (often overlaps with wheezing). 4. **Laryngomalacia:** The most common cause of congenital inspiratory stridor in infants; it characteristically increases when the child is supine or crying.

Q: What is the most common benign tumor of the larynx in a child between 2-5 years of age?

Juvenile laryngeal papilloma. **Explanation** **1. Why Juvenile Laryngeal Papilloma (JLP) is Correct:** Juvenile Laryngeal Papilloma, a subset of **Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP)**, is the most common benign neoplasm of the larynx in children. It is caused by **Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11**, typically acquired during birth via an infected birth canal. It most frequently presents between **2 and 5 years of age** with symptoms of progressive hoarseness, stridor, and respiratory distress. Histologically, it consists of finger-like projections of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with a central vascular core. **2. Why the Other Options are Incorrect:** * **A. Chondroma:** These are rare, slow-growing cartilaginous tumors that usually affect the cricoid cartilage in adults (typically 40–60 years). * **B. Infantile Hemangioma:** While common in infants, subglottic hemangiomas usually present earlier (within the first 6 months of life) and are characterized by a biphasic growth pattern (proliferation followed by involution). * **C. Scleroma (Rhinoscleroma):** This is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by *Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis*. It primarily affects the nose and subglottis and is characterized by Mikulicz cells, rather than being a true benign tumor of childhood. **3. NEET-PG Clinical Pearls:** * **Most common site:** True vocal cords (due to the transition zone of epithelium). * **Treatment of choice:** CO2 laser excision or microdebrider excision. Avoid tracheostomy if possible to prevent "seeding" of the papilloma distally. * **Adjuvant therapy:** Cidofovir (antiviral) is used in aggressive cases. * **Triad for JLP:** Hoarseness + Stridor + HPV 6/11.

Q: What is the most common congenital abnormality of the larynx?

Laryngomalacia. **Explanation:** **Laryngomalacia** is the correct answer as it is the most common congenital anomaly of the larynx, accounting for approximately 60–70% of all congenital laryngeal stridor. It is characterized by an inward collapse of the supraglottic structures (epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and arytenoids) during inspiration due to excessive flaccidity of the laryngeal tissues. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Laryngeal Web:** This results from the failure of the laryngeal lumen to recanalize during the 10th week of gestation. While significant, it is much rarer than laryngomalacia. * **Subglottic Stenosis:** This is the second most common cause of stridor in infants and the most common congenital abnormality requiring tracheostomy, but it is less frequent than laryngomalacia. * **Subglottic Haemangioma:** This is a benign vascular neoplasm. It typically presents with biphasic stridor at 3–6 months of age (not at birth) and is far less common than structural anomalies. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** 1. **Clinical Presentation:** The hallmark is **inspiratory stridor** that increases with crying, feeding, or lying in the supine position, and improves when the infant is prone. 2. **Diagnosis:** The gold standard is **Flexible Fiberoptic Laryngoscopy**, which shows an "Omega-shaped" (Ω) epiglottis and short aryepiglottic folds. 3. **Management:** Most cases (90%) are self-limiting and resolve spontaneously by 18–24 months. Severe cases (causing failure to thrive or cyanosis) are treated with **supraglottoplasty**.

Q: Which of the following is true regarding paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

It is more common on the left side.. **Explanation:** **1. Why Option A is correct:** Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) paralysis is significantly more common on the **left side** due to its longer and more convoluted anatomical course. While the right RLN loops around the subclavian artery in the neck, the left RLN descends into the thorax, loops around the **arch of the aorta**, and ascends back to the larynx. This extended intrathoracic course makes the left nerve more vulnerable to compression or injury from mediastinal pathologies (e.g., lung malignancy, aortic aneurysm, or esophageal tumors). **2. Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Option B:** While many cases are idiopathic, the most common cause of RLN paralysis is **surgical trauma** (especially thyroidectomy). Idiopathic causes account for approximately 20–30% of cases, not 50%. * **Option C:** In isolated RLN paralysis, the vocal cord typically lies in the **paramedian position**. This is explained by **Semon’s Law**, which states that in progressive lesions, abductor fibers are injured before adductor fibers. The cord only assumes a lateral position in combined paralysis (RLN + Superior Laryngeal Nerve). * **Option D:** Treatment depends on the etiology and whether the paralysis is unilateral or bilateral. For unilateral paralysis, the primary goal is often medialization (e.g., Type I Thyroplasty) if compensation doesn't occur. Speech therapy is an adjunct, not the definitive primary treatment for the nerve injury itself. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Semon’s Law:** Abductors (Posterior Cricoarytenoid) are more vulnerable than adductors. * **Most common cause:** Surgical trauma (Thyroidectomy). * **Most common non-traumatic cause:** Bronchogenic carcinoma (Left side). * **Ortner’s Syndrome:** Left RLN palsy caused by cardiovascular disorders (e.g., mitral stenosis leading to left atrial enlargement).

Q: An alcoholic presented with globus sensation in throat, cough, and hoarseness. Larynx examination shows a pseudosulcus. A pseudosulcus is seen in which of the following conditions?

Laryngopharyngeal reflux. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)**. **Understanding the Concept:** LPR occurs when gastric contents (acid and pepsin) reflux into the larynx and pharynx. Unlike GERD, LPR often presents without heartburn but with "silent" symptoms like globus sensation, chronic cough, and hoarseness. **Pseudosulcus vocalis** is a classic physical finding in LPR; it refers to subglottic edema extending from the anterior commissure to the posterior larynx, creating a "groove-like" appearance along the entire length of the vocal cord. This is distinct from *Sulcus Vocalis*, which is a true structural invagination of the epithelium. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Vocal abuse:** Typically leads to **Vocal Nodules** (bilateral, junction of anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3) or vocal polyps, not subglottic edema. * **Tuberculosis:** Laryngeal TB usually presents with a "moth-eaten" appearance of the epiglottis, ulceration, or granulation tissue, often in the posterior commissure. * **Chronic steroid use:** This is a risk factor for **Laryngeal Candidiasis** (white plaques) or mucosal atrophy, but it does not cause a pseudosulcus. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Reflux Finding Score (RFS):** Used to grade LPR severity; pseudosulcus is a key component. * **Posterior Laryngitis:** LPR characteristically causes erythema and pachydermia (thickening) of the interarytenoid area. * **Management:** Lifestyle modifications (avoiding alcohol/caffeine) and aggressive Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) therapy for 3–6 months.

Q: What is the best treatment for laryngeal cancer involving the anterior commissure?

Laryngectomy. **Explanation:** The **Anterior Commissure (AC)** is a critical anatomical site in the larynx where the vocal cords meet anteriorly. It is considered a "weak spot" for cancer management due to the absence of a perichondrium at the attachment of the Broyle’s ligament. **1. Why Laryngectomy is the Correct Answer:** Tumors involving the anterior commissure have a high propensity for **early cartilage invasion** (thyroid cartilage) and spread into the pre-epiglottic space. Because the AC is poorly vascularized and often involves the underlying cartilage, it is notoriously **radioresistant**. Surgical intervention—specifically a Vertical Partial Laryngectomy or Total Laryngectomy (depending on the extent)—is preferred to ensure complete oncological clearance. In the context of NEET-PG, when AC involvement is specified, surgery (Laryngectomy) is the gold standard over radiation. **2. Why other options are incorrect:** * **Radiotherapy (Option B):** While RT is excellent for early T1 glottic cancers, it has a high failure rate in AC involvement. The lack of vascularity in this region leads to poor oxygenation of tissues, making the tumor cells less sensitive to radiation. * **Chemotherapy (Option C):** Chemotherapy is primarily used as part of "Organ Preservation Protocols" (induction) or for palliative care in advanced laryngeal cancer. It is not a definitive primary treatment for localized AC involvement. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Broyle’s Ligament:** The structure that attaches the vocal cords to the thyroid cartilage; it lacks a perichondrium, acting as a pathway for tumor spread. * **Hostile Site:** The AC is often called a "blind spot" for clinicians and a "difficult zone" for radiotherapy. * **Staging:** Involvement of the AC often upgrades the complexity of the surgery required to maintain a safe margin.

Q: An elderly male presents with hoarseness, cough, dysphagia, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. A laryngocele is suspected. From which anatomical structure does a laryngocele arise from herniation?

Thyrohyoid membrane. ### Explanation **1. Why Option B (Thyrohyoid membrane) is correct:** A laryngocele is an abnormal cystic dilatation of the **laryngeal saccule** (an upward extension of the laryngeal ventricle). When the saccule distends with air, it can remain internal or extend superiorly. To become an **external or mixed laryngocele**, the sac must herniate through the **thyrohyoid membrane**. Specifically, it passes through the same opening used by the **superior laryngeal artery and the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve**. This results in a reducible neck swelling that expands with increased intralaryngeal pressure (e.g., Valsalva maneuver). **2. Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Option A (Cricothyroid membrane):** This membrane connects the cricoid and thyroid cartilages. It is the site for emergency cricothyroidotomy but is not involved in the herniation of the laryngeal saccule. * **Option C (Laryngeal fold):** While an internal laryngocele may cause bulging of the false vocal folds (ventricular folds), the "herniation" into the neck—which defines the clinical presentation of a palpable mass—occurs through a membrane, not a fold. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **The "Trumpeter’s Disease":** Laryngoceles are common in individuals who frequently increase intralaryngeal pressure (e.g., glassblowers, trumpet players). * **Rule out Malignancy:** In an elderly patient presenting with a laryngocele, it is mandatory to perform a direct laryngoscopy to rule out **Squamous Cell Carcinoma** obstructing the neck of the saccule. * **Diagnosis:** CT scan is the gold standard (shows an air-filled sac). * **Laryngopyocele:** If the air-filled sac becomes infected and filled with pus, it is termed a laryngopyocele.

Question 1

Which of the following statements regarding scleroma of the larynx is false?

Accepted Answer

It is an acute inflammatory condition

Answer

It is caused by Klebsiella

Answer

Subglottic stenosis is a common complication

Answer

Treatment may include steroids

Question 2

Stridor is caused by all except:

Accepted Answer

Asthma

Answer

Hypocalcemia

Answer

Epiglottitis

Answer

Laryngeal tumor

Question 3

What is the most common benign tumor of the larynx in a child between 2-5 years of age?

Accepted Answer

Juvenile laryngeal papilloma

Answer

Chondroma

Answer

Infantile hemangioma

Answer

Scleroma

Question 4

What is the most common congenital abnormality of the larynx?

Accepted Answer

Laryngomalacia

Answer

Laryngeal web

Answer

Subglottic stenosis

Answer

Subglottic haemangioma

Question 5

Which of the following is true regarding paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Accepted Answer

It is more common on the left side.

Answer

It is idiopathic in 50% of cases.

Answer

The vocal cord will lie in a lateral position.

Answer

Speech therapy is the primary treatment.

Question 6

What is an indication for tracheostomy?

Accepted Answer

Foreign body obstructing the airway

Answer

Vocal cord replacement

Answer

Pharynx replacement

Answer

Tracheomalacia

Question 7

An alcoholic presented with globus sensation in throat, cough, and hoarseness. Larynx examination shows a pseudosulcus. A pseudosulcus is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Laryngopharyngeal reflux

Answer

Vocal abuse

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Chronic steroid use

Question 8

All of the following are true regarding tracheostomy tube except:

Accepted Answer

Ideally should be changed every 3rd day

Answer

Double lumen tube

Answer

Made of titanium silver alloy

Answer

Cuffed tube prevents aspiration of pharyngeal secretions

Question 9

What is the best treatment for laryngeal cancer involving the anterior commissure?

Accepted Answer

Laryngectomy

Answer

Radiotherapy followed by surgery

Answer

Chemotherapy

Answer

None of the above

Question 10

An elderly male presents with hoarseness, cough, dysphagia, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. A laryngocele is suspected. From which anatomical structure does a laryngocele arise from herniation?

Accepted Answer

Thyrohyoid membrane

Answer

Cricothyroid membrane

Answer

Laryngeal fold

Answer

None of the above

Diseases of the Larynx — MCQs

Diseases of the Larynx — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?