Airway assessment: acromegaly: practice question

A Anaesthesia 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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Anaesthesia · Airway assessment: acromegaly

Sample item

Which feature of acromegaly makes airway management difficult?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Macroglossia, prognathism and thickened soft tissues with glottic narrowing

Excess growth hormone enlarges the tongue, mandible and pharyngeal and laryngeal soft tissues. This worsens mask ventilation and laryngoscopy, and the subglottic area may be narrow, so a smaller tube than expected may be needed. Turbinate enlargement can also complicate nasal routes.

Option by option

  • A. Microstomia from skin tightening

    Microstomia from skin tightening is a feature of scleroderma.

  • B. Short neck due to cervical fusion

    Cervical fusion is a feature of Klippel-Feil syndrome or ankylosing spondylitis.

  • C. Macroglossia, prognathism and thickened soft tissues with glottic narrowing (correct)

    Correct. Soft tissue overgrowth and a narrowed glottis characterise the acromegalic airway.

  • D. Small mandible with retrognathia

    A small mandible is typical of Pierre Robin syndrome, not acromegaly.

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.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is C, Macroglossia, prognathism and thickened soft tissues with glottic narrowing. Excess growth hormone enlarges the tongue, mandible and pharyngeal and laryngeal soft tissues.

Why is "Microstomia from skin tightening" not the answer?

Microstomia from skin tightening is a feature of scleroderma.

Why is "Short neck due to cervical fusion" not the answer?

Cervical fusion is a feature of Klippel-Feil syndrome or ankylosing spondylitis.

Why is "Small mandible with retrognathia" not the answer?

A small mandible is typical of Pierre Robin syndrome, not acromegaly.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway assessment: acromegaly in Anaesthesia. This worsens mask ventilation and laryngoscopy, and the subglottic area may be narrow, so a smaller tube than expected may be needed. Turbinate enlargement can also complicate nasal routes.

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 Airway assessment: acromegaly?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia 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.