Pharynx and tonsils: PFAPA syndrome: 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 · Pharynx and tonsils: PFAPA syndrome

Sample item

A 3-year-old has fever lasting 4 days every 4 weeks with aphthous ulcers, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis, and is entirely well between episodes with normal growth. Which treatment may abort the episodes?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. A single dose of prednisolone at onset, with tonsillectomy for persistent cases

PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis) is an autoinflammatory disorder of early childhood with regular episodes and normal health between them. A single dose of oral corticosteroid usually aborts an attack. Tonsillectomy is curative in most children.

Option by option

  • A. Long-term penicillin prophylaxis

    Penicillin prophylaxis is not effective.

  • B. Intravenous immunoglobulin

    IVIG is not used.

  • C. Methotrexate

    Methotrexate is not indicated.

  • D. A single dose of prednisolone at onset, with tonsillectomy for persistent cases (correct)

    Correct. Steroid aborts episodes, and tonsillectomy often cures.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, A single dose of prednisolone at onset, with tonsillectomy for persistent cases. PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis) is an autoinflammatory disorder of early childhood with regular episodes and normal health between them.

Why is "Long-term penicillin prophylaxis" not the answer?

Penicillin prophylaxis is not effective.

Why is "Intravenous immunoglobulin" not the answer?

IVIG is not used.

Why is "Methotrexate" not the answer?

Methotrexate is not indicated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: PFAPA syndrome in ENT. A single dose of oral corticosteroid usually aborts an attack. Tonsillectomy is curative in most children.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Pharynx and tonsils: PFAPA syndrome?

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.