Larynx and airway: post-tracheostomy stenosis: 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 and airway: post-tracheostomy stenosis

Sample item

A patient who had a tracheostomy 6 months ago has progressive exertional stridor. Bronchoscopy shows a ring-like narrowing at the level of the stoma. What is the usual site and cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Stomal or cuff-level stenosis from pressure necrosis and granulation

After tracheostomy, stenosis occurs at the stoma from granulation and collapse of the anterior wall, or at the cuff site from pressure ischaemia. Symptoms appear weeks to months after decannulation. Treatment is dilatation, laser, or resection and anastomosis.

Option by option

  • A. The bronchus from foreign body

    A foreign body is an acute problem.

  • B. Stomal or cuff-level stenosis from pressure necrosis and granulation (correct)

    Correct. These are the classic sites.

  • C. The glottis from nerve palsy

    A nerve palsy does not cause a ring stenosis.

  • D. The carina from tumour

    Carinal stenosis is not related to the tracheostomy.

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, Stomal or cuff-level stenosis from pressure necrosis and granulation. After tracheostomy, stenosis occurs at the stoma from granulation and collapse of the anterior wall, or at the cuff site from pressure ischaemia.

Why is "The bronchus from foreign body" not the answer?

A foreign body is an acute problem.

Why is "The glottis from nerve palsy" not the answer?

A nerve palsy does not cause a ring stenosis.

Why is "The carina from tumour" not the answer?

Carinal stenosis is not related to the tracheostomy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: post-tracheostomy stenosis in ENT. Symptoms appear weeks to months after decannulation. Treatment is dilatation, laser, or resection and anastomosis.

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 and airway: post-tracheostomy stenosis?

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.