Larynx: Reinke's oedema: 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: Reinke's oedema

Sample item

A 50-year-old woman who smokes heavily has a low-pitched voice, and laryngoscopy shows bilateral sac-like translucent swellings of the whole membranous vocal cords. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Reinke's oedema

Reinke's oedema is fluid accumulation in the superficial lamina propria (Reinke's space), associated with smoking, voice abuse and hypothyroidism. Smoking cessation and microlaryngeal surgery of one cord at a time are used.

Option by option

  • A. Reinke's oedema (correct)

    Correct. Bilateral translucent polypoid cords in a smoker indicate Reinke's oedema.

  • B. Vocal nodules

    Nodules are small and localised.

  • C. Laryngeal papillomatosis

    Papillomas are warty growths.

  • D. Glottic carcinoma

    Carcinoma is usually unilateral and irregular.

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 A, Reinke's oedema. Reinke's oedema is fluid accumulation in the superficial lamina propria (Reinke's space), associated with smoking, voice abuse and hypothyroidism.

Why is "Vocal nodules" not the answer?

Nodules are small and localised.

Why is "Laryngeal papillomatosis" not the answer?

Papillomas are warty growths.

Why is "Glottic carcinoma" not the answer?

Carcinoma is usually unilateral and irregular.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx: Reinke's oedema in ENT. Smoking cessation and microlaryngeal surgery of one cord at a time are used.

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: Reinke's oedema?

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.