Oesophagus: Plummer-Vinson syndrome: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Oesophagus: Plummer-Vinson syndrome

Sample item

A middle-aged woman has dysphagia for solids, koilonychia and glossitis. Barium swallow shows a thin web in the post-cricoid region and her haemoglobin is low. Which complication is she prone to?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Post-cricoid squamous cell carcinoma

Plummer-Vinson (Paterson-Kelly) syndrome combines dysphagia, iron deficiency anaemia and an upper oesophageal web. Iron replacement often relieves symptoms, and web dilatation is used for persistent dysphagia. The condition is premalignant for post-cricoid and hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma.

Option by option

  • A. Achalasia cardia

    Achalasia is a primary motility disorder unrelated to iron deficiency.

  • B. Zenker diverticulum

    Zenker diverticulum arises from a different mechanism of pharyngeal pulsion.

  • C. Oesophageal adenocarcinoma

    Adenocarcinoma is linked to Barrett mucosa, not to a web.

  • D. Post-cricoid squamous cell carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. The syndrome predisposes to post-cricoid squamous cancer.

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 General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Post-cricoid squamous cell carcinoma. Plummer-Vinson (Paterson-Kelly) syndrome combines dysphagia, iron deficiency anaemia and an upper oesophageal web.

Why is "Achalasia cardia" not the answer?

Achalasia is a primary motility disorder unrelated to iron deficiency.

Why is "Zenker diverticulum" not the answer?

Zenker diverticulum arises from a different mechanism of pharyngeal pulsion.

Why is "Oesophageal adenocarcinoma" not the answer?

Adenocarcinoma is linked to Barrett mucosa, not to a web.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oesophagus: Plummer-Vinson syndrome in General Surgery. Iron replacement often relieves symptoms, and web dilatation is used for persistent dysphagia. The condition is premalignant for post-cricoid and hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma.

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 Oesophagus: Plummer-Vinson syndrome?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.