Ear and audiology: Melkersson-Rosenthal 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 · Ear and audiology: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

Sample item

A 25-year-old has had three episodes of unilateral lower motor neuron facial weakness over two years. Between episodes she has recurrent firm swelling of the lips and a deeply furrowed tongue. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is a triad of recurrent facial palsy, orofacial (especially lip) oedema and fissured tongue. Recurrent palsy with orofacial swelling should prompt this diagnosis rather than repeated Bell palsy.

Option by option

  • A. Ramsay Hunt syndrome

    Ramsay Hunt syndrome has vesicles in the ear or palate with severe otalgia, and is not recurrent.

  • B. Heerfordt syndrome

    Heerfordt syndrome is sarcoid uveoparotid fever with parotid enlargement and uveitis.

  • C. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Recurrent facial palsy with lip swelling and a fissured tongue is the classic triad.

  • D. Idiopathic Bell palsy

    Bell palsy is isolated facial weakness without lip swelling or fissured tongue and seldom recurs thrice on the same side.

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 C, Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is a triad of recurrent facial palsy, orofacial (especially lip) oedema and fissured tongue.

Why is "Ramsay Hunt syndrome" not the answer?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome has vesicles in the ear or palate with severe otalgia, and is not recurrent.

Why is "Heerfordt syndrome" not the answer?

Heerfordt syndrome is sarcoid uveoparotid fever with parotid enlargement and uveitis.

Why is "Idiopathic Bell palsy" not the answer?

Bell palsy is isolated facial weakness without lip swelling or fissured tongue and seldom recurs thrice on the same side.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome in ENT. Recurrent palsy with orofacial swelling should prompt this diagnosis rather than repeated Bell palsy.

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 Ear and audiology: Melkersson-Rosenthal 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.