Head and neck tumours: sialadenosis: 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 · Head and neck tumours: sialadenosis

Sample item

A 45-year-old man with chronic alcohol use has had bilateral painless soft parotid enlargement for a year. There is no fever, no dry eyes or mouth, anti-Ro and anti-La are negative, and no discrete lump. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Sialadenosis

Sialadenosis is a non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic bilateral painless parotid enlargement associated with alcoholism, diabetes, malnutrition and bulimia, caused by acinar hypertrophy and autonomic dysfunction. Investigation is directed at the underlying cause.

Option by option

  • A. Sjogren syndrome

    Sjogren syndrome has sicca symptoms and positive anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies.

  • B. Sialadenosis (correct)

    Correct. Bilateral painless soft parotid swelling with alcohol use and no autoimmune features is sialadenosis.

  • C. Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis

    Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis, a Kuttner tumour, affects the submandibular gland with a hard swelling.

  • D. Warthin tumour

    Warthin tumour is a discrete cystic mass in the parotid tail of an older smoker.

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, Sialadenosis. Sialadenosis is a non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic bilateral painless parotid enlargement associated with alcoholism, diabetes, malnutrition and bulimia, caused by acinar hypertrophy and autonomic dysfunction.

Why is "Sjogren syndrome" not the answer?

Sjogren syndrome has sicca symptoms and positive anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies.

Why is "Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis" not the answer?

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis, a Kuttner tumour, affects the submandibular gland with a hard swelling.

Why is "Warthin tumour" not the answer?

Warthin tumour is a discrete cystic mass in the parotid tail of an older smoker.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: sialadenosis in ENT. Investigation is directed at the underlying cause.

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 Head and neck tumours: sialadenosis?

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.