Larynx and airway: Tapia 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 · Larynx and airway: Tapia syndrome

Sample item

After prolonged intubation for neck surgery, a patient has hoarseness with an immobile right vocal cord and deviation of the tongue to the right on protrusion. The palate and trapezius are normal. Which syndrome is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Tapia syndrome

Tapia syndrome is an ipsilateral palsy of the recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus and the hypoglossal nerve, described after intubation or neck surgery or lesions in the neck. Avellis syndrome adds soft palate paralysis, and Jackson syndrome involves X, XI and XII.

Option by option

  • A. Avellis syndrome

    Avellis syndrome involves ipsilateral soft palate and vocal cord palsy without tongue deviation.

  • B. Vernet syndrome

    Vernet syndrome involves nerves IX, X and XI at the jugular foramen with a normal tongue.

  • C. Tapia syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Combined vagus (laryngeal) and hypoglossal palsy without palatal or accessory involvement is Tapia syndrome.

  • D. Jackson syndrome

    Jackson syndrome involves the vagus, accessory and hypoglossal nerves, causing trapezius weakness.

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, Tapia syndrome. Tapia syndrome is an ipsilateral palsy of the recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus and the hypoglossal nerve, described after intubation or neck surgery or lesions in the neck.

Why is "Avellis syndrome" not the answer?

Avellis syndrome involves ipsilateral soft palate and vocal cord palsy without tongue deviation.

Why is "Vernet syndrome" not the answer?

Vernet syndrome involves nerves IX, X and XI at the jugular foramen with a normal tongue.

Why is "Jackson syndrome" not the answer?

Jackson syndrome involves the vagus, accessory and hypoglossal nerves, causing trapezius weakness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: Tapia syndrome in ENT. Avellis syndrome adds soft palate paralysis, and Jackson syndrome involves X, XI and XII.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: Tapia 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.