Pharynx and tonsils: secondary syphilis of the mouth: 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 · Pharynx and tonsils: secondary syphilis of the mouth

Sample item

A sexually active man has a sore throat, painless greyish-white erosions on the tongue and cheek, a non-itchy palmar rash and generalised lymphadenopathy. Which diagnosis fits best?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Secondary syphilis

Mucous patches are painless greyish erosions of secondary syphilis, seen with a palmar and plantar rash and lymphadenopathy. Serology confirms it and benzathine penicillin treats it. Lichen planus has reticular white streaks without a rash like this.

Option by option

  • A. Oral lichen planus

    Lichen planus has lacy white striae and no palmar rash.

  • B. Herpes simplex stomatitis

    Herpes gives painful clustered vesicles, not painless erosions.

  • C. Secondary syphilis (correct)

    Correct. Painless mucous patches with palmar rash and lymphadenopathy indicate secondary syphilis.

  • D. Oral candidiasis

    Candidiasis gives wipeable plaques and is not associated with a palmar rash.

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, Secondary syphilis. Mucous patches are painless greyish erosions of secondary syphilis, seen with a palmar and plantar rash and lymphadenopathy.

Why is "Oral lichen planus" not the answer?

Lichen planus has lacy white striae and no palmar rash.

Why is "Herpes simplex stomatitis" not the answer?

Herpes gives painful clustered vesicles, not painless erosions.

Why is "Oral candidiasis" not the answer?

Candidiasis gives wipeable plaques and is not associated with a palmar rash.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: secondary syphilis of the mouth in ENT. Serology confirms it and benzathine penicillin treats it. Lichen planus has reticular white streaks without a rash like this.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: secondary syphilis of the mouth?

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.