Nasopharynx Flashcards
A patient presents with sneezing, congestion and a runny nose. What does he have? What is the most common cause?
Rhinitis which is inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Rhinovirus is the most common cause.
What type of hypersensitivity is allergic rhinitis? What is it characterized by? What is it associated with?
Type I hypersensitivity reaction. Characterized by an inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophils. Associated with asthma and eczema.
What is a nasal polyp? What causes it?
Protrusion of edematous, inflamed nasal mucosa. Usually secondary to repeated bouts of rhinitis, also occurs in cystic fibrosis and aspirin intolerant asthma
What is the triad of aspirin-intolerant asthma? How many asthmatic patients is it seen in?
Asthma, aspirin induced bronchospasms, nasal polyps. Seen in 10% of asthmatic adults.
What is angiofibroma? Who is it usually seen in ? How does it present?
Benign tumor of nasal mucosa composed of large blood vessels and fibrous tissue. Classically seen in adolescent males. Presents with profuse epistaxis.
A 37 year old Chinese man presents with swollen cervical lymph nodes. Biopsy reveals pleomorphic keratin-positive epithelial cells in a background of lymphocytes. What does this patient have? What is it associated with? What populations are usually targeted?
He has Nasopharyngeal carcinoma which is a malignant tumor of nasopharyngeal epithelium. Associated with EBV. Classically seen in African children and Chinese adults. Biopsy features are of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.
