Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Dr Patsy Lill
Professor Emerita
University of South Carolina School of Medicine

Headache

A 43-year-old woman presented with a fever of 38.1 degrees C and complaints of severe and persistent headaches. The patient reported that she had allergies to several allergens since adolescence. Examination of her nares showed a complete blockage of her left nare by a soft, glistening mass. The mass was attached to the nasal tissue by a stalk and was removed by a snare. Further examination showed that the nasopharynx was erythematous. The mass was sent for histopathological examination and she was treated for bacterial sinusitis. Her headaches and low-grade fever resolved within 6 days.

What is the cause of the obstruction in the nares?

1. Nasal polyp
2. Adenomatous polyp
3. Sinusitis
4. Atopic-induced swelling of the nasal sub-epithelium

ANSWER

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Pathology questions by Dr Patsy Lill