Nasopharynx and Related Conditions

Nasopharynx

• Rhinitis: Inflammation of the nasal mucosa, often caused by rhinovirus. Common symptoms include sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose. Allergic rhinitis is a type of rhinitis triggered by a type I hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., pollen). Characterized by an inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophils. Associated with asthma and eczema.

• Nasal Polyps: Protrusion of inflamed nasal mucosa, often resulting from repeated rhinitis episodes. Can also occur in cystic fibrosis and aspirin-intolerant asthma (a triad: asthma, aspirin-induced bronchospasms, and nasal polyps). Seen in 10% of asthmatic adults.

• Angiofibroma: Benign tumor of nasal mucosa made of blood vessels and fibrous tissue. Commonly seen in adolescent males. Characterized by profuse epistaxis (nosebleeds).

• Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Malignant tumor of the nasopharyngeal epithelium. Often associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and more common in African children and Chinese adults. Usually shows pleomorphic keratin-positive epithelial cells (poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma) in a background of lymphocytes. Can be associated with cervical lymph node involvement.

Larynx

• Acute Epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis, most commonly caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B, especially in non-immunized children. Symptoms include high fever, sore throat, drooling, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), muffled voice, and inspiratory stridor (a whistling sound during inhalation). Risk of airway obstruction.

• Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup): Inflammation of the upper airway predominantly caused by parainfluenza viruses. Characterized by a hoarse "barking" cough and inspiratory stridor.

• Vocal Cord Nodule (Singer's Nodule): Nodules on the vocal cords, often caused by excessive vocal cord use, usually bilateral. Composed of degenerative (myxoid) connective tissue.

• Laryngeal Papilloma: Benign papillary tumor of the vocal cords, often caused by HPV types 6 and 11. Can be single in adults or multiple in children. Characterized by hoarseness.

• Laryngeal Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma typically arising from the vocal cord's epithelial lining. Risk factors include alcohol and tobacco use; can arise from a laryngeal papilloma. Characterized by hoarseness, cough, and stridor.

Explore the various conditions associated with the nasopharynx, including rhinitis, nasal polyps, angiofibroma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Learn about their causes, symptoms, and associations, particularly in relation to allergies and tumors. This quiz will test your understanding of the complexities of these nasal conditions.