Question:medium
A patient gives a history of hoarseness in the voice and presents with the clinical condition shown in the image. Identify the lesion.
A patient gives a history of hoarseness in the voice and presents with the clinical condition shown in the image. Identify the lesion.
Show Hint
A thick, firmly adherent grey membrane over the tonsils and throat is the giveaway.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Membranous tonsillitis
- Follicular tonsillitis
- Diphtheria
- Aphthous ulcer
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: A dirty grey, firmly adherent membrane spanning the tonsils and pharynx in a patient with hoarseness points directly to faucial diphtheria.
Step 2: The causative organism is the Gram-positive bacillus $Corynebacterium\ diphtheriae$, whose toxin causes mucosal necrosis. The dead cells, fibrin and bacteria fuse into the classic pseudomembrane that bleeds when peeled.
Step 3: Associated features include a tender swollen neck, airway compromise, low grade fever and malaise. Toxin can later injure the heart and nerves.
Step 4: The other options are excluded because tonsillitis gives removable patchy exudate limited to the tonsils and aphthous ulcers are discrete oral erosions.
\[\boxed{\text{Diphtheria}}\]
Step 2: The causative organism is the Gram-positive bacillus $Corynebacterium\ diphtheriae$, whose toxin causes mucosal necrosis. The dead cells, fibrin and bacteria fuse into the classic pseudomembrane that bleeds when peeled.
Step 3: Associated features include a tender swollen neck, airway compromise, low grade fever and malaise. Toxin can later injure the heart and nerves.
Step 4: The other options are excluded because tonsillitis gives removable patchy exudate limited to the tonsils and aphthous ulcers are discrete oral erosions.
\[\boxed{\text{Diphtheria}}\]
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