A 40-year-old presents with asthma, aspirin sensitivity, and bilateral nasal polyps. This triad is BEST described as:
- A Samter's triad (Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, AERD) ✓
- B Kartagener syndrome
- C Young's syndrome
- D Churg-Strauss syndrome
Correct answer: A. Samter's triad (Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, AERD)
Explanation
Samter's triad (AERD) consists of: (1) asthma, (2) aspirin/NSAID sensitivity, and (3) nasal polyps. The mechanism involves arachidonic acid pathway dysregulation — COX-1 inhibition by aspirin shifts metabolism to lipoxygenase pathway, overproducing leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, LTE4). These cause bronchoconstriction and nasal inflammation. Treatment includes leukotriene antagonists and aspirin desensitization. Young's syndrome has sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and azoospermia; Kartagener's has bronchiectasis, situs inversus, and sinusitis.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.