A 5-year-old child is brought with recurrent episodes of mild upper airway obstruction and a change in voice. Laryngoscopy shows multiple small wart-like lesions on the true and false vocal cords and subglottis. Biopsy reveals squamous papillomas. Which HPV subtypes are most commonly implicated?

• A HPV 16 and 18
• B HPV 6 and 11 ✓
• C HPV 31 and 33
• D HPV 1 and 2

Explanation

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (laryngeal papillomatosis) is caused by HPV types 6 and 11, the same low-risk subtypes responsible for condylomata acuminata. The juvenile form results from vertical transmission during passage through an infected birth canal. HPV 11 is associated with a more aggressive clinical course. HPV 16 and 18 are high-risk oncogenic types linked to cervical and oropharyngeal carcinoma. Repeated endoscopic microlaryngoscopy with CO2 laser or microdebrider is the mainstay of management.

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.