The most common cause of laryngeal stridor in a 60 year old male is –
**Core Concept**
Laryngeal stridor refers to a high-pitched, inspiratory sound caused by turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed upper airway. This condition can be life-threatening and often requires prompt medical attention. In a 60-year-old male, the most common cause of laryngeal stridor is usually a neoplastic process.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The most common cause of laryngeal stridor in a 60-year-old male is laryngeal cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer often arises from the mucosal surfaces of the larynx and can cause progressive airway obstruction, resulting in stridor. The tumor can cause narrowing of the glottic or subglottic airway, leading to turbulent airflow and stridor. The glottic opening is the narrowest part of the larynx, making it a common site for tumor growth and airway obstruction.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Acute epiglottitis is a medical emergency that typically affects young children, not adults. It is characterized by inflammation of the epiglottis, which can cause airway obstruction, but it is not the most common cause of laryngeal stridor in a 60-year-old male.
* **Option B:** Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause stridor, but it is not the most common cause of laryngeal stridor in a 60-year-old male. COPD typically causes stridor due to chronic airway inflammation and hyperinflation, rather than a neoplastic process.
* **Option C:** Vocal cord paralysis can cause stridor, but it is not the most common cause of laryngeal stridor in a 60-year-old male. Vocal cord paralysis is often caused by nerve damage or tumors, but it is less common than laryngeal cancer as a cause of stridor.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Laryngeal cancer is a common cause of laryngeal stridor in older adults, and it often presents with hoarseness, dysphagia, and neck mass. A high index of suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and treatment.
**Correct Answer:** C.