Vascular disorders: cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Vascular disorders: cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa

Sample item

A young woman has tender subcutaneous nodules and livedo reticularis on the legs for several months, with no renal, neurological or visceral involvement. Biopsy shows medium-vessel necrotising vasculitis. What is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is a skin-limited medium-vessel vasculitis with tender nodules, livedo and ulcers. It follows a relapsing but generally benign course and can follow streptococcal infection. Systemic involvement is absent by definition.

Option by option

  • A. Erythema nodosum

    Erythema nodosum is septal panniculitis without vasculitis.

  • B. Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (correct)

    Correct. Skin-limited medium-vessel vasculitis is cutaneous PAN.

  • C. Classic systemic polyarteritis nodosa

    Systemic PAN involves visceral organs.

  • D. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis

    GPA involves the respiratory tract and kidneys with c-ANCA.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa. Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is a skin-limited medium-vessel vasculitis with tender nodules, livedo and ulcers.

Why is "Erythema nodosum" not the answer?

Erythema nodosum is septal panniculitis without vasculitis.

Why is "Classic systemic polyarteritis nodosa" not the answer?

Systemic PAN involves visceral organs.

Why is "Granulomatosis with polyangiitis" not the answer?

GPA involves the respiratory tract and kidneys with c-ANCA.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vascular disorders: cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa in Dermatology. It follows a relapsing but generally benign course and can follow streptococcal infection. Systemic involvement is absent by definition.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Vascular disorders: cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.