Pigmentary disorders: Becker naevus: 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 · Pigmentary disorders: Becker naevus

Sample item

A 15-year-old boy notices a unilateral, irregular brown patch with coarse dark hair on the shoulder and upper chest that became prominent after puberty. What is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Becker naevus

Becker naevus is an androgen-influenced, acquired hyperpigmented patch with hypertrichosis that becomes obvious in adolescent males over the shoulder or chest. Histology shows epidermal hyperplasia and sometimes smooth muscle hamartoma. It is benign and treatment is cosmetic.

Option by option

  • A. Naevus of Ota

    Naevus of Ota involves the trigeminal V1 and V2 territory.

  • B. Mongolian spot

    Mongolian spots are blue-grey sacral patches in infants.

  • C. Congenital melanocytic naevus

    Congenital melanocytic naevus is present at birth.

  • D. Becker naevus (correct)

    Correct. Becker naevus appears at puberty with hair-bearing pigmentation.

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.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Becker naevus. Becker naevus is an androgen-influenced, acquired hyperpigmented patch with hypertrichosis that becomes obvious in adolescent males over the shoulder or chest.

Why is "Naevus of Ota" not the answer?

Naevus of Ota involves the trigeminal V1 and V2 territory.

Why is "Mongolian spot" not the answer?

Mongolian spots are blue-grey sacral patches in infants.

Why is "Congenital melanocytic naevus" not the answer?

Congenital melanocytic naevus is present at birth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigmentary disorders: Becker naevus in Dermatology. Histology shows epidermal hyperplasia and sometimes smooth muscle hamartoma. It is benign and treatment is cosmetic.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Pigmentary disorders: Becker naevus?

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.