Skin tumours: pilomatricoma: 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 · Skin tumours: pilomatricoma

Sample item

An 8-year-old has a firm, stony-hard, skin-coloured nodule on the cheek that shows angular edges when the skin is stretched (tent sign). Histology would show:

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Basaloid cells and ghost (shadow) cells with calcification

Pilomatricoma (calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe) is a benign hair matrix tumour of children, usually on the head and neck, with a hard calcified nodule. Histology shows basaloid and shadow cells with calcification, and it is treated by excision. Beta-catenin gene mutations are found.

Option by option

  • A. Koilocytes

    Koilocytes are in HPV lesions.

  • B. Epidermal acantholysis

    Acantholysis is in pemphigus.

  • C. Touton giant cells

    Touton giant cells are in juvenile xanthogranuloma.

  • D. Basaloid cells and ghost (shadow) cells with calcification (correct)

    Correct. Basaloid and shadow cells with calcification are typical.

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, Basaloid cells and ghost (shadow) cells with calcification. Pilomatricoma (calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe) is a benign hair matrix tumour of children, usually on the head and neck, with a hard calcified nodule.

Why is "Koilocytes" not the answer?

Koilocytes are in HPV lesions.

Why is "Epidermal acantholysis" not the answer?

Acantholysis is in pemphigus.

Why is "Touton giant cells" not the answer?

Touton giant cells are in juvenile xanthogranuloma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: pilomatricoma in Dermatology. Histology shows basaloid and shadow cells with calcification, and it is treated by excision. Beta-catenin gene mutations are found.

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 Skin tumours: pilomatricoma?

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.