Cutaneous tuberculosis: lupus vulgaris: 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 · Cutaneous tuberculosis: lupus vulgaris

Sample item

A woman has a slowly enlarging red-brown plaque on the face with soft nodules that look yellowish-brown, like apple jelly, when pressed with a glass slide. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Lupus vulgaris

Lupus vulgaris is a chronic progressive form of cutaneous tuberculosis in a person with good immunity. The apple-jelly colour on diascopy reflects granulomatous infiltrate, and it is treated with antitubercular therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Lepromatous leprosy

    Lepromatous leprosy shows symmetric nodules with loss of eyebrows and no apple-jelly sign.

  • B. Discoid lupus erythematosus

    Discoid lupus has scarring, follicular plugging and atrophy rather than apple-jelly nodules.

  • C. Sarcoidosis

    Sarcoidosis may show apple-jelly colour but is a noninfectious diagnosis of exclusion with sterile granulomas.

  • D. Lupus vulgaris (correct)

    Correct. Apple-jelly nodules on diascopy are classic.

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 D, Lupus vulgaris. Lupus vulgaris is a chronic progressive form of cutaneous tuberculosis in a person with good immunity.

Why is "Lepromatous leprosy" not the answer?

Lepromatous leprosy shows symmetric nodules with loss of eyebrows and no apple-jelly sign.

Why is "Discoid lupus erythematosus" not the answer?

Discoid lupus has scarring, follicular plugging and atrophy rather than apple-jelly nodules.

Why is "Sarcoidosis" not the answer?

Sarcoidosis may show apple-jelly colour but is a noninfectious diagnosis of exclusion with sterile granulomas.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cutaneous tuberculosis: lupus vulgaris in Dermatology. The apple-jelly colour on diascopy reflects granulomatous infiltrate, and it is treated with antitubercular therapy.

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 Cutaneous tuberculosis: lupus vulgaris?

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.