Pigmentary disorders: 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

Sample item

A man has well-demarcated chalk-white macules on his hands and around his mouth. A skin biopsy shows an absence of melanocytes. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune loss of melanocytes, often with Koebner phenomenon and associations with thyroid disease and other autoimmune conditions.

Option by option

  • A. Nevus anaemicus

    Nevus anaemicus is a congenital pale patch that does not show absent melanocytes.

  • B. Tinea versicolor

    Tinea versicolor has scale and fungal elements.

  • C. Pityriasis alba

    Pityriasis alba has hypopigmented, scaly patches with melanocytes present.

  • D. Vitiligo (correct)

    Correct.

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, Vitiligo. Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune loss of melanocytes, often with Koebner phenomenon and associations with thyroid disease and other autoimmune conditions.

Why is "Nevus anaemicus" not the answer?

Nevus anaemicus is a congenital pale patch that does not show absent melanocytes.

Why is "Tinea versicolor" not the answer?

Tinea versicolor has scale and fungal elements.

Why is "Pityriasis alba" not the answer?

Pityriasis alba has hypopigmented, scaly patches with melanocytes present.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigmentary disorders in Dermatology. The correct option holds because: Correct.

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 Pigmentary disorders?

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.