Skin tumours: xanthelasma: 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: xanthelasma

Sample item

A 45-year-old woman has soft, flat, yellowish plaques symmetrically on the inner aspects of both upper eyelids. What is the most appropriate first investigation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Fasting lipid profile

Xanthelasma palpebrarum is a lipid deposit in the eyelid skin. Many patients have dyslipidaemia, so a lipid profile is done, though a substantial number have normal lipids.

Option by option

  • A. Serum calcium

    Calcium is not a cause of yellow eyelid plaques.

  • B. Thyroid autoantibodies

    Thyroid antibodies are not routinely linked to xanthelasma.

  • C. Skin biopsy

    A biopsy is rarely needed because the appearance is characteristic.

  • D. Fasting lipid profile (correct)

    Correct. A lipid profile is the first step in evaluating xanthelasma.

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, Fasting lipid profile. Xanthelasma palpebrarum is a lipid deposit in the eyelid skin.

Why is "Serum calcium" not the answer?

Calcium is not a cause of yellow eyelid plaques.

Why is "Thyroid autoantibodies" not the answer?

Thyroid antibodies are not routinely linked to xanthelasma.

Why is "Skin biopsy" not the answer?

A biopsy is rarely needed because the appearance is characteristic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: xanthelasma in Dermatology. Many patients have dyslipidaemia, so a lipid profile is done, though a substantial number have normal lipids.

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: xanthelasma?

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.