Pigmentary disorders: confluent and reticulated papillomatosis: 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: confluent and reticulated papillomatosis

Sample item

An overweight young adult has asymptomatic brown reticulated papules coalescing into plaques on the chest and between the shoulder blades. KOH is negative and antifungals have failed. Which treatment is most likely to work?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Oral minocycline

Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud responds to oral minocycline in most patients. KOH is negative and antifungals do not help.

Option by option

  • A. Topical hydroquinone

    Hydroquinone lightens pigment but does not treat papillomatosis.

  • B. Oral minocycline (correct)

    Correct. Minocycline is the usual effective treatment.

  • C. Methotrexate

    Methotrexate is for psoriasis and is not used in this benign condition.

  • D. Oral griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin treats dermatophytes, which are excluded by the negative KOH.

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 B, Oral minocycline. Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud responds to oral minocycline in most patients.

Why is "Topical hydroquinone" not the answer?

Hydroquinone lightens pigment but does not treat papillomatosis.

Why is "Methotrexate" not the answer?

Methotrexate is for psoriasis and is not used in this benign condition.

Why is "Oral griseofulvin" not the answer?

Griseofulvin treats dermatophytes, which are excluded by the negative KOH.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigmentary disorders: confluent and reticulated papillomatosis in Dermatology. KOH is negative and antifungals do not help.

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: confluent and reticulated papillomatosis?

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.