Vascular surgery: filarial lymphoedema: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Vascular surgery: filarial lymphoedema

Sample item

A man from an endemic area has gross non-pitting leg swelling with thickened skin and recurrent cellulitis. What is the commonest cause of lymphoedema in India?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Filariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti

Lymphatic filariasis is the commonest cause in India and is treated with diethylcarbamazine, limb hygiene, elevation and compression. Surgery such as the Charles operation or lymphovenous anastomosis is for advanced cases.

Option by option

  • A. Breast cancer surgery

    Post-mastectomy lymphoedema is common in the West.

  • B. Recurrent DVT

    DVT causes pitting oedema and post-thrombotic changes.

  • C. Congenital Milroy disease

    Milroy disease is rare.

  • D. Filariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti (correct)

    Correct. Filariasis is the dominant cause.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Filariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti. Lymphatic filariasis is the commonest cause in India and is treated with diethylcarbamazine, limb hygiene, elevation and compression.

Why is "Breast cancer surgery" not the answer?

Post-mastectomy lymphoedema is common in the West.

Why is "Recurrent DVT" not the answer?

DVT causes pitting oedema and post-thrombotic changes.

Why is "Congenital Milroy disease" not the answer?

Milroy disease is rare.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vascular surgery: filarial lymphoedema in General Surgery. Surgery such as the Charles operation or lymphovenous anastomosis is for advanced cases.

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 Vascular surgery: filarial lymphoedema?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.