Skin tumours: Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon: 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: Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon

Sample item

An infant has a rapidly enlarging, firm, purple vascular tumour on the thigh with thrombocytopenia of 12,000 per microlitre, low fibrinogen and raised D-dimer. Which tumour is the likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma

Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon is a consumptive coagulopathy with profound thrombocytopenia caused by kaposiform haemangioendothelioma or tufted angioma, not common infantile haemangioma. Treatment with sirolimus, with vincristine or steroids as alternatives, is used. Propranolol is ineffective for these tumours.

Option by option

  • A. Pyogenic granuloma

    Pyogenic granuloma is a small bleeding papule.

  • B. Cherry angioma

    Cherry angioma is a small benign adult lesion.

  • C. Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma (correct)

    Correct. Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma causes Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon.

  • D. Infantile haemangioma

    Infantile haemangioma does not cause this coagulopathy.

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 C, Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma. Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon is a consumptive coagulopathy with profound thrombocytopenia caused by kaposiform haemangioendothelioma or tufted angioma, not common infantile haemangioma.

Why is "Pyogenic granuloma" not the answer?

Pyogenic granuloma is a small bleeding papule.

Why is "Cherry angioma" not the answer?

Cherry angioma is a small benign adult lesion.

Why is "Infantile haemangioma" not the answer?

Infantile haemangioma does not cause this coagulopathy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon in Dermatology. Treatment with sirolimus, with vincristine or steroids as alternatives, is used. Propranolol is ineffective for these tumours.

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 Skin tumours: Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon?

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.