Pigmentary disorders: halo naevus: 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: halo naevus

Sample item

A 14-year-old has a brown mole on the back surrounded by a symmetrical ring of depigmented skin. What should be done?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Reassure and examine the skin for other naevi and vitiligo

A halo naevus (Sutton naevus) is a melanocytic naevus with a surrounding depigmentation due to immune-mediated regression, common in adolescents. The naevus usually regresses and the halo repigments. It is associated with vitiligo in some patients, so skin examination is advised.

Option by option

  • A. Start methotrexate

    Immunosuppression is not indicated.

  • B. Start oral antibiotics

    It is not infectious.

  • C. Reassure and examine the skin for other naevi and vitiligo (correct)

    Correct. Reassurance and examination for other lesions and vitiligo is appropriate.

  • D. Urgent wide excision

    Excision is not required for a typical halo naevus.

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 C, Reassure and examine the skin for other naevi and vitiligo. A halo naevus (Sutton naevus) is a melanocytic naevus with a surrounding depigmentation due to immune-mediated regression, common in adolescents.

Why is "Start methotrexate" not the answer?

Immunosuppression is not indicated.

Why is "Start oral antibiotics" not the answer?

It is not infectious.

Why is "Urgent wide excision" not the answer?

Excision is not required for a typical halo naevus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigmentary disorders: halo naevus in Dermatology. The naevus usually regresses and the halo repigments. It is associated with vitiligo in some patients, so skin examination is advised.

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: halo naevus?

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.