Pigmentary disorders: naevus spilus: 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: naevus spilus

Sample item

A tan background patch speckled with darker small macules and papules on the trunk, present since childhood, is called:

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Naevus spilus (speckled lentiginous naevus)

Naevus spilus is a café-au-lait-like patch containing darker speckles that are junctional or compound naevi. It is usually benign, but the speckles need monitoring because rare melanomas have been reported. Regular skin checks are advised.

Option by option

  • A. Becker naevus

    Becker naevus is a hairy hyperpigmented patch appearing after puberty.

  • B. Naevus of Ito

    Naevus of Ito is dermal melanocytosis of the shoulder and supraclavicular region.

  • C. Blue naevus

    Blue naevus is a solitary blue-black papule.

  • D. Naevus spilus (speckled lentiginous naevus) (correct)

    Correct. A tan patch with dark speckles is naevus spilus.

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, Naevus spilus (speckled lentiginous naevus). Naevus spilus is a café-au-lait-like patch containing darker speckles that are junctional or compound naevi.

Why is "Becker naevus" not the answer?

Becker naevus is a hairy hyperpigmented patch appearing after puberty.

Why is "Naevus of Ito" not the answer?

Naevus of Ito is dermal melanocytosis of the shoulder and supraclavicular region.

Why is "Blue naevus" not the answer?

Blue naevus is a solitary blue-black papule.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigmentary disorders: naevus spilus in Dermatology. It is usually benign, but the speckles need monitoring because rare melanomas have been reported. Regular skin checks are 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: naevus spilus?

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.