Skin tumours: giant congenital melanocytic 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 · Skin tumours: giant congenital melanocytic naevus

Sample item

A newborn has a large bathing-trunk pigmented hairy naevus with multiple satellite lesions. At 4 months he has seizures. Which complication and investigation are relevant?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Neurocutaneous melanosis; MRI of the brain

Large congenital melanocytic naevi with multiple satellites carry a risk of neurocutaneous melanosis, a leptomeningeal melanocytic proliferation that can cause seizures and hydrocephalus. MRI of the brain is the key investigation. Melanoma risk in the naevus itself is also raised.

Option by option

  • A. Neurocutaneous melanosis; MRI of the brain (correct)

    Correct. Seizures with a giant naevus suggest neurocutaneous melanosis.

  • B. Neurofibromatosis; audiometry

    Neurofibromatosis presents with neurofibromas and cafe-au-lait macules.

  • C. Sturge-Weber syndrome; ophthalmic pressure

    Sturge-Weber involves a facial port-wine stain.

  • D. Tuberous sclerosis; renal ultrasound

    Tuberous sclerosis presents with ash-leaf macules and angiofibromas.

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 A, Neurocutaneous melanosis; MRI of the brain. Large congenital melanocytic naevi with multiple satellites carry a risk of neurocutaneous melanosis, a leptomeningeal melanocytic proliferation that can cause seizures and hydrocephalus.

Why is "Neurofibromatosis; audiometry" not the answer?

Neurofibromatosis presents with neurofibromas and cafe-au-lait macules.

Why is "Sturge-Weber syndrome; ophthalmic pressure" not the answer?

Sturge-Weber involves a facial port-wine stain.

Why is "Tuberous sclerosis; renal ultrasound" not the answer?

Tuberous sclerosis presents with ash-leaf macules and angiofibromas.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: giant congenital melanocytic naevus in Dermatology. MRI of the brain is the key investigation. Melanoma risk in the naevus itself is also raised.

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: giant congenital melanocytic 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.