Hair disorders: lichen planopilaris: 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Hair disorders: lichen planopilaris

Sample item

A 45-year-old woman has burning, itchy scalp patches with perifollicular erythema and scale at the margins and loss of follicular openings. Biopsy shows lichenoid interface change around the follicle. What is the best description?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lichen planopilaris, a scarring alopecia

Lichen planopilaris is a primary lymphocytic scarring alopecia with perifollicular erythema and scale and permanent follicle loss. Early treatment with potent topical or intralesional steroids, hydroxychloroquine or other immunomodulators can halt progression. It may coexist with lichen planus elsewhere.

Option by option

  • A. Trichotillomania

    Trichotillomania shows broken hairs of varying length.

  • B. Alopecia areata

    Alopecia areata is non-scarring with exclamation mark hairs.

  • C. Lichen planopilaris, a scarring alopecia (correct)

    Correct. Perifollicular scale and erythema with scarring indicate lichen planopilaris.

  • D. Telogen effluvium

    Telogen effluvium is diffuse non-scarring shedding.

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, Lichen planopilaris, a scarring alopecia. Lichen planopilaris is a primary lymphocytic scarring alopecia with perifollicular erythema and scale and permanent follicle loss.

Why is "Trichotillomania" not the answer?

Trichotillomania shows broken hairs of varying length.

Why is "Alopecia areata" not the answer?

Alopecia areata is non-scarring with exclamation mark hairs.

Why is "Telogen effluvium" not the answer?

Telogen effluvium is diffuse non-scarring shedding.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hair disorders: lichen planopilaris in Dermatology. Early treatment with potent topical or intralesional steroids, hydroxychloroquine or other immunomodulators can halt progression. It may coexist with lichen planus elsewhere.

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 Hair disorders: lichen planopilaris?

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.