Hair disorders: frontal fibrosing alopecia: 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 · Hair disorders: frontal fibrosing alopecia

Sample item

A 60-year-old postmenopausal woman has progressive band-like recession of the frontal hairline and complete loss of the eyebrows, with a few isolated hairs left in the bald area. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Frontal fibrosing alopecia

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a variant of lichen planopilaris in postmenopausal women with band-like frontotemporal recession, eyebrow loss and lonely hairs. Treatment uses 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, topical or intralesional steroids and hydroxychloroquine. Scarring is permanent.

Option by option

  • A. Female pattern hair loss

    Female pattern hair loss spares the frontal hairline.

  • B. Telogen effluvium

    Telogen effluvium is diffuse and reversible.

  • C. Traction alopecia

    Traction alopecia relates to hairstyles and does not cause eyebrow loss.

  • D. Frontal fibrosing alopecia (correct)

    Correct. Band-like recession with eyebrow loss is frontal fibrosing alopecia.

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, Frontal fibrosing alopecia. Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a variant of lichen planopilaris in postmenopausal women with band-like frontotemporal recession, eyebrow loss and lonely hairs.

Why is "Female pattern hair loss" not the answer?

Female pattern hair loss spares the frontal hairline.

Why is "Telogen effluvium" not the answer?

Telogen effluvium is diffuse and reversible.

Why is "Traction alopecia" not the answer?

Traction alopecia relates to hairstyles and does not cause eyebrow loss.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hair disorders: frontal fibrosing alopecia in Dermatology. Treatment uses 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, topical or intralesional steroids and hydroxychloroquine. Scarring is permanent.

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: frontal fibrosing alopecia?

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.