Dermatology: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: 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 · Dermatology: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

Sample item

A 25-year-old has recurrent episodes of lip and facial swelling, a fissured tongue and an episode of lower motor neuron facial palsy. Biopsy of the lip shows non-caseating granulomas. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (orofacial granulomatosis)

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is the triad of recurrent orofacial swelling, fissured tongue and facial palsy, with granulomatous cheilitis on biopsy. Treatment includes intralesional or systemic steroids. Hereditary angioedema lacks granulomas and is bradykinin-mediated.

Option by option

  • A. Ramsay Hunt syndrome

    Ramsay Hunt syndrome has vesicles in the ear canal.

  • B. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (orofacial granulomatosis) (correct)

    Correct. Orofacial swelling, fissured tongue and facial palsy define the syndrome.

  • C. Hereditary angioedema

    Hereditary angioedema does not cause granulomas or fissured tongue.

  • D. Sarcoidosis with Heerfordt only

    Heerfordt syndrome involves uveitis and parotid enlargement.

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 B, Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (orofacial granulomatosis). Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is the triad of recurrent orofacial swelling, fissured tongue and facial palsy, with granulomatous cheilitis on biopsy.

Why is "Ramsay Hunt syndrome" not the answer?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome has vesicles in the ear canal.

Why is "Hereditary angioedema" not the answer?

Hereditary angioedema does not cause granulomas or fissured tongue.

Why is "Sarcoidosis with Heerfordt only" not the answer?

Heerfordt syndrome involves uveitis and parotid enlargement.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dermatology: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome in Dermatology. Treatment includes intralesional or systemic steroids. Hereditary angioedema lacks granulomas and is bradykinin-mediated.

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 Dermatology: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome?

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.