Leprosy: borderline tuberculoid lesions: 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 · Leprosy: borderline tuberculoid lesions

Sample item

A patient has a few large, well-defined, hypoaesthetic dry plaques, with several small lesions near the edge of the largest one. Smear is negative. Which type of leprosy is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Borderline tuberculoid

Borderline tuberculoid disease has a few large asymmetric plaques with sensory loss, often with small satellite lesions around the larger ones. It is unstable and may upgrade or downgrade in reactions.

Option by option

  • A. Indeterminate

    Indeterminate leprosy is a single ill-defined hypopigmented macule.

  • B. Polar lepromatous

    Polar lepromatous leprosy has numerous symmetrical, ill-defined lesions teeming with bacilli.

  • C. Mid-borderline

    Mid-borderline disease classically shows punched-out, inverted-saucer lesions with many varied morphologies.

  • D. Borderline tuberculoid (correct)

    Correct. Few large plaques with satellite lesions suggest borderline tuberculoid leprosy.

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 D, Borderline tuberculoid. Borderline tuberculoid disease has a few large asymmetric plaques with sensory loss, often with small satellite lesions around the larger ones.

Why is "Indeterminate" not the answer?

Indeterminate leprosy is a single ill-defined hypopigmented macule.

Why is "Polar lepromatous" not the answer?

Polar lepromatous leprosy has numerous symmetrical, ill-defined lesions teeming with bacilli.

Why is "Mid-borderline" not the answer?

Mid-borderline disease classically shows punched-out, inverted-saucer lesions with many varied morphologies.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: borderline tuberculoid lesions in Dermatology. It is unstable and may upgrade or downgrade in reactions.

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 Leprosy: borderline tuberculoid lesions?

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.