Connective tissue disease: morphea: 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 · Connective tissue disease: morphea

Sample item

A girl has a depressed, firm, hairless linear band of sclerotic skin extending across the forehead into the scalp. She has no Raynaud phenomenon or internal organ involvement. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Linear morphea (en coup de sabre)

Morphea is localised scleroderma limited to skin and underlying tissues, and the linear frontal form is called en coup de sabre. Unlike systemic sclerosis, there is no Raynaud phenomenon, sclerodactyly or visceral disease.

Option by option

  • A. Limited systemic sclerosis

    Limited systemic sclerosis has Raynaud phenomenon and sclerodactyly.

  • B. Dermatomyositis

    Dermatomyositis has heliotrope rash and weakness.

  • C. Lichen planus

    Lichen planus has violaceous papules.

  • D. Linear morphea (en coup de sabre) (correct)

    Correct. The frontal linear band is en coup de sabre morphea.

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, Linear morphea (en coup de sabre). Morphea is localised scleroderma limited to skin and underlying tissues, and the linear frontal form is called en coup de sabre.

Why is "Limited systemic sclerosis" not the answer?

Limited systemic sclerosis has Raynaud phenomenon and sclerodactyly.

Why is "Dermatomyositis" not the answer?

Dermatomyositis has heliotrope rash and weakness.

Why is "Lichen planus" not the answer?

Lichen planus has violaceous papules.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Connective tissue disease: morphea in Dermatology. Unlike systemic sclerosis, there is no Raynaud phenomenon, sclerodactyly or visceral disease.

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 Connective tissue disease: morphea?

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.