Leprosy: pure neuritic leprosy: 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: pure neuritic leprosy

Sample item

A patient has thickened tender ulnar and common peroneal nerves with loss of sensation in their distribution, but no skin lesions. Which investigation confirms the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Nerve biopsy

Pure neuritic leprosy is common in India and Nepal and often cannot be confirmed by skin smears. A biopsy of a cutaneous or sensory nerve such as the radial cutaneous or sural nerve shows granulomas or bacilli.

Option by option

  • A. Lepromin test only

    Lepromin is not diagnostic.

  • B. Slit skin smear from earlobes only

    Smears from earlobes are usually negative in pure neuritic disease.

  • C. Nerve biopsy (correct)

    Correct. Nerve biopsy establishes the diagnosis when skin is normal.

  • D. Wood's lamp examination

    Wood's lamp is not diagnostic for 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 C, Nerve biopsy. Pure neuritic leprosy is common in India and Nepal and often cannot be confirmed by skin smears.

Why is "Lepromin test only" not the answer?

Lepromin is not diagnostic.

Why is "Slit skin smear from earlobes only" not the answer?

Smears from earlobes are usually negative in pure neuritic disease.

Why is "Wood's lamp examination" not the answer?

Wood's lamp is not diagnostic for leprosy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: pure neuritic leprosy in Dermatology. A biopsy of a cutaneous or sensory nerve such as the radial cutaneous or sural nerve shows granulomas or bacilli.

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: pure neuritic leprosy?

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.