Leprosy: tuberculoid 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: tuberculoid leprosy

Sample item

A man has a solitary, well-defined, dry, hairless, anaesthetic plaque with raised edges and a thickened nerve emerging from it. Slit skin smear is negative. Which is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tuberculoid leprosy

Tuberculoid leprosy shows few, sharply demarcated, anaesthetic lesions with early nerve thickening, a negative smear and a strongly positive lepromin test. The immune response is good but can damage nerves.

Option by option

  • A. Pityriasis alba

    Pityriasis alba has normal sensation and no nerve thickening.

  • B. Tuberculoid leprosy (correct)

    Correct. A solitary anaesthetic plaque with thickened nerve is typical.

  • C. Lepromatous leprosy

    Lepromatous leprosy has many symmetric lesions with positive smears.

  • D. Granuloma annulare

    Granuloma annulare has normal sensation and a ring of papules.

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, Tuberculoid leprosy. Tuberculoid leprosy shows few, sharply demarcated, anaesthetic lesions with early nerve thickening, a negative smear and a strongly positive lepromin test.

Why is "Pityriasis alba" not the answer?

Pityriasis alba has normal sensation and no nerve thickening.

Why is "Lepromatous leprosy" not the answer?

Lepromatous leprosy has many symmetric lesions with positive smears.

Why is "Granuloma annulare" not the answer?

Granuloma annulare has normal sensation and a ring of papules.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: tuberculoid leprosy in Dermatology. The immune response is good but can damage nerves.

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: tuberculoid 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.