Metabolic skin signs: necrobiosis lipoidica: 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 · Metabolic skin signs: necrobiosis lipoidica

Sample item

A diabetic woman has a yellowish-brown, atrophic, shiny plaque with prominent telangiectasia over the shin that sometimes ulcerates. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Necrobiosis lipoidica

Necrobiosis lipoidica presents with yellow-brown atrophic plaques on the shins and is associated with diabetes, although it can occur without it. Biopsy shows layered necrobiotic granulomas, and treatment is topical or intralesional steroids with trauma avoidance.

Option by option

  • A. Stasis dermatitis

    Stasis dermatitis has scaling and haemosiderin staining with varicosities.

  • B. Erythema nodosum

    Erythema nodosum has tender red nodules.

  • C. Pretibial myxoedema

    Pretibial myxoedema has waxy nodules in Graves disease.

  • D. Necrobiosis lipoidica (correct)

    Correct. Yellow atrophic shin plaques with telangiectasia in diabetes indicate NL.

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.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Necrobiosis lipoidica. Necrobiosis lipoidica presents with yellow-brown atrophic plaques on the shins and is associated with diabetes, although it can occur without it.

Why is "Stasis dermatitis" not the answer?

Stasis dermatitis has scaling and haemosiderin staining with varicosities.

Why is "Erythema nodosum" not the answer?

Erythema nodosum has tender red nodules.

Why is "Pretibial myxoedema" not the answer?

Pretibial myxoedema has waxy nodules in Graves disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Metabolic skin signs: necrobiosis lipoidica in Dermatology. Biopsy shows layered necrobiotic granulomas, and treatment is topical or intralesional steroids with trauma avoidance.

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 Metabolic skin signs: necrobiosis lipoidica?

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.