Papulosquamous disorders: eosinophilic fasciitis: 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 · Papulosquamous disorders: eosinophilic fasciitis

Sample item

After strenuous exercise, a 40-year-old man has symmetric painful swelling, then woody induration with an orange-peel look of the forearms and legs. The fingers are spared, there is no Raynaud phenomenon, a groove runs along the veins, and eosinophils are 1800 per microlitre. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Eosinophilic fasciitis

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a sclerosing disorder of the fascia with peripheral eosinophilia, a groove sign and sparing of the hands. It responds to systemic steroids, and a full-thickness biopsy to the fascia confirms it.

Option by option

  • A. Scleromyxoedema

    Scleromyxoedema gives waxy papules and a paraprotein.

  • B. Systemic sclerosis

    Systemic sclerosis starts in the fingers with Raynaud phenomenon.

  • C. Morphoea

    Morphoea is a localised patch of sclerosis, not symmetric limb induration.

  • D. Eosinophilic fasciitis (correct)

    Correct. Fascial induration with a groove sign, sparing of the fingers and eosinophilia indicates eosinophilic fasciitis.

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, Eosinophilic fasciitis. Eosinophilic fasciitis is a sclerosing disorder of the fascia with peripheral eosinophilia, a groove sign and sparing of the hands.

Why is "Scleromyxoedema" not the answer?

Scleromyxoedema gives waxy papules and a paraprotein.

Why is "Systemic sclerosis" not the answer?

Systemic sclerosis starts in the fingers with Raynaud phenomenon.

Why is "Morphoea" not the answer?

Morphoea is a localised patch of sclerosis, not symmetric limb induration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: eosinophilic fasciitis in Dermatology. It responds to systemic steroids, and a full-thickness biopsy to the fascia confirms it.

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 Papulosquamous disorders: eosinophilic fasciitis?

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.