Papulosquamous disorders: Ludwig pattern hair loss: 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: Ludwig pattern hair loss

Sample item

A 40-year-old woman notices a widening central parting with diffuse thinning over the crown. The frontal hairline is preserved, there is no shedding of club hairs, and the scalp looks normal. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Female pattern hair loss

Female pattern hair loss (Ludwig pattern) is an androgen-related progressive thinning of the central scalp with a preserved frontal line. Topical minoxidil is first-line treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Alopecia areata

    Alopecia areata causes discrete smooth non-scarring patches.

  • B. Telogen effluvium

    Telogen effluvium causes diffuse shedding after a trigger, with a positive pull test and no pattern.

  • C. Traction alopecia

    Traction alopecia causes loss at the margins where hair is pulled tight.

  • D. Female pattern hair loss (correct)

    Correct. Central thinning with a preserved frontal hairline is female pattern hair loss.

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, Female pattern hair loss. Female pattern hair loss (Ludwig pattern) is an androgen-related progressive thinning of the central scalp with a preserved frontal line.

Why is "Alopecia areata" not the answer?

Alopecia areata causes discrete smooth non-scarring patches.

Why is "Telogen effluvium" not the answer?

Telogen effluvium causes diffuse shedding after a trigger, with a positive pull test and no pattern.

Why is "Traction alopecia" not the answer?

Traction alopecia causes loss at the margins where hair is pulled tight.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: Ludwig pattern hair loss in Dermatology. Topical minoxidil is first-line treatment.

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: Ludwig pattern hair loss?

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.