Leprosy: leprosy mimic with fungal hyphae: 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: leprosy mimic with fungal hyphae

Sample item

A boy has an annular, scaly, hypopigmented patch with a raised edge on the trunk. Touch and pain sensation within the patch are normal, no nerve is thickened, and KOH shows branching hyphae. Which diagnosis is supported?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Tinea corporis

A scaly annular patch with an active edge and hyphae on KOH is tinea corporis. Leprosy patches show impaired sensation and a negative KOH result.

Option by option

  • A. Indeterminate leprosy

    Indeterminate leprosy gives a faint hypopigmented patch with minimal scale, and loss of sensation is variable.

  • B. Tuberculoid leprosy

    Tuberculoid leprosy shows a sensory deficit and a negative KOH.

  • C. Tinea corporis (correct)

    Correct. KOH-positive hyphae with normal sensation indicate tinea corporis.

  • D. Borderline tuberculoid leprosy

    Borderline tuberculoid leprosy also shows sensory loss and satellite lesions.

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 C, Tinea corporis. A scaly annular patch with an active edge and hyphae on KOH is tinea corporis.

Why is "Indeterminate leprosy" not the answer?

Indeterminate leprosy gives a faint hypopigmented patch with minimal scale, and loss of sensation is variable.

Why is "Tuberculoid leprosy" not the answer?

Tuberculoid leprosy shows a sensory deficit and a negative KOH.

Why is "Borderline tuberculoid leprosy" not the answer?

Borderline tuberculoid leprosy also shows sensory loss and satellite lesions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: leprosy mimic with fungal hyphae in Dermatology. Leprosy patches show impaired sensation and a negative KOH result.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: leprosy mimic with fungal hyphae?

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.