Pigmentary disorders: Hori naevus: 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 · Pigmentary disorders: Hori naevus

Sample item

A 35-year-old Asian woman has bilateral blue-grey-brown speckled macules over the cheeks, with no mucosal involvement and onset in adult life. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Acquired bilateral naevus of Ota-like macules (Hori naevus)

Hori naevus is a dermal melanocytosis of adults, with bilateral brown-blue macules on the zygomatic area. It responds to Q-switched lasers.

Option by option

  • A. Mongolian spot

    Mongolian spot is a sacral congenital patch.

  • B. Congenital naevus of Ota

    Congenital naevus of Ota is typically unilateral and present from birth or puberty.

  • C. Melasma

    Melasma is epidermal or mixed and looks brown and patchy, not speckled blue-grey.

  • D. Acquired bilateral naevus of Ota-like macules (Hori naevus) (correct)

    Correct. Bilateral zygomatic blue-grey macules in an adult fit Hori naevus.

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 D, Acquired bilateral naevus of Ota-like macules (Hori naevus). Hori naevus is a dermal melanocytosis of adults, with bilateral brown-blue macules on the zygomatic area.

Why is "Mongolian spot" not the answer?

Mongolian spot is a sacral congenital patch.

Why is "Congenital naevus of Ota" not the answer?

Congenital naevus of Ota is typically unilateral and present from birth or puberty.

Why is "Melasma" not the answer?

Melasma is epidermal or mixed and looks brown and patchy, not speckled blue-grey.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigmentary disorders: Hori naevus in Dermatology. It responds to Q-switched lasers.

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 Pigmentary disorders: Hori naevus?

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.