Question:medium

A 20-year-old patient presents with a non-progressive hypopigmented lesion on the trunk. On Wood's lamp examination, there is white accentuation. Diascopy is negative. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Show Hint

Non-progressive hypopigmented patch with negative diascopy suggests nevus depigmentosus.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • Vitiligo
  • Nevus depigmentosus
  • Nevus anemicus
  • Indeterminate leprosy
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to differentiate between several common hypopigmented lesions based on clinical history and examination findings.
Key features: "non-progressive", "white accentuation on Wood's lamp", and "negative diascopy".
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Analyzing the findings:

Non-progressive: Suggests a stable, often congenital lesion rather than an acquired, spreading condition like Vitiligo.

Wood's Lamp White Accentuation: Indicates a significant loss of melanin. In vitiligo, the loss is total (depigmentation), leading to "bright blue-white" fluorescence. In nevus depigmentosus, there is a reduction in melanin (hypopigmentation), leading to "off-white" accentuation.

Diascopy Negative: This is a crucial test. In Nevus anemicus (C), the lesion disappears on diascopy because it is caused by localized vascular hypersensitivity, not pigment loss. A negative diascopy (lesion stays visible) rules out Nevus anemicus.


Evaluating the Diagnosis:

Nevus depigmentosus (B): Is a stable, non-progressive hypopigmented patch present from birth or early childhood. It shows off-white accentuation on Wood's lamp.

Vitiligo (A): Is usually progressive and acquired, though stable forms exist.


Step 3: Final Answer:
Based on the stability of the lesion and the negative diascopy, Nevus depigmentosus is the most likely clinical diagnosis.
Was this answer helpful?
0