December Practice Questions

---

All answers with explanations can be found at the end of the page!

---

1. A 21-year-old man attends the GP complaining of hair loss. He is very concerned that he is going bald but otherwise healthy with no relevant past medical history.

On examination, there are several patches of hair loss across his scalp. Within the patches there are no visible follicles remaining and the skin is scarred. Around the patches there are pustules at the follicle base and there are multiple hairs originating from each follicle.

Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Folliculitis decalvans

B. Androgenetic alopecia

C. Hypothyroidism

D. Telogen effluvium

E. Alopecia areata

2. A 28-year-old female with a background of Grave’s disease presents with patchy hair loss. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her hair loss?

A. Androgenic alopecia

B. Hypothyroidism

C. Traction alopecia

D. Telogen effluvium

E. Alopecia areata

3. A 27-year-old male presents to his GP complaining of hair loss. It is concerning him and he is looking for a diagnosis. On Examination the following is seen:

Figure 1: Hair Loss of patient (2)

Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Alopecia areata

B. Telogen effluvium

C. Folliculitis decalvans

D. Androgenic alopecia

E. Lichen planopilaris

4. A 24 year old female presents to the GP as she has noticed her hair thinning because of increased shedding. She has no past medical history of note. She gave birth 4 months ago. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Female pattern hair loss

B. Anagen Effluvium

C. Telogen effluvium

D. Tinea capitis

E. Hypothyroidism

5. A 38 year old male presents to his GP after noticing a gradual recession of his hairline. He says this started in his early thirties but has increased recently. He has no past medical history and works as an accountant. Which is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Telogen effluvium

B. Tinea capitis

C. Alopecia areata

D. Androgenic alopecia

E. Hair loss from stress

---

We hope you found these questions useful. For the answers, please refer below

---

Answer 1: A

Explanation: This is the only option that causes a scarring alopecia. Folliculitis decalvans causes a scarring alopecia with peri-follicular pustules and multiple hairs originating from a single follicle. (1)

Answer 2: E

Explanation: The patient’s history of thyroid disease raises the suspicion of an autoimmune cause of hair loss, which is a known association with alopecia areata. Other causes of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia, and cicatricial alopecia, would be less likely in this case given the patient’s history. (1)

Answer 3: A

Explanation: The patient has alopecia areata. This causes well-demarcated patches of hair loss.

Answer 4: C

Explanation: The patient has Telogen effluvium, this is a common cause of temporary hair loss due to excessive shedding after some shock to the system, including pregnancy. It occurs 2-6 months after an event that stops active hair growth. (3)

Answer 5: D

Explanation: The man has androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. This is graded using the Norwood scale. It affects the vertex and temporal scalp and is caused by a combination of hormones and a genetic predisposition. It is characterised by a receding hairline and hair loss on the top and front of the head. (3)

References

1. Dermatology questions [Internet]. 2023. Available from Quesmed.com

2. Alopecia Areata [Internet]. 2023. Available from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/70957#symptoms

3. Follicular Disorders – Hair Loss [Internet]. 2023. Available from https://dermsocdundee.wixsite.com/dermsocdundee/post/follicular-disorders-hair-loss