This quiz is just for fun. Test your diagnostic skills with the photos, then separate truth from fiction in the statements about growth hormone and peptic ulcer. Any of the statements below might be true… and any might just be us pulling your leg. Answers are below.
1. Match the pictures below to the following conditions:
a) Alopecia areata
b) Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides
c) Tinea capitis
d) Androgenetic alopecia (classic male pattern)
e) Seborrheic dermatitis
f) Perifolliculitis
g) Traction alopecia
h) Discoid lupus
i) Androgenetic alopecia (in a woman)

2. What disease afflicts this 15th-century Italian grandfather?

3. Growth hormone:
True False
a) ... 2.5% of the population suffers a deficiency
b) ... is approved in Canada for the treatment of idiopathic short stature in children
c) ... is approved in Canada for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in adults
d) ... can make children of average height grow taller
e) ... is associated with a risk of splenomegaly
4. These are common symptoms of peptic ulcer:
True False
a) ... pain increases after eating
b) ... pain decreases after eating
c) ... persistent vomiting
d) ... symptoms ‘on’ for a few weeks, then ‘off’ for a few months
e) ... pain at night
1. Match the pictures below to the following conditions: 1.d) Androgenetic alopecia (classic male pattern); 2.i) Androgenetic alopecia (in a woman); 3.g) Traction alopecia; 4.a) Alopecia areata; 5.c) Tinea capitis; 6.h) Discoid lupus; 7.b) Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides; 8.e) Seborrheic dermatitis; 9.f) Perifolliculitis.
2. What disease afflicts this 15th-century Italian grandfather? Rosacea.
3. Growth hormone: a) False. 2.5% of the population is the proportion defined as ‘short.’ Only about 1 in 10,000 suffers a deficiency of growth hormone; b) False. Evidence is conflicting on whether it helps such children grow, and experts accept there will always be a shortest 2.5% anyway; c) True, though most such adults are untreated; d) False. There would be a temporary growth spurt but no increase in final height; e) False. Growth hormone has few known side effects.
4. These are common symptoms of peptic ulcer: a) True; b) True. Some find eating makes it worse, some find it eases the pain. Most see an effect from food; c) False. Like anemia and weight loss, this is a cancer red flag calling for swift gastroscopy; d) True. Typically relapses and remits for 1 or 2 decades, then resolves; e) True, nocturnal pain is common.
We'll send you $100 if we print your diagnostic challenge. Send case description (app. 450 words) with final diagnosis and outcome to: parkex@parkpub.com.