Carbuncle of the neck classically presents as which description?

• A. Red, erythematous, painful nodule with multiple overlying pustules
• B. Slowly enlarging tender nodule that started as a pimple that progressively grew larger, became tender and fluctuant
• C. Painless, mobile nodule without skin changes
• D. Small vesiculopustular rash over the neck

Answer: (B)

Carbuncle is a deeper skin infection of hair follicles that typically begins as a small, pimple‑like lesion and evolves into a larger, tender, fluctuant lump with surrounding redness. This progression to a soft, pus-filled mass reflects multiple infected follicles coalescing into interconnected abscesses, which is the hallmark of a neck carbuncle. The other descriptions describe more superficial processes or painless nodules: a superficial erythematous nodule with surface pustules lacks the deep fluctuant abscess; a painless, mobile nodule without skin changes suggests a benign lesion; a small vesiculopustular rash points to a rash rather than a localized abscess.