CM- Approach to Scaling Disorders Flashcards
Define the terms guttate, nummular, pityriasis.
Guttate - drop shaped
Nummular- shaped like a coin
Pityriasis- bran-like flakes of scale
What is a scale?
piece of stratum corneum. Usually they are so small that they go undetected, but in disorders, abnormal stratum corneum accumulates and forms visible flakes
What are the 3 main functions of skin?
- mechanical protection
- prevent water loss
- immunological defense
Describe the normal development of the skin [keratinization].
What 3 disruptions to keratinization can lead to scaling?
Pool of stem cells in basal cells mature as they rise to the stratum corneum. The end result takes 2 weeks and is an anucleate, non-viable corneocyte that populates the most superficial layer of the epidermis [80% protein, 20% lipids]
Shedding takes 2 weeks after degradation of the lipids and cell adhesion proteins.
Scaling can be caused by:
- increased proliferation of basal keratinocytes
- abnormal maturation
- increased retention of corneocytes
What is the effect of inflammation on scaling?
Inflammatory conditions –> released cytokines–> increased proliferation of basal keratinocytes
This results in excess, incompletely matured keratinocytes–> nucleated stratum corneum [parakeratosis]
What is parakeratosis?
What is the cause?
It is nucleated stratum corneum cells. It is caused by increased proliferation of basal keratinocytes leading to excess of incompletely matured cells
What is the pathogenesis of psoriasis?
- genetic predisposition [HLA-B27]
2. immune triggers that inappropriately activate the immune response
What is the histology of psoriasis?
- inflammatory cells in the epidermis and dermis
- accumulation of neutrophils [munro’s microabsesses]
- increased mitoses in keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells
- thickened epidermis [acanthosis]
- retention of nuclei in the horny layer with absence of granular layer
- parakeratotic hyperkeratosis [nucleated stratum corneum]
What are the 5 clinical patterns of psoriasis?
- plaque type [classic and most common]
- guttate type [drop-shaped]
- Inverse [ axilla, gluteal cleft] macerated/less obvious
- erythrodermic -diffuse over whole body
- pustular - localized to palms or soles
What 3 diagnostic clues point to psoriasis?
- Koebner phenomenon - primary lesion induced by trauma to the skin
- Nail involvement - pits, oil-drop changes, onycholysis [detachment of nail from nail bed]
- arthritis [asymmetric]
What areas of the body tend to be affected by psoriasis?
- scalp
- nails
- sacral area
- extensor surfaces
- shins & knees
- elbows
- palms and soles
What is the pathogenesis of secondary stage syphilis?
Cutaneous dissemination of treponema pallidum
Describe the histology of secondary syphilis.
- epidermal hyperkeratosis [thickening of stratum corneum]
- perivascular monocytes, lymphocytes and plasma cells in the dermal layer
- dilation and proliferation of capillaries and lymphatics in the dermis
- silver stain shows spirochetes
What is the “classic” presentation of secondary syphilis?
- red/brown macules or papules on trunk AND extremities [freq. palms and soles]
- diffuse hair loss/ lateral 1/3 of eyebrow loss
- “great imitator” - can mimic:
- ptyriasis rosea
- guttate psoriasis
- lichen planus
- sarcoidosis - condyloma lata- vesicles/pustules or mucus patches
What is the histology of seborrheic dermatitis?
- parakeratosis focally around the edges of follicular ostia [opening where hair emerges from the follicle]
- spongiosis [intracellular edema] with neutrophilic infiltrate