Dermatology 1 Flashcards
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Macule
general and give an example
flat, non-palpable lesion
less than 1cm in size
e.g. freckle
Patch
Flat, non-palpable lesion
Greater than 1cm in size
Think macule, but bigger!
Papule
Raised, palpable, solid lesion that is a proliferation of cells in the epidermis and/or superficial dermis
Less than 1cm in size
Nodule
Raised, palpable, solid lesion
Deep seated- Located mid-deep dermis
Think papule, but deeper!
Pustule
variation of a papule (less than 1cm)
contains purulent fluid
Vesicle
General and example
variation on papule
Raised, circumscribed lesion
Contains clear to yellow-tinged serous fluid
Less than 1cm in size
e.g. HSV, Herpes Zoster, blister
Bulla
Raised, circumscribed lesion
Contains clear to yellow-tinged serous fluid
Greater than 1cm in size
Think vesicle, but larger!
Plaque
Raised, palpable flat-topped lesion
Can be formed by confluent papules
Greater than 1cm in size
Wheal
Localized edema
Variety of sizes, typically elevated - sometimes called papules and plaques
Transient, lasting <24 hours
Ulceration
full thickness loss of epidermal and dermal skin
graded by depth, can leak fluid or covered in hemorrhagic crust
Erosion
loss of superficial epidermis
think unhooded bulla
What is the difference between ulceration and erosion
erosion is surface level, an ulcer is deep.
Excoriation
superficial abrasion of the skin
typically result of scratching, rubbing, digging, squuezing of skin
Fissure
Vertical loss of epidermis extending through the epidermal and dermal skin
think deep cracks in the skin
Scales
Flakes or plates of compacted, desquamated layers or stratum corneum
Lichenification
Thickened, rough skin
Typically due to chronic inflammation and irritation
Woods Lamp Eval
use of black light for diagnosis
held 10-12 cm away
mostly for vitiligo and certain tinea infections
rarely used in practice
Microscopic eval
use a skin scrape (no blood should be drawn)
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) or Mineral Oil Prep
KOH Microscopic Eval
useful for Dx fungal infections
Mineral Oil microscopic eval
useful for Dx of mites (scabies)
Bacterial Cultures are used for
used for open wounds, pustules, cystic, lesions, rashes.
Viral culture
consider if vesicles are present
most common injections, what are they used for?
intralesional corticosteroids
epidermal inclusion cysts, cystic acne lesions, and more
(EDC) Electrodessication and curettage
How deep, and commonly used for
Use of electrocautery and scraping with a curette that results in the destruction of a superficial skin lesion.
common for carcinomas
EDC Process (3 steps)
- Curette over lesion in all 4 directions
- Cauterize skinwith safety margin
- Repeat for total of 3 passes
Shave biopsy
Used for superficial skin lesions to confirm diagnosis
Does not include the full thickness of the skin
No stitches required – the wound forms a scab that should heal in one to three weeks
Punch Biopsy
full thickness sample of the skin
A disposable, round stainless steel blade is rotated through the skin
Typically 3, 3.5, 4 mm punches are used
Suture may be used to close a punch biopsy wound or control bleeding, but it’s not necessary with smaller biopsy diameters
4 and larger typically need stitches
Excisional Biopsy
typically done by dermatologist/derm surgeon
the complete removal of a skin lesion w a margin surounding tissue taken to minimize recurrence
MOHS
Lower recurrence rate
done by derm surgeon
complete histologic analysis of the tumor margins while permitting the max conservation of tissue.
MOHS indicators (4)
- Location on face, nose, lips, ears, hands, scalp, groin
- Aggressive malignancy subtypes: infiltrative, sclerosing, morpheaform, micronodular
- large tumors or tumors with indistinct borders
- recurrent tumors
Patch Testing
What kind of sensitivity and how long does it take
used for contact sensitivity for allergens
testing Type IV Hypersensitivity rxn
requires large area of skin, takes 2-5 days
Cryotherapy
liquid nitrogen directly to the skin for short durations of time results in the cryo- destruction of the superficial layers of the skin.
results in blister-like lesion initially that transform into an eschar that will be shed from the skin over a 2-4 week period.
does crytherapy require anesthetic
Does not require local anesthetic, is generally well tolerated, and requires minimal wound care after the procedure.
ABCDE
A- Asymmetry
B- Border
C- Color
D- Diameter
E- Evolving
Melanoma size
Melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm
Biopsy of pigmented lesion indications
6
Consider biopsy if there are
pigmentary changes,
changes in border or diameter,
bleeding,
itching,
a new lesion in a patient over 50 years of age,
the ugly duckling sign
Biopsy of pigmented lesion photos
take 2
one upclose and second at a distant for landmarks.
Biopsy- how much do you remove?
biopsy the entire lesion, unless very large in size
When should a melonoma biopsy be referred to a derm provider?
a basic rule for non-dermatology providers to follow is never do a superficial shave biopsy that you are considering for a possible melanoma
Lentigo
freckles, sun spots, age spots
benign, brown macules and patches typically found in sun exposed areas
result of UV damage
no Tx, use sunscreen to minimize appearance.
Lentigo
Acanthosis nigricans clinical manifestation
Clinical manifestations: velvety, hyperpigmented plaques on intertriginous areas, especially the neck and axillary regions.
Associated with insulin resistance – diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Acanthosis nigricans is associated with? (3)
Associated with insulin resistance – diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Acanthosis nigricans
Melasma is also called?
Chloasma
Melasma or Chloasma clinical manifestation
Characterized by patchy light to dark brown hyperpigmentation of the face
Usually affects women and may run in families
Hyperpigmentation will worsen with exposure to UV light
Melasma or Chloasma is associated with?
Associated with hormonal changes, but it may occur idiopathically, with use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
Melasma Tx
strict sun avoidance, use of SPF 30 to 50 daily.
Hydroquinone 4% cream qd-bid to affected area up to one month at a time, can be repeated for a second month.
Use of hydroquinone should be reserved for fall/winter months. Advise patients that hyperpigmentation can recur if area is exposed to UV
Hydroquinone should be reserved for what time of year?
for fall/winter months
Melasma / Chloasma
Seborrheic Keratosis (SK) (wisdom spots)
pigmented lesions
Seborrheic Keratosis (SK)
where is it commonly found, and what are the Clinical manifestations?
Most common benign epidermal skin growth
Common in fair skin, elderly individuals, with a history of prolonged sun exposure.
Clinical Manifestations:
Well demarcated, round or oval, velvety, warty lesions with a greasy or “stuck“ appearance.
Variety of colors from flesh colored to brown or black.
May be scaly.
Usually asymptomatic, but irritation due to friction may lead to pruritis, pain, or bleeding.
Tx Seborrheic Keratosis (SK)
No treatment necessary
Can be symptomatically treated with cryotherapy - can recur with time.
MELANOCYTIC Nevi
A common benign skin lesion due to localized proliferation of melanocytes
Can be present at birth (congenital) or appear later in life (acquired)
e.g. mole
more common in fair-skinned pts
variety of presentations, colors,shapes, flat/raised, pink to black
MELANOCYTIC Nevi
Congenital melanocytic nevi
tend to be the most prominent and persist throughout life
acquired melanocytic nevi
follow sun exposure, may fade away
MELANOCYTIC nevi
Atypical or dysplastic Nevi
Atypical or dysplastic Nevi
general and clin manifestations (5)
A melanocytic nevi with atypical features
Clinical Manifestations
Nevus with at least 3 of the following features
Size >5mm
Ill-defined or blurry borders
Irregular margin —unusual shape
Variety of colors within lesion
Flat and bumpy components
Atypical or dysplastic Nevi Tx
shave biopsy to determine atypia
then,
Mild DN: monitor for recurrence
Moderate, Severe DN - excision