Dermatology Flashcards
What is the pathophysiology of Acne Vulgaris?
Multifactorial
Follicular epidermal hyperproliferation forms a keratin plug which obstructs the pilosebaceous follicle
Colonisation with P acnes
Inflammation
Outline the difference between a whitehead and a blackhead regarding the pilosebaceous unit.
Whitehead is when the top is closed thus no [O] cf blackhead is when it is open thus [O] occurs
What is the management for Acne fulminans?
Hospital admission
Oral steroids
What are the clinical features of drug-induced acne?
Monomorphic lesions
Steroid use
How would you classify acne?
Mild (<34 lesions + <1 nodule): open + closed comedones ± inflammatory lesions
34+ lesions + >2 nodules
Moderate: wide-spread lesions + numerous plaques/papules
> 3 nodules
Severe: Extensive inflammatory lesions with nodules, pitting and scarring
Actually mild-to-moderate or moderate-to-severe
Acne Conglobata: Inflammatory nodulocystic with interconnecting sinuses and abscesses -> Severe scarring
Acne fulminans: Severe form of acne conglobata with systemic features of fever, arthralgia and lymphadenopathy
Outline the Acne treatment ladder.
Supportive: Face wash (with neutral pH cleanser); avoid oil-based products; reduce make up; try not to scratch/pick
1st: Topical therapy (Retinoid/BPO/ ABX)
2nd: Topical combination therapy
3rd: Oral ABX
Tetracyclines for 3 months
If pregnant, use Macrolides
Which management is contraindicated in a pregnant woman with acne?
Tetracyclines
Isotretinoin
Note: Ceiling of care is essentially Erythromycin for 3 months
A 27 year old chap presents with severe acne. He says he has had it since he was 17. He reports a fever and lymphadenopathy.
O/E you see multiple communicating nodules which are inflamed.
What is your management?
A. Oral tetracycline for 3 months
B. Oral tetracycline for 6 months
C. Hospital admission and Oral steroids
D. Oral steroids
C - This is Acne Fulminans, a severe form of Acne Conglobata with systemic features requiring hospital admission and oral steroids
What are the contraindications of Oral Isotretinoin?
Pregnancy/no contraception Hyperlipidaemia Hypervitaminosis A Liver dysfunction Allergies to constituents
Describe atopy.
Atopy refers to a predisposition to an abnormally exaggerated IgE response to allergen exposure.
What are the clinical features of Atopy?
Atopic eczema
Allergic rhinitis
Asthma
What gene is responsible for the heritability of atopy?
MZ 80% concordance
Mutation in FLG gene which codes for Filaggrin protein used to form an effective barrier.
Therefore deficiency allows the access of antigens to penetrate, picked up by CD4+ T helper cells which differentiate and cause an exaggerated IgE response
What are the clinical features of atopy?
Early onset
Eczema - flexural, scaly, itchy, erythematous patches
Rhinitis
Asthma
Note: Afro-Carib ethnicity may have a different distribution with extensor prevalence and pigmentation changes
How may atopic eczema be classified?
Mild: areas of dry skin with infrequent itching
Moderate: areas of dry skin with frequent itching
Severe: widespread areas of dry skin with itching and extensive skin thickening, bleeding, oozing or cracking
How is Atopic Eczema managed?
Supportive: Stop triggers; bathing in gentle soaps; food diaries/trigger diaries;
+
Medical: Stepwise approach used
1st: Emollients (vehicle-only) via lotion > cream > ointment or gel/spray
2nd: Topical steroids
Hydrocortisone < Clobetasone 0.05% < Betamethasone 0.1% < Clobetasol 0.05%
In moderate-severe
3rd: Calcineurin inhibitors e.g. Tacrolimus
Outline the Atopic Eczema treatment ladder.
Mild:
Emollient
Mild potency topical corticosteroids
Moderate:
Emollient
Moderate potency steroids
Topical calcineurin inhibitors
Severe: Emollients Potent topical corticosteroids Topical calcineurin inhibitors Bandages/Phototherapy/Systemic therapy
Does Atopic Eczema ever?
Atopic eczema has a tendency to improve as children grow older and transition into adolescence and adulthood.
75% gone by age of 16 years old
Which of the following is not a risk factor for Psoriasis?
A. MHC gene
B. Streptococcal infection
C. Trauma to skin
D. IV Drugs
D - IV drugs
Other risk factors include
Iatrogenic: ß-blockers, Lithium, ACEi, Chloroquine
HIV
Smoking
Alcohol
Stress
What is the pathophysiology of Psoriasis?
Antigen stimulates immune response which causes myeloid dendritic cells to be attracted and produce IL-23 which stimulates T cells. This results in hyperproliferation of keratinocytes
What appears first in Psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic plaques with arthritis following skin disease 5-10 years later
You notice raised, scaly, well-demarcated plaques which are symmetrically distributed on the extensor surfaces, trunk and gluteal cleft. Lesions are itchy and fissured.
What type of skin condition is this?
A. Guttate psoriasis
B. Chronic plaque psoriasis
C. Atopic eczema
D. Inverse psoriasis
B - Chronic plaque psoriasis
Features: Symmetrical distribution, extensor surfaces, gluten, knees, elbows Colour: opposite to natural skin colour Thickened plaques (hypertrophic) Itchy or painful
You notice raised (onycholysis), thickened nail plates with plaques underneath (subungual hyperkeratosis). They appear white (leukonychia) and you see oil drop discolouration.
What type of skin condition is this?
A. Guttate psoriasis
B. Chronic plaque psoriasis
C. Nail psoriasis
D. Inverse psoriasis
C - Nail psoriasis
Subungual hyperkeratosis Onycholysis Leukonychia Nail pitting Splinter haemorrhages
You notice thick plaques which have a pink/white pigmentation, thickening and fissures present. The distribution is within the intertriginous areas.
What type of skin condition is this?
A. Guttate psoriasis
B. Chronic plaque psoriasis
C. Atopic eczema
D. Inverse psoriasis
D - Inverse Psoriasis
You notice small, discrete plaques with a truncal distribution 2 weeks ago, this patient had a sore throat.
What type of skin condition is this?
A. Guttate psoriasis
B. Chronic plaque psoriasis
C. Atopic eczema
D. Inverse psoriasis
A - guttate psoriasis
‘Raindrop’ Psoriasis which have multiple small circular plaques forming 2 weeks after streptococcal sore throats
You notice sterile pustules on reddened skin present in a truncal distribution.
What type of skin condition is this?
A. Localised pustular psoriasis
B. Chronic plaque psoriasis
C. Generalised pustular psoriasis
D. Inverse psoriasis
C - Pustules present widespread on a background of erythema
What is the management ladder for Psoriasis?
1st line: Potent corticosteroid OD + Vitamin D analogue OD
- apply separately, once in morning, once at night
2nd line: Vitamin D analogue BD
- 8-12 weeks
3rd line: Potent corticosteroid BD OR Coal tar OD/BD
- 4 weeks
Hospital: Phototherapy
- UVB; PUVA
Hospital: Systemic therapy
- Methotrexate
- Ciclosporin
What is a potential side effect of Psoralen + UVA?
Skin ageing
Squamous cell cancer
What is the management for scalp psoriasis?
Potent corticosteroids OD for 4 weeks
What is the management for face psoriasis?
Mild/moderate potency for 2 weeks
When may you begin to notice systemic side effects from topical steroids?
> 10% BSA
Using more than 1-2 weeks per month
Not keeping to a 4 week break before starting another course of topical corticosteroids
What is the MOA of Calcipotriol?
Vitamin D analogue
Reduce cell division and differentiation to reduce epidermal proliferation
What is the side effect of Dithranol?
Stains skin
What are the potential complications of Psoriasis?
Psychosocial difficulties
Systemic upset - from GPP or EP or medications
Medication related side effects
Which is the causative pathogen of Lyme disease?
Borrelia burgdorferi
B. burgdoferi
What are the clinical features of Lymes disease?
Erythema migraines: Bulls eye rash which develops 1-4 weeks after bite; >5cm diameter
Systemic features:
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Arthralgia
Late features:
CV:
- Heart block
- Peri/myocarditis
Neurological:
- Facial nerve palsy
- Radicular pain
- Meningitis
How is Lyme disease diagnosed?
A. Clinically based on fever and headache after walking in the woods
B. Clinically based on erythema migraines present
C. ELISA with B burgdoferi Abs
D. PCR test
B - Erythema migrans present is enough for ABX
What is the management of asymptomatic tick bites?
Supportive: Remove tick; ABX if Sx develop
What is the management for suspected/confirmed Lyme disease?
Doxycycline 200mg OD 21 days
Doxycycline 100mg BD 21 days
Following treatment with Doxycycline for a rash which appeared following a suspected tick bite, a 37 year old patient presents with headache and muscle ache.
He is orientated, has no new rashes but has a regularly regular HR of 90bpm and a blood pressure of 100/65mmHg.
What is your diagnosis?
A. Allergy to antibiotic
B. Jarish-Herxheimer reaction
C. Drug exanthem
D. SJS
B
What is VZV also known as?
A. HHV-1
B. HHV-6
C. HHV-8
D. HHV-3
D - HHV-3
HHV-1 = oral lesions
HHV-6 = Pityriasis rosea
HHV-8 = Kaposi’s sarcoma
Explain the pathophysiology of Shingles.
Following primary infection of VZV resulting in a generalised vesicular rash within 14 days of exposure, the VZV lies dormant in the dorsal root ganglia.
This can reactivate and present in a dermatomal distribution years later as Shingles
A patient who is on Azathioprine presents, concerned that their brother-in-law who he has just seen, has presented with chickenpox. The patient is unsure if he has ever had chickenpox.
How do you manage this?
Check VZV Abs and give VZIG
A 24 week pregnant woman who is G3P2 presents worried she may have caught chickenpox. She is asymptomatic however her youngest child has been at school with an individual who has chickenpox.
She is unsure if she has had chickenpox when she was younger.
What is your management?
> 20 weeks and unsure…
Check VZV Abs
If not, give Oral Aciclovir at 7-14 days post-exposure
OR
VZIG
A 14 week pregnant woman who is G3P2 presents worried she may have caught chickenpox. She is asymptomatic however her youngest child has been at school with an individual who has chickenpox.
She is unsure if she has had chickenpox when she was younger.
What is your management?
<20 weeks and unsure…
Check VZV Abs
Give VZIG STAT
How long is someone infective for when they have chickenpox?
4 days before rash, 5 days after rash
“4 before, 5 after”
What medication should be avoided when chickenpox is present and why?
NSAIDs - increase risk of bacterial infection
Who should receive the VZV vaccine?
Healthcare workers unexposed
Contacts of immunocompromised individuals
How long should a child be away from school following a chickenpox infection?
All lesions crusted over - “4 before, 5 after”
How long should a child be off school following a sore throat and a sandpaper like rash?
24 hours from ABX
This is Scarlet Fever
How long should a child be off school following whooping cough?
2 days from ABX or 21 days from symptoms
How long should a child be off school following spots on the oral mucosa, fever and a maculopapular rash?
This is measles and it is 4 days
How long should a child be off following a maculopapular rash, lymphadenopathy and positive Rubella Abs?
5 days
Which of the following is not a typical feature of Varicella Zoster Syndrome?
A. Skin scarring
B. Limb hypoplasia
C. Macrocephaly
D. Chorioretinitis
C - Microcephaly occurs
Mnemonic: E-NHS
Eyes: Chorioretinitis, Cataracts, Microphthalmia
Neurological: Microcephaly; learning difficulties; bladder and bowel dysfunction
Hypoplasia of limbs
Scarring of skin
Why should aspirin be avoided in children with Chickenpox?
Reye’s syndrome may occur with encephalopathy and liver impairment
Features:
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Cerebral oedema
- Hypoglycaemia
- Fatty infiltration of kidneys, liver and pancreas (steatosis)
Which of the following is not a risk factor for the development of Shingles?
A. Age above 85 years old
B. CKD
C. Taking Salbutamol
D. Transplant recipients
C - Salbutamol is not a risk factor for Shingles.
Risk factors: Immunocompromised Transplant recipients Autoimmune conditions HIV Co-morbidites: CKD; COPD; Diabetes;
What is the term for a vesicular eruption along the tip of the nose?
What does this suggest?
Hutchinson’s sign
CN V1 dermatome infected §with VZV thus increased risk of Herpes zoster ophthalmic
What are the indications for anti-viral therapy in Shingles?
Facial distribution (Ramsay-Hunt or Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus)
Pregnancy
Immunocompromised
Patients >50 years old
Severe pain
What are the potential complications of Shingles?
Secondary bacterial infection Dissemination Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Post-herpetic neuralgia CNS involvement
How is Post-Herpetic neuralgia managed?
Paracetamol/Co-codamol
If uncontrolled:
Neuropathic analgesia: Amitriptyline; Gabapentin; Pregabalin
What is the typical distribution of Erythema nodosum?
Anterior legs (shins)
What is the pathophysiology of erythema nodosum?
Hypersensitivity reaction resulting in panniculitis
Give 5 causes of Erythema nodosum.
Idiopathic Pregnancy Streptococcal infection TB Sarcoidosis HIV Hepatitis B Parasitic infection Crohn's Disease Ulcerative colitis Malignancy COCP Penicillins
What is the management for Erythema Nodosum?
Identify cause: Bloods, XR, ASO, Mantoux test
Supportive: NSAIDs; Rest; Compression stockings
Which of the following is not a cause of erythema nodosum?
A. Streptococcal infection
B. Behcet’s disease
C. Lymphoma
D. Metformin
D - metformin
What are the clinical features of Erythema multiforme?
Hypersensitivity reaction of the skin, secondary to infection or drugs.
Discoid lesions - central blister and surrounding pallor
Give 5 causes of Erythema multiforme.
Idiopathic
M pneumoniae
HSV
Streptococcus
Drugs: Penicillin; Sulphonamides; Carbamazepine; Allopurinol; NSAIDs; COCP CT disease Sarcoidosis TB Malignancy
What is the difference between Erythema multiforme and Erythema multiforme major?
Becomes major when involves oral mucosa.
How long does it take for Erythema multiforme to resolve?
Spontaneously resolves over 2 weeks
What is the causative pathogen of Impetigo?
S aureus
For how long should children be excluded from school following impetigo?
48 hours after ABX or lesions healed
What is the management for Impetigo?
Localised
Fusidic acid
Mupirocin
Widespread/Bullous
Oral Flucloxacillin
Severe disease (systemic upset) Hospital admission
What are the potential complications of Impetigo?
Cellulitis Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome Lymphangitis Osteomyelitis/septic arthritis Scarlet fever (GAS) Acute glomerulonephritis (1-2 weeks post-infection)
What are the clinical features of Impetigo?
Depigmented macules (<1cm) or patches (>1cm)
Koebner phenomenon
Distribution: Dermatomal (segmental) or Non-segmental: Focal; Acrofacial; Mucosal; Generalised; Universal; Follicular; Mixed (segmental and non-segmental forms)
What is the management of Vitiligo?
Supportive: Psychosocial interventions; Patient education; Skin camouflage service; Dermatology referral
+
Medical: Topical steroids (segmental/localised); Systemic steroids (widespread); Phototherapy (UVB)
± Refractory to Tx
Surgical: Skin grafts
Give 5 RFs for BCC.
Sun-exposure
Increasing age
Genetics: p53; Albinism; Gorlin Syndrome
PMHx
Immunosuppression
Carcinogens: Ionising radiation; Arsenic; Hydrocarbons
What is the inheritance of Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome?
PCTH1 gene inherited in autosomal dominant manner q
What are the clinical features of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome?
BCCs Hypertelorism Bifid ribs Odontogenic keratocysts Calcification of faux cerebri
What are the clinical features of a BCC?
Telangiectasia
Ulceration
Rolled edges
Pearly border
Mnemonic: TURP
A 56 year old lady presents with a skin lesion on her cheek.
O/E it is fleshy and well-defined, about 5mm, circular. There is an large area of central ulceration seen with telangiectasia noted.
What is your DDx?
A. Nodular BCC
B. Infiltrative BCC
C. Basosquamous BCC
D. Superficial BCC
A - Rodent ulcer described
A 76 year old lady presents with a plaque on her arm. She noticed it 3 months ago and it has not grown much since.
O/E it is a 3mm lesion, fairly regular, it is dry with some crusting. It has a blue-tinge to it.
What is your DDx?
A. Superficial BCC
B. Infiltrative BCC
C. Basosquamous BCC
D. Actinic keratosis
A - features of a Superficial BCC
A 78 year old male presents with a skin lesion on his face. The shape is irregular, with a scar-like tissue around it. You see a roughly spherical lesion which has a central area and some telangiectasia.
What is your DDx?
A. Nodular BCC
B. Infiltrative BCC
C. Basosquamous BCC
D. Superficial BCC
B - scar-like lesion with BCC features
You see a skin lesion that is very dark, purple with an area of central necrosis and a pearly border.
What is your DDx?
A. Nodular BCC
B. Infiltrative BCC
C. Basosquamous BCC
D. Pigmented BCC
D
A patient presents with what he says is a large, cut like skin lesion. He reports no history of injury.
O/e you see a 5cm, irregular lesion with crusting and telangiectasia.
What is your DDx?
A. Nodular BCC
B. Infiltrative BCC
C. Basosquamous BCC
D. Superficial BCC
C - features of both BCC and SCC
How is a BCC managed?
Surgical: Wide-local excision (low-risk lesions); Moh’s Micrographic Surgery (high-risk lesions)
Destructive (cryotherapy; curettage)
Non-surgical: Radiotherapy; Imiquimod cream
Which of the following is not a feature of a high-risk BCC?
A. Size >2cm
B. Subtype
C. Poorly defined margins
D. Diabetes
D
Which of the following is not a feature of a high-risk BCC?
A. Perivascular invasion seen
B. Previous Tx failure
C. Poorly defined margins
D. Size of 1cm
D - size must be above 2cm
What are the clinical features of a Melanoma?
Mnemonic: ABCDE
Asymmetry Border (irregular) Colour (2+ pigments) Diameter (>6mm) Evolving lesion
What investigation is required in a suspected melanoma?
Excisional biopsy with 2mm margin
What are the causes of Melanoma?
UV Exposure
Severe sun burn in childhood (blistering)
Immunosuppression
Multiple naevi (>100)
Fitzpatrick skin type I and II
FH (cdk ∆s)
Genetic mutations (CDK4; xeroderma pigmentosum; melanocortin 1 receptor)
What is the pathophysiology of melanoma?
uncontrolled proliferation of melanocytes in the basal epidermis.
What are the subtypes of Melanoma?
Superficial spreading (70%) Nodular (vertical growth) Lentigo maligna (chronic sun-exposure) Acral lentiginous (under nails, hands and feet) Desmoplastic melanoma
Any of these could be amelanotic melanomas (pigment lacking)
What is the most common subtype of melanoma?
Superficial spreading (70%)
What classification systems can be used in melanomas?
Breslow thickness (mm)
Ulceration
Mitotic index (mitoses per mm2)
What investigations may be done in a melanoma?
Excision biopsy with 2mm margin
FBC
U+Es
LFTs
LDH
FNA - if believed to have spread to lymph nodes
What are the stages of melanoma?
AJCC Cutaneous melanoma staging
Stage 0 = in situ
Stage I = melanoma <0.8mm thick
Stage II = 1-2mm thick ± ulceration
Stage III = lymph node involvement
Stage IV = metastatic spread
How is a Melanoma managed?
Surgery: Wide-local excision (remove fat down to muscular fascia - determined by Breslow thickness)
±
SNLB (staging tool)
±
Adjuvant therapy: Chemo/Radio/Immunotherapy