dermatology passmed Flashcards
what is vitiligo
autoimmune condition which results in the loss of melanocytes and consequent depigmentation of the skin.
A 58-year-old woman presents with facial redness. This has been worsening since her holiday to Spain but she is otherwise asymptomatic.
She has a background of hypertension and takes amlodipine 5mg OD. She has no allergies and has not started any new medications recently.
On examination, telangiectasia are present with papules and pustules clustered around her nose and cheeks. She is afebrile.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
acne rosacea
what are the features of rosacea
- nose, cheeks and forehead usually middle age
- flushing, erythema, telangiectasia → later develops into papules and pustules
- worsened with exposure to sunlight
- rhinophyma (nose enlarged, red, bulbous)
- ocular involvement
what is erysipelas
- superficial cellulitis caused by group A beta-haemolytic streptococci
- characteristic butterfly distribution on the cheeks with a sharp raised border, skin appears firm, bright red and swollen.
what are the differences between acne vulgaris vs rosacea
acne Vulgaris = skin lesions in adolescence can additionally affect neck check and back (not just face)
rosacea = middle-aged, limited to face/nose/cheeks
describe the management of rosacea
- topical metronidazole in mild sx - limited no of papules and pustules, no plaques
- topical brimonidine gel - predominant flushing but limited telangiectasia
- more severe disease - systemic antibiotics e.g oxytetracycline
- daily application of a high-factor sunscreen recommended
- camouflage creams can help conceal redness
how should patients with rosacea and rhinophyma be managed
- manage rosacea
- refer to dermatology for rhinophyma
patients with rosacea with telangiectasia can be considered for
laser therapy
what skin disorders are associated with pregnancy
- atopic eruption of pregnancy
- polymorphic eruption of pregnancy
- pemphigoid gestationis
what is the commonest skin disorder found in pregnancy
atopic eruption of pregnancy
eczematous itchy red rash
no specific treatment is needed
what is Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and how is it managed
pruritic condition associated with the last trimester
lesion appear in abdominal striae first
managed based on severity - emollients, mild potency topical steroids and oral steroids may be used
what is Pemphigoid gestationis and how it is managed
pruritic blistering lesions
seen in pregnancy (2nd or 3rd trimester)
in the peri-umbilical region, later spreading to the trunk, back, buttocks and arms
can be managed with oral corticosteroids
what is acanthosis nigricans
Brown, symmetrical plaques often on neck, axilla and groin
describe the causes of acanthosis nigricans
- t2dm
- gastrointestinal cancer
- obesity
- pcos
- acromegaly
- Cushing’s disease
- hypothyroidism
- familial
- drugs = cocp, nicotinic acid
- prader -Willi syndrome
describe the pathophysiology of acanthosis nigricans
- insulin resistance
- leading to hyperinsulinemia
- stimulation of keratinocytes and dermal fibroblast proliferation (via interaction with insulin-like growth factor receptor 1(
A 30-year-old female in her third trimester of pregnancy mentions during an antenatal appointment that she has noticed an itchy rash around her umbilicus. This is her second pregnancy and she had no similar problems in her first pregnancy. Examination reveals blistering lesions in the peri-umbilical region and on her arms. What is the likely diagnosis?
pemphigoid gestationis
possible differential is polymorphic eruption of pregnancy but this is not the asnwer as it is not associated with blistering
A 33-year-old woman visits the GP with joint pain for the last two weeks. The joint pain is limited to the distal interphalangeal joints, with significant erythema and swelling. She reports also having had significant pain and swelling across her left index finger a couple of months ago, although this has now resolved. On full examination, a scaly rash on her scalp is noted.
what is the likely dx and what features if seen in hx could support this
psoriatic arthritis
nail pitting and onycholysis are associated with psoriasis + psoriatic arthropathy
what nail changes can be seen in psoriasis
- pitting
- onycholysis
- subungual hyperkeratosis
- loss of the nail
A 27-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of fever, tiredness, and a tingling sensation in the lateral aspect of his right thigh. He has found the tingling was initially bearable but has become painful in the past 24 hours. On examination, the area described is erythematous with a macular rash appearing. His only past medical history is HIV for which he takes anti-retroviral therapy and has an undetectable viral load. He denies any cough, coryzal symptoms, focal neurological signs, or trauma to the site.
Considering the likely diagnosis, what is the appropriate management for the patient
aciclovir
suspected shingles should be treated with antivirals within 72hrs of onset
A 27-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of fever, tiredness, and a tingling sensation in the lateral aspect of his right thigh. He has found the tingling was initially bearable but has become painful in the past 24 hours. On examination, the area described is erythematous with a macular rash appearing. His only past medical history is HIV for which he takes anti-retroviral therapy and has an undetectable viral load. He denies any cough, coryzal symptoms, focal neurological signs, or trauma to the site.
what is the likely diagnosis, why and how should the patient be managed
pateitn has systemic viral illness symptoms (fever and malaise) with tingling and pain over the L2 dermatomal distribution (lateral aspect of his thigh).
an immunosuppressive condition (HIV),
he should be managed with antivirals, such as aciclovir, to reduce the risk of post-herpetic complications
what is shingles
- herpes zoster infection - an acute unilateral painful blistering rash
- caused by reactivation of VZV
- following primary infection with VZV (chickenpox), the virus lies dormant in the dorsal root or cranial nerve ganglia
what are the risk factors of shingles
- increasing age
- HIV - x15 more likely
- other immunosuppressive conditions (steroids, chemotherapy)
what are the most affected dermatomes in shingles
T1-L2
what are the features of shingles
- prodromal period -
a) burning pain over the affected dermatome for 2-3 days
b) pain may be severe and interfere with sleep
c) around 20% of patients will experience fever, headache, lethargy - rash
initially erythematous, macular rash over affected dermatome, becomes vesicular
well demarcated and does not cross the midline
can be bleeding in adjacent areas
how is the diagnosis of shingles made
clinical
how is shingles managed
- remind pt they are potentially infectious
- analgesia. paracetamol and NSAIDs. neuropathic agents second line - amitriptyline. oral corticosteroids third line in first 2 weeks in immunocompromised adults if pain severe and not responding to 1 and 2 line
- antivirals, aciclovir
reduces the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia esp in elderly people
what are the complications of shingles
- post-herpetic neuralgia (resolves within 6 months, may last longer)
- herpes zoster ophthalmicus - shingles affected ocular divisions of the trigeminal nerve -
- herpes zoster oticus - Ramsay hunt syndrome = can lead to ear lesions and facial paralysis
ear-old female attends her general practice with a 2-day history of burning pain and rash on the left side of her chest. She also reports feeling generally unwell. She has no past medical history and takes no regular medication.
On examination, there is an erythematous rash with multiple clear vesicles on the left side of the torso. The rest of the clinical examination including an ophthalmic examination is normal.
Based on the most likely diagnosis, what is the most appropriate first-line management?
first-line oral antiviral is famciclovir or valacyclovir and these should be given for 7 days
second-line option is oral aciclovir
During a 6-week baby check, you notice a flat, 30x20mm, pink-coloured, vascular skin lesion over the nape of the baby’s neck, which blanches on pressure. On further questioning, this area has been present since birth and has not changed significantly. They are developing normally.
What is the most likely underlying diagnosis?
salmon patches are a vascular birthmark which usually self resolve
within a few months though marks on neck may persist
A 36-year-old woman presents to clinic with a 4 month history of intermittent bloating and loose stools. She has never passed any blood but has lost a few kilograms in weight.
Over the past week, she has noticed some itchy, vesicular rashes on her elbows that won’t seem to go away. You send off some routine blood tests which come back as normal except for one positive result.
Anti-TTG Positive
What is the dermatological condition that she describes?
dermatitis herpetiformis
associated with coeliac disease
what is dermatitis herpetiformis
autoimmune blistering skin disorder associated with coeliac disease. It is caused by deposition of IgA in the dermis.
what are the featurse of dermatitis herpetiformis
itchy, vesicular skin lesions on the extensor surfaces (e.g. elbows, knees, buttocks)
how is a dx of dermatitis herpetiformis made
skin biopsy: direct immunofluorescence shows deposition of IgA in a granular pattern in the upper dermis
how is dermatitis herpetiformis managed
gluten-free diet
dapsone
A 4-year-old boy develops multiple tear-drop papules on his trunk and limbs. He is otherwise well. A diagnosis of guttate psoriasis is suspected. What is the most appropriate management?
reassurance and topical treatment if lesions are symptomatic
most cases resolve spontaneously within 2-3 months
no firm evidence that the use of abx eradicates streptococcal infection
topical agents as per psoriasis
UVB phototherapy
tonsillectomy may be necessary with recurrent episodes
what is guttate psoriasis
more common in children and adolescents
may be precipitated by a streptococcal infection 2-4 weeks prior to the lesions appearing