Questions Flashcards
A 55-year-old male patient presents with several rough, scaly patches on his scalp, forehead, and ears, which are non-tender and non-itchy. He has a history of significant sun exposure over his lifetime.
What is the most likely diagnosis? [1]
What is the most appropriate management for the likely diagnosis? [1]
Actinic keratosis
Tx: Imiquimod
Pyoderma gangrenosum is associated not only with IBD and RA but also with [2]
Pyoderma gangrenosum is associated not only with IBD and RA but also with myeloproliferative disorders (myelofibrosis) and AML
What is an important underlying cause of erythema nodosum? [1]
Erythema nodosum may be caused by pregnancy
One of the main clues in the question is the combination of a rash with pain. Other than [1], there are not many conditions which cause both.
One of the main clues in the question is the combination of a rash with pain. Other than shingles, there are not many conditions which cause both.
While working in general practice you see a 21-year-old female with pityriasis rosea. How long does the associated rash last? [1]
The rash from pityriasis rosea to resolve in 6-12 weeks
A 26-year-old male presents with a rapidly growing, dome-shaped lesion on his forearm, first noticed six weeks ago. It has now reached 2 cm in diameter, with a raised, well-demarcated border and a central keratin plug. He denies pain or systemic symptoms but reports significant sun exposure. Examination reveals a firm, non-tender lesion without lymphadenopathy.
Given the lesion’s rapid growth and crateriform appearance, what is the most likely diagnosis, and what is the next best step in management?
keratoacanthoma
- 1st line tx is surgical excision
Depigmented skin areas fluoresce bright blue-white on Wood’s lamp inspection
Dx? [1]
What other blood results might you see in this patient? [2]
Vitiligo is caused by the autoimmune destruction of melanocytes in the interfollicular dermis and is associated with a number of HLA subtypes, including DR4, B13 and B35. Phototherapy, corticosteroids and tacrolimus ointment have all been employed as successful therapies for vitiligo.
- raised thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and weight gain suggest the possibility of hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disease associated with vitiligo.
The patient has tinea corporis, a dermatophyte fungal infection. The picture shows annular, scaly plaques with raised edges and central clearing (ringworm). Trichophyton rubrum is the most common causative organism, particularly in people who play contact sports. Topical azoles (eg. econazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole and miconazole) are also effective. Occasionally systemic treatment with terbinafine or itraconazole is required.
[] is usually first-line for oral thrush.
In which cases would you use an alternative [2] and when would you use them? [2]
Miconazole is usually first-line for oral thrush
Nystatin suspension is used to treat oral candidiasis if a patient is using simvastatin as the combination with oral miconazole increases the risk of statin induced myopathy
Oral fluconazole is used for patients with HIV
[] presents with photosensitive blistering rashes on sun-exposed areas, often triggered by alcohol consumption.
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda presents with photosensitive blistering rashes on sun-exposed areas, often triggered by alcohol consumption.
The development of a maculopapular rash after antibiotic administration for glandular fever warrants suspicion of [] especially in presence of left shoulder pain, tachycardia, abdominal pain, and signs of haemodynamic instability.
The development of a maculopapular rash after antibiotic administration for glandular fever warrants suspicion of splenic rupture, especially in presence of left shoulder pain, tachycardia, abdominal pain, and signs of haemodynamic instability.
Erythema multiforme is commonly triggered by [] virus, presenting with target lesions on the skin.
Erythema multiforme is commonly triggered by herpes simplex virus, presenting with target lesions on the skin.
A patient likely has orbital cellulitis, as indicated by the presence of: erythema and swelling surrounding the left eye, fevers, diplopia (due to extra-ocular eye muscle involvement), and pain.
What is the imaging of choice? [1]
What is the treatment? [1]
CT imaging is essential for diagnosing orbital cellulitis, which presents with eye pain, swelling, fever, and diplopia, often following facial trauma.
- Patients with orbital cellulitis require admission for IV antibiotics and close monitoring with input from the ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat and medical teams.
A diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris is made.
IgG autoantibodies to which protein is the pathogenesis of this disease due?
Collagen type XVIII
Desmoglein
Bullous pemphigoid antigen
Keratin
Desmoplakin
#42140
A diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris is made.
IgG autoantibodies to which protein is the pathogenesis of this disease due?
Collagen type XVIII
Desmoglein
Bullous pemphigoid antigen
Keratin
Desmoplakin
#42140
What is the difference between actinic keratosis and keratoacanthoma? [2]
Actinic keratosis
- viewed as a premalignant lesion because there are atypical keratinocytes present in the epidermis. In a person with 7 actinic keratosis, the risks of subsequent SCC is of the order of 10% at 10 years. The primary lesion is a rough erythematous papule with a white to yellow scale. Lesions are typically clustered at sites of chronic sun exposure.
Keratoacanthoma
- Dome-shaped erythematous lesions that develop over a period of days and grow rapidly. They often contain a central pit of keratin. They then begin to necrose and slough off. They are generally benign lesions although some do view them as precursors of malignancy. They may be treated by curettage and cautery. If there is diagnostic doubt (they can mimic malignancy) then formal excision biopsy is warranted.
How do you differentiate between alopecia areata and tinea capitis? [1]
Alopecia areata is characterised by discrete, smooth and circular areas of hair loss over the scalp:
- no associated scaling, inflammation or broken hair, and it may involve single or multiple areas.
Tinea capitis:
- may be scaly or much more inflamed, boggy, and exude pus (kerion). Broken-off hairs occur in tinea but do not taper at the base as in the ‘exclamation mark’ hairs of alopecia areata.
A patient has been diagnosed with melanoma on his right hand, which measures 1.5 cm. He is booked in to have surgery to remove it.
During the excision biopsy, what margin size will be taken?
1 cm
3 mm
4 mm
1 mm
2 cm
A patient has been diagnosed with melanoma on his right hand, which measures 1.5 cm. He is booked in to have surgery to remove it.
During the excision biopsy, what margin size will be taken?
1 cm
3 mm
4 mm
1 mm
2 cm
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Actinic keratosis
Basal cell carcinoma
Keratoacanthoma
Malignant melanoma
Pyogenic granuloma
Actinic keratosis
This 40-year-old male first noticed the lesions on his lips when he was about 16 years old. Since then he has developed similar facial, nares, tongue, ears, hands, chest and feet lesions. The lesions blanch with pressure. His father was similarly affected.
Dx? [1]
Most common initial presentation? [1]
patient has hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT):
- It commonly presents in teenagers, with nosebleeds being the primary symptom in over 90% of cases.
A patient has pemphigus vulgaris.
This is caused by antibodies agaisnt…[1]
Desmosomes of skin
Dx? [1]
Tx of systemic, extensive disease? [2]
BP
- Prednisolone is the first line therapy. Azathioprine, Ciclosporin, and Mycophenolate mofetil can be used second line.
Fungal infection: ringworm, tinea capitis of the scalp usually presents with dry scaling, broken hair, smooth areas of hair loss or yellow crusts on matted hair
- In alopecia areata there is usually complete hair loss in an affected area and no scaling.
Dx? [1]
Investigation? [1]
Tx? [1]
Tinea corporis (ringworm)
- microscopy and culture of skin scrapings
- Topical antifungal