Skin Flashcards
What should be asked in a basic rash history?
Where did the rash begin How has it evolved Previous skin diagnosis Does sun exposure worsen (lupus) or improve rash (eczema/psoriasis) Symptoms - itch, pain weeping Occupation/hobbies - contact dermatitis Drugs Family history
What are the clinical features of an epidermis skin pathology?
Often fractures, fluid can seep out of cracks, oozing or dryness (scales)
What are the clinical features of a dermis skin pathology?
Skin stays smooth, raised surface e.g. uticaria (nettle rash)
When describing a surface, what is
a) Macule
b) Papule
c) Patch
d) Nodule
e) Vesicle
f) Bulla
a) Little <0.5cm and flat
b) Little and raised
c) Big >0.5cm and flat
d) Big and raised
e) Small and fluid filled
f) Large and fluid filled
What other physical signs should be used when describing a lesion?
Colour:
Redness - increased blood flow, Pigmentation - haemosiderin yellow/brown from blood, femelanin (ginger), u-melanin (brown)
Surface changes:
Crust and scale
Thickness of skin
What is crust? What can it be confused with?
Dried serum - orange/yellow colour
May be confused with keratin (white/yellow) - always remove crust to reveal underlying pathology
What is scale?
Abnormal stratum corneum
Accumulation of keratin
‘Hyperkeratotic’
Why can skin become thickened at the epidermal layer and the dermal layer?
Epidermal = lichenification and warty processes Dermal = scarring/infiltrative processes
What is an erosion?
Partial loss of epidermins
Heals without scarring
Usually secondary i.e. weepy eczema, burst intra-epidermal blister
What is an ulcer?
Full thickness loss of epidermis and some dermis
Heals with scarring
Surface: orange/yellow = exudate/crust, yellow = pus, necrotic tissue/slough = grey/green
What is excoriation?
Localised damage due to scratching
Linear crusts or erosions
If the pattern of a rash is unilateral or bilateral, what does this suggest?
Unilateral = external cause e.g. athletes foot Bilateral = internal cause e.g. eczema
What are the most abundant cells in the epithelial layer?
Keratinocytes and then melanocytes
What is the dermis made up of?
Collagen, elastic fibres, hair follicules, seberaceous glands, sweat glands, vascular supply
What is in the subcutaneous layer?
Adipocytes
Neurovascular bundles
What are the risk factors for basal cell carcinoma?
UV exposure Fair skin Genetics Immunosuppression Radiotherapy
What are the clinical features of basal cell carcinoma?
Pearly Telangiectasia Ulcerated (rolled edge) Pigmentation Common on head and neck
What are the clinical variants of BCCs?
Superficial BCC - less than 0.3mm into dermis
Pigmented BCC
Morphoeic BCC - high risk looks like a scar
Nodulocystic BCC
What are the histological features of a basal cell carcinoma?
Deep purply basal squamous cells against basement membrane expected but should not be in dermis - nests of BCs
Cleft between abnormal cells and stroma of dermis
What are the clinical features of SCC?
Typically hyperkeratotic (scaly) Sometimes ulcerated Not typically pearly or telangiectatic Sometimes painful Grow rapidly Common on scalp, pinna dorsal hand
What are the risk factors for SCC?
UV exposure Skin type fair Genetics Immunosuppression Radiation Chronic inflammation Scar tissue Arsenic
What are the histological features of squamous cell carcinoma?
Epidermis thickened with dysplastic squamous cells
Dermis has nests of squamous cells producing pearls of keratin
Inflammatory infiltrate
What are the clinical variants of a malignant melanoma?
- Superficial spreading melanoma
- Nodular melanoma
- Acral lentiginous melanoma
- Lentigo maligna (melanoma)
What is Hutchinson’s sign in acral lentiginous melanoma?
Pigmentation on proximal nail fold. Splitting of nail plate
What are the histological features of malignant melanomas?
Nests of malignant melanocytes just above basement membrane and invading into dermis
Dense inflammatory cell infiltrate
What is the ABCDE for melanomas?
Asymmetry - colour and shape Border irregularity Colour variation (often 3+ colours Diameter (usually >6mm) Evolving - change in size colour shape over months/years Ugly duckling
What is the treatment for BCCs?
Excision
Mohs micrographic surgery
Curettage and cautery (small nodular/superficial and low risk BCC)
Cryotherapy (superficial BCC)
Topical therapy - aldara cream
Photodynamic therapy - photosensitive drug applied to lesion to destroy cells
Radiotherapy - if BCC large and difficult to excise
Vismodegib (oral drug designed to inhibit signalling and hedgehog pathway - if not a candidate for surgery
What is Mohs micrographic surgery (used in the treatment of BCCs)?
2mm clinical margin around BCC excised and specimin prepared in frozen sections for histology. Identify positive margins for further resection for clearance. Keep analysing until margin negative.
What is the treatment for SCCs?
Surgery Curettage and cautery Cryotherapy Lymph node dissection Adjuvant radiotherapy Chemotherapy Immunotherapy