Skin Lesions Flashcards
What is the appearance of strawberry naevi/haemangioma?
Typically oval, scarlet shaped
Well defined borders
Surface may be smooth or lobulated
When do strawberry naevi tend to appear?
2-3w after birth
They are not present at birth
Do strawberry naevi tend to expand and get bigger?
Yes - reach ultimate size within 3-6m of delivery
Due to vascular nature, also seem to increase in size when child crying/straining
Where is the most common place for strawberry naevi to appear?
Head and neck
If there are three or more strawberry naevi what should be considered?
Whole body MRI to rule out internal strawberry naevi
In which groups of children are strawberry naevi most common?
Premature babies
Girls
What is the aetiology of strawberry naevi?
Benign, developmental vascular tumours of unknown origin
How are strawberry naevi managed?
Nearly all lesions undergo spontaneous involution
Plastic surgery to remove loose skin/fibro-fatty deposits around prev. site of lesion sometimes req.
If lesion –> airway obstruction, tracheostomy will be req.
If causing feeding/visual obstruction, intra-lesional steroids or propranolol therapy may slow proliferation
What is the proper name for a port wine stain?
Naevus flammeus
When are port wine stains present from?
Birth
What is the appearance of port wine stains?
Light pink –> dark red/purple
Usually involving the face
Well defined edge
When do port wine stains disappear?
They do not reduce with age and remain unchanged in size
In 8-15% of cases port wine stains are associated with what?
Underlying brain and eye abnormalities.
What is the aetiology of port wine stains?
Congenital lesion of unknown aetiology.
How are port wine stains managed?
Covered with cosmetic camouflage
Laser treatment for those who are self conscious (often this is v. painful)
What are other names for a salmon patch?
Naevus simplex, stork bite, angles kiss
What are salmon patches composed of?
Distended and persisting fetal dermal capillaries
What is the appearance of a salmon patch?
Irregular, dull, pinkish red, macular areas often featuring fine, linear telangiectasia
Where are salmon patches most common?
Nape of the neck
also - upper eyelids, forehead, tip of nose
What emphasises the appearance of a salmon patch?
When the child cries/exerts themselves
How long does it take salmon patches to disappear?
Usually about 1m
What is the aetiology of salmon patches?
Localised capillary telangiectatic lesion of unknown aetiology
What is the treatment of a salmon patch?
None req., may consider laser if persists
What features comprise Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome?
Severe AV malformations of the limbs, bone hypertrophy and port-wine stain
What features comprise Sturge-weber syndrome?
Trigeminal distribution port wine stains + capillary haemangiomas in the brain
What investigations can you do for suspected deeper AV malformations?
MRI
How might you treat some of the deeper AV malformations?
Might be able to do embolisation
What is the appearance of chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis?
Small, inflamed, hard, very painful nodules in the upper ear (around helix)
Tend to form scale over them and recur
How should you investigate chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis?
Biopsy to rule out malignancy
What is the aetiology of chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis?
Repeated pressure to upper ear most likely cause
Actinic damage, cold, frost bite and repeated physical injury may be implicated
How should you manage chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis?
Non-surgical first: topical antibiotics (if lesion infected), topical corticosteroids, cryotherapy, laser therapy, curettage, electrocauterization, intralesional collagen injections, corticosteroid injections, relieving pressure on ear
Surgery - wedge resection or larger complicated reconstructive techniques
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What is a dermatofibroma?
Nodular dermal proliferation
What is the appearance of a dermatofibroma?
Firm, elevated or flat, hyperchromic, tender nodule which dimples when overlying dermis is squeezed
Why might a dermatofibroma form a yellow-brown colour?
Due to iron and melanin deposition
Where are dermatofibromas most commonly found?
The limbs
What is the proposed aetiology for dermatofibromas?
An abnormal response to dermal injury, e.g. insect bites
How do you treat dermatofibromas?
No treatment req.
Intralesional steroids have been shown to initiate regression
How do you differentiate keloid scarring from hypertrophic scarring?
Keloid extends beyond the margin of the surgical scar
Define a keloid scar
Well demarcated area of fibroid tissue overgrowth that extends beyond the original defect
Are keloid scars painful?
Can be very hypersensitive or tender
What are risk factors for developing a keloid scar?
+ve FH
Black, Hispanic or Asian
Acromegalics, post-thyroidectomy
What is the aetiology of keloid scars?
Genes + environmental factors
How do you manage keloid scars?
Avoid unessential trauma in those who are predisposed to keloid scarring
What is the xanthelasma?
Sharply demarcated yellowish deposit of fat underneath the skin, usually on or above the eyelids
Define seborrheic keratosis
Benign proliferation of epidermis keratinocytes
What is the appearance of a seborrheic keratosis?
Raised, yellow-brown/black lesions, greasy and usually multiple
Have a ‘stuck on’ appearance
Usually of little concern to patient but may cause itching
What is the aetiology of seborrheic keratosis linked to?
Familial trait
Multiple erruptions of them can be linked to inflammatory dermatosis, severe sunburn or may be a manifestation of visceral malignancy (GI cancer usually)
Most are idiopathic
How can you manage seborrheic keratosis?
No treatment req.
Dermal shaving
Currettage
Cryotherapy
What is a blue naevus?
Area of blue or black dermal pigmentation produced by aberrant collections of pigment producing but benign melanocytes
Usually non-tender
When do blue naevi most commonly appear?
During puberty
What is the treatment of blue naevi?
None required
May be excised if patient wants it
What are combined naevi?
Melanocytic naevi formed by the overgrowth of melanocytic cells in the epidermis and dermis
What do combined naevi appear like?
Raised, variegated lesions, with sandy and blue/black pigmentation
Irregular borders
How do you manage combined naevi?
Don’t req. treatment
Biopsy if suspicious looking
What are the appearance of compound naevi?
Small, uniformly brown, as they mature become darker and raised
Where is there an increased risk of a compound naevus undergoing malignant transformation?
Great number of them
Positive family history of malignant melanoma
What is the aetiology of compound naevi?
Benign proliferation of melanocytes of unknown cause
What is the management of compound naevi?
None
Biopsy if unsure of diagnosis
Define halo naevus
Melanocytic naevus surrounded by a depigmented halo of otherwise normal skin
When do halo naevi occur?
When pre-existing melanocytic naevus develops a ring or halo of depigmentation around it
How long do halo naevi take to disappear?
Usually central melanocytic naevus gradually regresses but may take several years for the pigmented area to regain normal skin colour
What is the aetiology of halo naevi?
Unknown
?anti-melanoma Ab
?lymphocytic infiltration of halo