ABPS Dermatology (BCD) key terms

Inflammatory disorder causing pruritic, purple, polygonal, flat-topped papules and plaques, often with Wickham striae; mucous membranes, nails, and scalp may be involved.

Chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease with sharply demarcated erythematous scaly plaques, often on elbows, knees, and scalp; associated with arthritis and cardiometabolic disease.

Chronic relapsing pruritic eczema driven by skin barrier dysfunction and immune dysregulation; commonly begins in childhood and may coexist with asthma or allergic rhinitis.

Autoimmune blistering disease caused by antibodies against desmogleins, producing flaccid bullae and erosions; mucosal involvement is common and acantholysis is seen histologically.

Autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease caused by antibodies to hemidesmosomal proteins; tense bullae and urticarial plaques often occur, especially in older adults.

Acute immune-mediated eruption with target lesions, often triggered by herpes simplex virus; mucosal involvement may occur, but it is distinct from Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Severe mucocutaneous reaction, usually drug-induced, with epidermal detachment; SJS involves less than 10% body surface area, TEN more than 30%, and overlap 10–30%.

Pruritic vesicular eruption with grouped lesions on extensor surfaces, associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy; granular IgA deposits at the dermal papillae are characteristic.

Localized scleroderma causing indurated, discolored patches or plaques from dermal and sometimes subcutaneous fibrosis; it does not typically cause systemic sclerosis.

Spectrum of skin disease in lupus with interface dermatitis; subtypes include acute, subacute, and chronic discoid forms, and sun protection is important.

Loss of cohesion between keratinocytes because desmosomal attachments break down, creating rounded cells and spaces within the epidermis; seen in pemphigus vulgaris and Hailey-Hailey disease.

Intercellular edema between epidermal keratinocytes that widens spaces and stretches desmosomes, producing a spongy appearance; hallmark of eczematous dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis.

Retention of nuclei in the stratum corneum due to incomplete keratinocyte maturation; common in psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, and many inflammatory dermatoses.

Small collection of neutrophils within the stratum corneum, classically seen in psoriasis and often a useful histologic clue but not specific.

Inflammation concentrated at the junction between epidermis and dermis, with basal cell damage; causes include lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, and erythema multiforme.

Narrow band of uninvolved papillary dermis immediately beneath the epidermis, separating it from a dermal inflammatory or neoplastic process; classically described in granuloma faciale and leprosy.

Most common cutaneous malignancy, arising from basal keratinocytes; typically a pearly papule with telangiectasia, usually locally invasive, and rarely metastasizes.

Malignancy of epidermal keratinocytes often linked to ultraviolet exposure or chronic wounds; may metastasize, especially when deep, large, or associated with immunosuppression.

Measurement from the granular layer of the epidermis to the deepest invasive melanoma cell, reported in millimeters; strongest predictor of prognosis in localized cutaneous melanoma.

Staged excision with intraoperative frozen-section examination of 100% of the peripheral and deep margins, sparing normal tissue; used for high-risk skin cancers and sensitive sites.

Surgical removal of a skin cancer with a predetermined margin of normal tissue, followed by pathologic margin assessment; standard treatment for many melanomas and high-risk carcinomas.

Wound closure by granulation tissue, wound contraction, and re-epithelialization without surgical approximation of edges; useful for small defects or infected wounds.

Identification and removal of the first draining lymph node(s) from a tumor bed using dye and/or radiotracer, then pathologic staging; used in selected melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.

Benign vascular tumor of infancy that typically appears after birth, proliferates for months, then involutes slowly; complicated lesions may require beta-blocker therapy.

Congenital capillary malformation present at birth, usually facial, that grows with the child and does not involute; pulsed dye laser can lighten it.

Typical progression of allergic disease in childhood from atopic dermatitis to food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and asthma; not universal but useful for counseling.

Viral skin infection caused by a poxvirus, producing small umbilicated papules; common in children and usually spread by direct contact.

Acute febrile vasculitis of young children with conjunctivitis, oral mucosal changes, rash, extremity changes, and cervical lymphadenopathy; risk of coronary artery aneurysms.

Neurotoxin that temporarily blocks acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions, relaxing treated muscles; used cosmetically for dynamic facial rhytides and medically for hyperhidrosis.

Injectable gel of cross-linked hyaluronic acid used to restore volume or fill contours; can be dissolved with hyaluronidase and may cause bruising, nodules, or vascular occlusion.

Application of a chemical agent to destroy controlled layers of skin, promoting exfoliation and remodeling; depth depends on agent, concentration, and skin preparation.

Principle that a laser wavelength and pulse duration can target a chromophore while sparing surrounding tissue; basis for treating pigment, blood vessels, and hair.

Darkening of skin after inflammation or injury due to increased melanin production or deposition; more common in darker skin types and often improves slowly.