Arab Board Dermatology Clinical study guide
Arab Board Dermatology Clinical · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Arab Board Dermatology Clinical Examination is the clinical component of the Arab Board specialty certification in dermatology, awarded through the Arab Board of Health Specializations (ABHS). It is intended for dermatology trainees who have completed accredited training and passed the written component, and it certifies that a candidate can practise dermatology independently at consultant-entry level across the Arab region. The Arab Board Dermatology Clinical study guide has 12 sections and about 3,401 words.
01Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning in Dermatology
Every clinical question rewards a disciplined sequence: identify the primary lesion (macule, papule, plaque, nodule, vesicle, bulla, pustule, wheal), describe its secondary change (scale, crust, erosion, ulcer, lichenification, atrophy, scarring), then commit to a distribution and pattern (flexural, extensor, dermatomal, photodistributed, acral, follicular, Blaschkoid). Only then generate a differential and choose the test that discriminates.
290 words, about 1 min02Papulosquamous and Eczematous Disorders
Papulosquamous disease (psoriasis, lichen planus, pityriasis rosea, pityriasis rubra pilaris, secondary syphilis) is defined by papules and plaques with scale . Eczematous disease (atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, nummular eczema, stasis dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema) is defined by spongiosis histologically and by pruritus clinically.
292 words, about 1 min03Acne, Rosacea, and Disorders of the Pilosebaceous Unit
The pilosebaceous unit underlies acne vulgaris, acneiform eruptions, rosacea, folliculitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and follicular occlusion disorders. Distinguish them by lesion type , distribution , and trigger .
282 words, about 1 min04Cutaneous Infections and Infestations
Infections are tested through pattern recognition plus one confirmatory test. Know the classic morphology for each organism and the bedside test that proves it.
315 words, about 2 min05Autoimmune and Connective Tissue Diseases with Cutaneous Manifestations
Connective tissue diseases produce cutaneous disease through interface dermatitis, mucin deposition, vasculopathy, and autoantibody-mediated injury. Learn each disease's signature lesion , distribution , and serologic marker .
248 words, about 1 min06Blistering Diseases and Severe Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions
Start by asking where the split occurs : intraepidermal (fragile blisters, positive Nikolsky) versus subepidermal (tense blisters, often negative Nikolsky). Then use direct immunofluorescence to name the disease.
293 words, about 1 min07Pigmentary Disorders, Photodermatoses, and Skin of Color
Pigmentary disorders are approached through melanocyte number and function , and photodermatoses through timing after exposure and action spectrum . Vitiligo : depigmented macules with a sharply defined border; Wood lamp accentuates.
282 words, about 1 min08Cutaneous Tumors, Dermoscopy, and Dermatopathology Correlation
Tumor questions test whether you can separate benign from malignant by history, dermoscopy, and histology, and whether you know the management implication of each diagnosis. Basal cell carcinoma : pearly papule with telangiectasia, rolled border, ulceration; dermoscopy shows arborizing vessels and blue-gray ovoid nests.
273 words, about 1 min09Hair and Nail Disorders
Hair loss is classified as scarring versus nonscarring and focal versus diffuse . Nail disease is classified by which nail structure is involved (matrix, bed, fold, plate).
269 words, about 1 min10Pediatric Dermatology and Genodermatoses
Many diseases look different in children. Neonatal and infant skin findings are frequently benign and transient, while genodermatoses require recognizing patterns across organ systems .
277 words, about 1 min11Dermatologic Surgery, Lasers, and Procedural Dermatology
Procedural questions test whether you can choose the right modality for the lesion and the right technique for the location, while anticipating complications. Biopsy techniques : punch for deep inflammatory or tumoral lesions; shave for exophytic lesions; excisional for suspected melanoma.
298 words, about 1 min12Systemic Disease and Dermatologic Emergencies
Many systemic diseases announce themselves in the skin. Emergency questions test recognition speed and first action .
282 words, about 1 min