Arab Board Dermatology Final study guide
Arab Board Dermatology Final · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Arab Board of Dermatology Final Examination (often called the Arab Board Dermatology Part II) is the summative, exit-level assessment that concludes specialty training in dermatology under the Arab Board of Health Specializations. Candidates are physicians who have completed accredited dermatology residency training and are seeking the specialty certification recognised for consultant-level practice in participating countries. The Arab Board Dermatology Final study guide has 11 sections and about 2,231 words.
01Basic Science of Skin and Cutaneous Immunology
The exam tests whether you can link anatomy to clinical signs. Know the epidermal layers and their keratins (K5/K14 basal, K1/K10 suprabasal, K6/K16 hyperproliferative), because genodermatosis questions hinge on which keratin or desmosomal protein is defective.
275 words, about 1 min02Papulosquamous and Eczematous Disorders
Psoriasis, lichen planus, pityriasis rosea, and seborrheic dermatitis share scaly papules/plaques but differ in distribution and histology. Psoriasis: well-demarcated erythematous plaques with silvery scale on extensor surfaces, Auspitz sign, Koebner phenomenon; histology shows regular acanthosis, parakeratosis, Munro microabscesses, and dilated capillary loops.
228 words, about 1 min03Cutaneous Infections and Infestations
Impetigo (nonbullous: S. aureus/group A strep; bullous: S.
225 words, about 1 min04Inflammatory, Autoimmune and Connective Tissue Diseases
Pemphigus vulgaris (intraepidermal, flaccid blisters, mucosal, anti-Dsg3), pemphigus foliaceus (superficial, anti-Dsg1), bullous pemphigoid (subepidermal, tense blisters, anti-BP180/230), dermatitis herpetiformis (celiac, IgA at dermal papillae), and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (type VII collagen). Direct immunofluorescence pattern is the discriminator: intercellular IgG (pemphigus) vs linear IgG/C3 at basement membrane (pemphigoid).
210 words, about 1 min05Cutaneous Tumors and Dermatopathology
Benign nevi vs melanoma: ABCDE and histologic criteria (asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution). Breslow thickness drives staging and prognosis.
212 words, about 1 min06Pediatric Dermatology and Genodermatoses
Erythema toxicum neonatorum, transient neonatal pustular melanosis, milia, and seborrheic dermatitis are benign. Distinguish from staphylococcal pustulosis and herpes simplex, which require urgent evaluation.
184 words, under 1 min07Dermatologic Surgery, Lasers and Cosmetic Dermatology
Know elliptical excision design, margin guidelines (BCC 3-4 mm, SCC 4-6 mm, melanoma per Breslow), and closure techniques (primary, secondary, flaps, grafts). Mohs micrographic surgery is indicated for high-risk BCC/SCC, recurrent tumors, and cosmetically sensitive sites.
218 words, about 1 min08Hair, Nail and Mucosal Disorders
Alopecia areata (well-circumscribed patches, exclamation-mark hairs, nail pitting), androgenetic alopecia (patterned, miniaturization), telogen effluvium (diffuse shedding after stress), and scarring alopecias (lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, discoid lupus). Trichoscopy helps: yellow dots, black dots, broken hairs.
188 words, under 1 min09Photodermatology and Pigmentary Disorders
UVB causes sunburn and direct DNA damage; UVA penetrates deeper and drives photoaging and drug photosensitivity. Know Fitzpatrick skin types and minimal erythema dose concepts.
173 words, under 1 min10Dermatologic Therapy and Pharmacology
Corticosteroid potency classes, calcineurin inhibitors, retinoids, and vitamin D analogs. Know vehicle selection (cream vs ointment vs lotion) and risks (atrophy, tachyphylaxis).
152 words, under 1 min11Systemic Disease and Dermatologic Emergencies
Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (mucosal involvement, Nikolsky positive, drug trigger), erythroderma, angioedema/anaphylaxis, necrotizing fasciitis, and meningococcemia. Early recognition and supportive care save lives.
166 words, under 1 min