EBDVD study guide
EBDVD · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The European Board of Dermatology and Venereology Diploma (EBDVD) is a specialty-level credential intended for dermatologists who have completed, or are near completing, national specialist training and who want an external, Europe-wide assessment of their knowledge beyond their home certification. It is aimed at physicians preparing for consultant-level practice, at trainees consolidating the breadth of the specialty, and at specialists considering mobility between European health systems. The EBDVD study guide has 10 sections and about 2,900 words.
01Inflammatory, Papulosquamous and Eczematous Disorders
Most items in this domain test whether you can separate the major reaction patterns: spongiotic (eczema), psoriasiform (psoriasis, pityriasis rubra pilaris), lichenoid (lichen planus) and interface/vacuolar . Ask three questions: where is the rash (flexural, extensor, palmoplantar, scalp), what is the scale like (silvery and thick, fine and pityriasiform, collarette), and what do the nails and mucosae show?
300 words, about 2 min02Infectious Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Infections
Bacterial: impetigo ( Staphylococcus aureus ; bullous form toxin-mediated), erysipelas (sharply demarcated, raised, febrile) versus cellulitis (ill-defined). Fungal: dermatophytes (tinea capitis, corporis, pedis, unguium), Malassezia , Candida .
290 words, about 1 min03Skin Tumours and Dermato-oncology
Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest skin cancer: pearly rolled edge, telangiectasia, ulceration; dermoscopy shows arborising vessels and blue-grey ovoid nests. It rarely metastasises but is locally destructive.
278 words, about 1 min04Dermatopathology and Diagnostic Techniques
Learn the algorithmic patterns and their differentials. Spongiosis = eczema.
312 words, about 2 min05Dermatologic Surgery and Procedural Dermatology
Confirm the diagnosis, take consent including scarring and recurrence risk, check anticoagulants and allergies, mark the site with the patient awake, and plan margins in advance. Ellipses should be roughly three times as long as they are wide, with 30-degree tips, oriented along lines of minimal tension.
295 words, about 1 min06Paediatric Dermatology and Genodermatoses
Erythema toxicum (blotchy erythema with eosinophil-rich pustules, day 2–3, self-limiting), miliaria (sweat duct obstruction) and neonatal cephalic pustulosis are benign - recognise them so antibiotics are avoided. Nappy rash: irritant dermatitis spares the flexures, whereas candidal dermatitis involves flexures with satellite pustules; seborrhoeic dermatitis is a third pattern.
280 words, about 1 min07Allergology, Contact Dermatitis and Occupational Skin Disease
Allergic contact dermatitis is a type IV, delayed, T-cell mediated reaction appearing 24–72 hours after re-exposure and producing eczema. Type I immediate hypersensitivity (urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis) is IgE mediated.
287 words, about 1 min08Immunodermatology, Connective Tissue Disease and Systemic Disease
Pemphigus vulgaris: flaccid blisters, mucosal involvement, positive Nikolsky sign, intercellular IgG on immunofluorescence, anti-desmoglein 3. Bullous pemphigoid: tense blisters in older patients, anti-BP180/BP230, linear IgG and C3 at the basement membrane, tissue eosinophils.
241 words, about 1 min09Cosmetic and Laser Dermatology, Skin Ageing and Photodermatology
Fitzpatrick phototypes I–VI predict burning and pigmentary response and guide laser settings, peel choice and sun advice. UVB (290–320 nm) causes sunburn and DNA damage; UVA (320–400 nm) drives photoageing and many photodermatoses.
298 words, about 1 min10Professional Practice: Ethics, Communication, Safety and Guidelines
Valid consent requires capacity, adequate information and voluntariness; document discussion of risks, alternatives, and the option of doing nothing. Assume capacity unless there is reason to doubt it, and support decision-making.
319 words, about 2 min