Iraqi Board Dermatology flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Epidermal turnover time

Approximately 28 days from basal layer to stratum corneum shedding; accelerated in psoriasis to about 3-5 days, producing parakeratosis and loss of the granular layer.

Desmoglein 3

Cadherin-type desmosomal adhesion protein targeted by IgG autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris; loss causes intraepidermal acantholysis and flaccid bullae, especially on mucosa.

Auspitz sign

Pinpoint bleeding after removal of scale in psoriasis, reflecting elongated and tortuous dermal papillary capillaries close to the thinned suprapapillary plate.

Wickham striae

Fine white lacy lines on the surface of lichen planus papules and plaques, corresponding to hypergranulosis on histology; also seen on mucosal lichen planus.

Herald patch

Single oval erythematous scaly macule preceding the generalized eruption of pityriasis rosea by several days to two weeks; HHV-6 and HHV-7 have been implicated.

Parallel ridge pattern

Dermatoscopic finding on acral skin in which pigment follows the ridges; highly specific for acral melanoma, whereas benign nevi show pigment along the furrows.

Pautrier microabscess

Intraepidermal cluster of atypical lymphocytes seen in mycosis fungoides; indicates epidermotropism and supports the diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Chicken-wire immunofluorescence

Intercellular deposition of IgG throughout the epidermis on direct immunofluorescence, characteristic of pemphigus vulgaris and other pemphigus variants.

Nikolsky sign

Extension of blistering or epidermal detachment with lateral pressure on clinically normal-appearing skin; positive in pemphigus vulgaris and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Granular IgA dermal papillae

Direct immunofluorescence pattern of dermatitis herpetiformis; granular IgA deposits at the tips of dermal papillae, associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

Anti-MDA5 antibody

Antibody in clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease, palmar papules, and mucocutaneous ulceration; poor prognosis.

Honey-colored crust

Classic feature of nonbullous impetigo, caused by Staphylococcus aureus or group A streptococci; treated with topical mupirocin or oral antibiotics.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Herpes zoster of the geniculate ganglion producing facial nerve palsy, ipsilateral ear vesicles, and otalgia; treat with antivirals and corticosteroids promptly.

Fite stain

Special stain used to identify Mycobacterium leprae in tissue; organisms appear as acid-fast bacilli in macrophages and Schwann cells in lepromatous leprosy.

Scabies burrow

Tunnel created by Sarcoptes scabiei in the stratum corneum, typically in web spaces, wrists, and genitalia; nocturnal pruritus is characteristic.

Breslow thickness

Depth of melanoma invasion measured from the granular layer to the deepest tumor cell in millimeters; strongest predictor of survival and guides excision margins.

ABCDE melanoma criteria

Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter greater than 6 mm, and Evolution; used for clinical detection of suspected melanoma.

Mohs micrographic surgery

Staged excision with complete margin examination of frozen sections; maximizes tissue conservation and cure for high-risk basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

Dermatofibroma dimple sign

Firm brown papule that dimples inward when pinched laterally, reflecting fibrous tethering to the overlying epidermis; benign and usually requires no treatment.

Kaposi sarcoma

HHV-8-associated vascular neoplasm producing violaceous plaques and nodules; occurs in HIV, transplant, and elderly Mediterranean populations; spindle cells with slit-like spaces.

Wood lamp accentuation

Vitiligo depigmentation appears bright blue-white under Wood lamp, whereas post-inflammatory hypopigmentation retains some melanin and is less accentuated.

Exclamation-mark hairs

Short, proximally tapered hairs at the edge of alopecia areata patches; indicate disease activity and support the diagnosis of non-scarring autoimmune hair loss.

Telogen effluvium

Diffuse non-scarring hair shedding occurring 2-3 months after a trigger such as illness, childbirth, or drug exposure; usually self-limited with regrowth.

Lidocaine maximum dose

4.5 mg/kg without epinephrine and 7 mg/kg with epinephrine; epinephrine prolongs anesthesia and reduces bleeding but is avoided in acral sites.

Pulsed dye laser

Vascular laser emitting at 585 or 595 nm targeting oxyhemoglobin; used for port-wine stains, hemangiomas, telangiectasias, and warts.

Propranolol for hemangioma

Oral beta-blocker that induces regression of infantile hemangiomas; indicated for vision obstruction, airway compromise, ulceration, or disfigurement; monitor heart rate and glucose.

Ash-leaf spot

Hypopigmented, leaf-shaped macule of tuberous sclerosis, often seen under Wood lamp; associated with seizures, angiofibromas, and renal angiomyolipomas.

Café-au-lait macules

Six or more macules greater than 5 mm in prepubertal children suggest neurofibromatosis type 1; often the earliest cutaneous finding.

Erythema nodosum

Tender red nodules on the shins due to septal panniculitis; associated with streptococcal infection, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, tuberculosis, and drugs.

Pyoderma gangrenosum

Painful ulcer with violaceous undermined border associated with inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hematologic malignancy; treat with systemic steroids or biologics.

DRESS syndrome

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; presents with morbilliform rash, facial edema, fever, lymphadenopathy, and organ involvement; mortality up to 10%.

Isotretinoin teratogenicity

Retinoid causing severe birth defects; requires pregnancy testing, two contraceptive methods, and enrollment in a risk-management program; monitor lipids and liver enzymes.

Number needed to treat

Reciprocal of the absolute risk reduction; number of patients who must be treated for one additional favorable outcome; lower values indicate greater treatment benefit.