Dermatology Board flashcards

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

Psoriasis Auspitz sign

Removal of scale from a psoriasis plaque causes pinpoint bleeding because suprapapillary epidermal plates are thin and dermal capillaries are dilated.

Atopic dermatitis first-line

Emollients plus topical corticosteroids are first-line for atopic dermatitis; proactive low-potency steroid or calcineurin inhibitor reduces flares at affected sites.

Chronic urticaria definition

Chronic urticaria consists of wheals, angioedema, or both lasting more than six weeks; second-generation H1 antihistamines are first-line daily treatment.

Erythema multiforme trigger

Erythema multiforme presents with target lesions, often acrally, and is most commonly triggered by herpes simplex virus; mucosal involvement may occur.

Acne isotretinoin indication

Isotretinoin is considered for severe nodulocystic acne, scarring acne, or acne refractory to oral antibiotics and topical therapy; pregnancy prevention is mandatory.

Lichen planus Wickham striae

Wickham striae are fine white reticulated lines on lichen planus papules or oral mucosa, reflecting hyperkeratosis and hypergranulosis; hepatitis C association is tested.

Melanoma Breslow depth

Breslow depth measures melanoma invasion from the granular layer to the deepest tumor cell in millimeters and is the strongest prognostic factor for localized melanoma.

Pemphigus vulgaris immunofluorescence

Direct immunofluorescence in pemphigus vulgaris shows intercellular IgG and C3 in the epidermis, producing a net-like pattern; desmoglein 3 is the main target.

Bullous pemphigoid histology

Bullous pemphigoid shows a subepidermal blister with eosinophils; direct immunofluorescence demonstrates linear IgG and C3 along the basement membrane zone.

Dermatitis herpetiformis findings

Dermatitis herpetiformis shows subepidermal blisters with neutrophils at dermal papillae and granular IgA at papillary tips; it is associated with celiac disease.

Mycosis fungoides histology

Mycosis fungoides shows epidermotropic atypical CD4 T cells, Pautrier microabscesses, and a band-like dermal infiltrate; patch, plaque, and tumor stages occur.

Psoriasis histology triad

Psoriasis histology includes regular acanthosis with thin suprapapillary plates, parakeratosis with Munro microabscesses, and dilated capillaries in dermal papillae.

Lichen planus histology

Lichen planus shows hyperkeratosis, wedge-shaped hypergranulosis, saw-tooth rete ridges, band-like lymphocytic infiltrate, and Civatte bodies at the dermoepidermal junction.

Mohs surgery indication

Mohs micrographic surgery is used for high-risk basal or squamous cell carcinoma, recurrent tumors, ill-defined borders, and sites where tissue conservation matters.

Lidocaine maximum dose

Lidocaine without epinephrine is limited to about 4.5 mg/kg; with epinephrine the limit is about 7 mg/kg, and epinephrine prolongs anesthesia and reduces bleeding.

Punch biopsy choice

A punch biopsy reaches deep dermis and is preferred for inflammatory dermatoses and suspected deep tumors; a shave biopsy samples superficial epidermis and upper dermis.

Melanoma excision margins

Melanoma in situ is excised with about 5 mm margins; invasive melanoma margins range from 1 to 2 cm depending on Breslow thickness, with sentinel node discussion.

Suture removal face

Facial sutures are typically removed in five to seven days, trunk and extremities in ten to fourteen days, and joint areas later to reduce dehiscence risk.

Cryotherapy mechanism

Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen freezes tissue to about minus 195 degrees Celsius, causing ice crystal formation, vascular stasis, and necrosis; repeat freeze-thaw cycles improve wart response.

Infantile hemangioma treatment

Problematic infantile hemangiomas, especially airway or vision-threatening lesions, are treated with oral propranolol; most uncomplicated lesions involute spontaneously over years.

Diaper dermatitis Candida

Diaper dermatitis with beefy red erythema and satellite pustules suggests Candida; topical nystatin or clotrimazole is used, while irritant dermatitis responds to barrier ointments.

Kawasaki diagnostic criteria

Kawasaki disease requires fever for at least five days plus four of five features: conjunctivitis, oral changes, rash, extremity changes, and cervical lymphadenopathy; IVIG prevents coronary complications.

Scarlet fever rash

Scarlet fever from group A streptococcus causes a sandpaper-like rash, strawberry tongue, and Pastia lines; penicillin is first-line and prevents rheumatic fever.

Port-wine stain association

A port-wine stain in the V1 trigeminal distribution warrants evaluation for Sturge-Weber syndrome, which includes leptomeningeal vascular malformation, seizures, and glaucoma.

Hand-foot-mouth disease

Hand-foot-mouth disease, usually caused by coxsackievirus, produces oral ulcers and acral vesicles; it is self-limited and treated with supportive hydration and analgesia.

Anaphylaxis epinephrine dose

Intramuscular epinephrine for anaphylaxis is 0.01 mg/kg of 1 mg/mL solution, maximum 0.5 mg, given into the anterolateral thigh and repeated every five to fifteen minutes.

Type I hypersensitivity

Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation causing urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, or anaphylaxis within minutes of allergen exposure.

Type IV hypersensitivity

Type IV hypersensitivity is T-cell mediated and delayed, causing allergic contact dermatitis and positive tuberculin tests; patch testing identifies contact allergens.

SLE specific antibodies

Anti-double-stranded DNA and anti-Smith antibodies are highly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus; antinuclear antibody is sensitive but not specific.

Dermatomyositis malignancy screen

Adult dermatomyositis, especially with anti-TIF1 gamma antibodies, warrants age-appropriate malignancy screening because paraneoplastic cases occur around diagnosis.

SJS TEN detachment

Stevens-Johnson syndrome involves less than ten percent body surface epidermal detachment; toxic epidermal necrolysis involves more than thirty percent, with overlap in between.

Allergic contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed type IV reaction to haptens such as nickel or urushiol; patch testing confirms the allergen and avoidance is curative.