The only impressive thing about this lesion was a “notch” in its superior pole, and some mild pigment heterogeneity. Prudent caution proved extremely beneficial. The history of a “new” lesion in a patient with almost no visible nevi, along with some very subtle gross features, led to early recognition and elimination of a malignant melanoma.
It is often surprising how wide and how deep skin cancers have already spread, despite a relatively small-looking superficial component. This patient had a history of melanoma in situ.
The first appropriate use criteria for any test or treatment within the field of dermatology were developed recently.
Consider all relevant factors when deciding what steps to take with a pigmented lesion noticed by the patient or encountered during a routine physical examination.
Almost no benign disorder affecting nasal skin should bleed.
Always check the toenails for fungal infection after diagnosing tinea pedis, corporis, or cruris. The toenails may act as the source of infection and a reservoir, which may lead to reinfection after the cutaneous dermatophytosis is cleared.
The eccentric placement of a darker spot within the overall lesion should raise suspicion for melanoma. This lesion’s asymmetry is the most worrisome feature. The need for histologic examination is clear in such cases.
The lesion’s location, along with visible telangiectasia on the lesion’s surface, suggest a basal cell carcinoma.
Note that some lesions occur within the outer ear, quite typical for the diagnosis of discoid lupus.
Up to 80% of those with necrobiosis lipoidica have diabetes mellitus; however, this disorder develops in fewer than 1% of people who have diabetes.
Elevated serum uric acid level is pathognomonic for gout. Untreated gout may lead to tophi, nephropathy, and uric acid nephrolithiasis.
This solitary, fairly well-defined whitish plaque, surrounded by a broad band of violaceous erythema is a classic presentation of the “lilac ring” phase of early morphea. Potent corticosteroids led to prompt resolution.
The differential diagnosis includes figurate erythema, granuloma annulare, sarcoidosis, and Hansen’s disease. Additional history disclosed that the plaques expanded, migrated and disappeared over a matter of days, eliminating all but the correct diagnosis: figurate erythema, a reactional (hypersensitivity) state.
The location (pretibial surface) of this ulcer, its visibly rolled undermined border, and severe pain are all typical of pyoderma gangrenosum, which is typically associated with inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hematologic malignancies.
This is the most common form of amyloid deposition in the skin. It is not associated with the systemic disease, but is solely a cutaneous malady.
Syphilis is often called the "great imitator." The slides that follow show syphilis in various guises-and various disorders that can mimic the cutaneous manifestations of the sexually transmitted infection.
The shiny white and atrophic skin involving the vulva and perirectal skin is nearly pathognomonic for lichen sclerosus et atrophicus This inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology gradually increases in intensity.
Erythema multiforme; Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; syphilis; pityriasis rosea. . . which of these disorders is the most likely cause of these macular lesions?
These whitish colored lesions were the result of lichen planus. Hepatitis C virus infection should be sought, since this viral infection is often associated with recent-onset lichen planus in younger persons.
In older persons, tense blisters such as these are most likely bullous pemphigus, an autoimmune blistering disease. Biopsy as well as direct and indirect immunofluorescent tests may be needed to exclude other blistering diseases, such as pemphigus and epidermolysis bullosa.
This is classic vitiligo, an autoimmune disease in which anti-melanocyte antibodies develop. Phototherapy or topical calcineurin inhibitors may be beneficial.
The fairly well-defined erythematous plaques covered with silvery scale are typical for psoriasis. In some patients, the disorder may be limited to the genital skin.
The patient knew that he had psoriasis, but failed to connect onychodystrophy to his underlying skin disease.
A biopsy confirmed that the white mucosal discoloration and scattered small erosions were the result of lichen planus. Eradication may be attempted with potent topical steroids or oral steroids.
This man wore a personal heart rate monitor/transmitter while running, and had become allergic to the thiuram chemicals used to make the synthetic elastic band. A topical corticosteroid resolved the problem.
