Skin and Musculoskeletal Pathology Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Epidemiology of Carcinoma Of The Oral Cavity?

A
  • Squamous cell carcinoma- 90-94% of malig tumours of oral cavity
  • Worldwide oral squamous cell carcinoma 6th most common cancer (>300,000 new cases diagnosed/yr)
  • Globally 5% cancers for men & 2% for women
  • Overall incidence & mortality attributed to oral squamous cell carcinoma is increasing
  • Survival rates less than 50%
  • Tumours can arise in any part of oral cavity- highest freq in floor of mouth, venterolateral tongue, retromolar region, lower lip, soft palate & gingiva

Pathogenesis
• Atypical= dysplastic cells= tumour (spectrum- starts gradually)

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2
Q

What is the Aetiology of Carcinoma Of The Oral Cavity?

A

Aetiology
• Tobacco use & alcohol abuse- dominant risk factors;
o Strongly synergistic
o 75% of disease burden or oral & oropharyngeal malignancies
o Oral smokeless tobacco- major cause in Indian subcontinent, parts of South-East Asia, China and Taiwan
o May be consumed in betel quids containing areca nut and calcium hydroxide
• HPV infec;
o Some strains HPV more oncogenic than others e.g. 16 & 18
o High oncogenic genotypes e.g. HPV16 & 18 also in a variable but small amount of oral and up to 50% oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (especially involving the tonsils & tongue base)
o HPV infec from oral/genital contact may be important (oral genital contact)
o Interestingly these patients have a better overall survival than HPV negative patients
• Can cause benign
• Dietary factors;
o Fruit & veg high in vits A & C- protective against oral neoplasia, related to inherent anti-oxidant properties
o Meat & red chilli powder- risk factors
• Genetic factors;
o Fam history of head & neck cancer may be a risk factor for the disease and it is postulated that inherited genomic instability may increase susceptibility

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3
Q

What are Pre-cancerous Lesions & Conditions of Carcinoma Of The Oral Cavity??

A
  • Submucous fibrosis
  • Actinic keratosis- damage caused by sunlight (more prone to skin tumours, actin colitis in lips)
  • Lichen planus
  • Leukoplakia (white thickening of oral cavity) & erythroplakia
  • Chronic hyperplastic candidosis- can be caused by candidia infecs (over time= cancer)
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4
Q

What is invasion in Carcinoma Of The Oral Cavity?

A

Lymphovascular invasion worsens prognosis, the mechanism of spread is always tumour embolism;
• Local metastases = cervical lymph nodes
• Distant = mediastinal lymph nodes, lung, liver, bone

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5
Q

What is Carcinoma Of The Larynx?

A
  • Squamous cell carcinoma most common
  • 12,000 men & women diagnosed with cancer of the larynx every year
  • Age adjusted incidence 3.6 per 100,000
  • Normally treated with total laryngectomy

Pathogenesis
• Hyperplasia= dysplasia= carcinoma in situ= invasive carcinoma

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6
Q

What is the Aetiology Carcinoma Of The Larynx?

A
  • Tobacco & alcohol- major risk factors
  • HPV (6 & 11) infec
  • Diets; low in green leafy veg & high in salt, preserved meats & dietary fats
  • Metal/plastic workers
  • Exposure to paint, diesel & gasoline fumes, asbestos
  • Radiation exposure
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux
  • Genetic susceptibility
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7
Q

What is Lichen Planus?

A

Non-Malignant (Benign) Inflamm Conditions
• Muco-cutaneous condition
• Unknown pathogenesis but may be T cell mediated autoimmune response
• Cutaneous lesions= itchy, purple, papules forming plaques with Wickham’s striae (white striae)
• Oral lesions= reticular striations, plaque- like, erosive, ulcerative lesions, desquamatve gingivitis
• Small risk of malig transformation

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8
Q

What are Vocal Cord Nodules & Polyps?

A

Non-Malignant (Benign) Inflamm Conditions
• Histologically look the same but clinically look diff
• Reactive lesions
• Most often seen in heavy smokers or in individuals who impose great strain on their vocal cords (singers’ nodules)
• Adults and predominantly men affected
• Most commonly associated with a voice change e.g. hoarseness, change in voice quality, and increased effort in producing the voice
• Usually located on the true vocal cords

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9
Q

What are Nasal Polyps?

A

Non-Malignant (Benign) Inflamm Conditions
• Recurrent rhinitis attacks= eventually lead to focal protrusions of mucosa
• May reach 4cm (can block nasal passage- e.g. cause snoring)
• When large (-/+ multiple) can encroach the airway & impede sinus drainage
• Features point to an allergic aetiology, but most patients with nasal polyps are not atopic
• Histology: oedematous mucosa with loose stroma containing hyperplastic/cystic mucous glands and infiltrated with mixed inflammatory infiltrate rich in eosinophils

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10
Q

What is Sinusitis?

A

Non-Malignant (Benign) Inflamm Conditions
• Role in nasal polyps (sinusitis attacks)
• Acute sinusitis usually proceeded by acute or chronic rhinitis
• Maxillary sinusitis can arise from extension of a periapical infec from an upper tooth through the antral floor (oral flora, inflammatory reaction is non specific)
• Acute sinusitis may progress into chronic, especially if impairment of sinus drainage
o As a result of the inflammatory oedema of the mucosa
o May impound the suppurative exudate producing empyema of the sinus
• Obstruction most often affects the frontal and anterior ethmoid sinuses
• Causative microorganisms = mixed microbial flora usually inhabitants of the oral cavity, severe forms may be caused by fungi e.g. mucomycosis esp in diabetics
• Complications = potential of spread into the orbit or into the enclosing bone producing cranial osteomylitis, meningitis or cerebral abscess – very rare!

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11
Q

What is Acute & Chronic Otits Media?

A

Acute & Chronic Otits Media (often involves middle ear &mastoid)
• Mostly in infants & children
• (Diabetic patients can develop severe infecs)
• Often viral, associated with generalised upper resp tract symptoms
• Primary/ secondary bacterial infecs= acute otitis media
• Streptococcus pneumoniae, H.influenzae & Moraxella catarrhalis
• Chronic disease usually form recurrent +/- persistent episodes & failure of resolution of acute bacterial infecs
• Causative agents in chronic disease usually- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus or fungal

• Potential complications;
o Eardrum perforation
o Aural polyps, cholesteatoma
o Mastoiditis, temporal cerebritis/ abscess
o Destructive necrotising otitis consequence of otitis media in a diabetic person especially when P.aeruginosa is the causative organism (diabetics can develop severe infecs)

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12
Q

What is Cholestatoma?

A

• Associated with chronic otitis media
• Pathogenesis of the lesion unclear: chronic inflamm & perforation of eardrum with squamous epithelium ingrowth or metaplasia of secretory epithelial lining of middle ear
• Cystic lesions lined by keratinising squamous epithelium (makes keratin), & filled with debris & cholesterol clefts- cyst can rupture & contents can make inflamm response around it
• Precipitates surrounding inflammatory reaction which is enhanced if the cyst ruptures & may result in a foreign body giant cell reaction
• Treatment- can be removed surgically
• Potential complications:
o Progressive enlargement may lead to erosion of ossicles, the labyrinth (dizziness) and adjacent bone or the surrounding soft tissue
o Hearing loss
o Very rarely CNS complications: brain abscess and meningitis

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13
Q

What is Symptomatic Ototsclerosis?

A
  • Abnormal bone deposition in the middle ear
  • Usually bilateral
  • Usually begins in early decades of life, most cases are familial
  • Pathogenesis: Uncoupling of normal bone resorption and bone formation
  • Initially fibrous ankylosis = bony overgrowth = anchorage of middle ear bones to oval window
  • Degree of immobilisation governs the severity of hearing loss
  • Process is slowly progressive eventually leading to marked hearing loss
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14
Q

What is Labyrinthitis?

A
  • Inflamm disorder of inner ear (labyrinth)
  • Disturbs balance & hearing (e.g. tinnitus, nausea, loass of balance)
  • Bacteria/ viruses can cause acute labyrinth inflamm in conjunction with local/ systemic infecs
  • Autimmune processes e.g. Wegner granulomatosis or polyarteritis nodosa
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15
Q

What are Carcinomas of the ear?

A

Carcinomas (mostly of external ear)
• External ear (pinna) - Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, tend to occur in elderly men and are associated with actinic radiation
• Ear canal - Squamous cell carcinoma, middle-aged to elderly women, not associated with sun exposure
• Actinic keratosis can proceed these tumours

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16
Q

What are Paragangliomas of the ear?

A

Paragangliomas (mostly in middle ear)
• Most common tumour of the middle ear, originating in the paraganglia
• Presenting symptoms - pulsatile tinnitus, hearing loss, aural pressure/fullness, dizziness, otalgia, and bloody otorrhea (ear discharge)

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17
Q

What is Sialadenitis?

A
  • Gland inflamm
  • Slaivary duct obstruct (stones)- bacterial infec
  • Autoimmune (Sjogren’s syndrome)
  • Get dry mouth
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18
Q

What are tumours of the Salivary Glands

A
  • Benign or malignant
  • Benign are more common but depends on site e.g. parotid & submandibular gland benign more common but in minor salivary glands (e.g. tongue) malig tumours incidence is higher
MALIGNANT TUMOURS 
•	Mucoepidermoid 
•	Acinic cell carcinoma 
•	Polymorphous low grade carcinoma 
•	Adenoid cystic carcinoma 
•	Salivary duct carcinoma
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19
Q

What is Pleomorphic Adenoma?

A

Pleomorphic Adenoma (salivary gland tumour);
o 2/3 of all salivary tumours (80% in parotid)
o Variable histological; appearance (mixed tumour- as have diff components to it)
o Mixed epithelial & myoepithelial in chondromyxoid stroma
o May recur after surgery
o Malignant transformation (V small proportion)
o Treated by surgery but may recur if not treated properly
o Malig transformation (can transform into another malig form e.g. squamous cell carcinoma)

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20
Q

What is Warthin’s Tumour?

A

o Benign salivary tumour
o 5-10% of total salivary neoplasms
o Characteristic cyctic spaces lined by tall epithelial cells with dense lym[hoid stroma (adenolymphoma)

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21
Q

What is Inflammatory Skin Disease?

A

Inflammatory Skin Disease
• Infections
• Non-infectious inflammatory diseases
o Dermatitis/psoriasis
o Blistering
o Connective tissue diseases, eg Lupus Erythematosus/Dermatomyositis
o Skin lesions as sign of systemic disease
o Skin lesions caused by metabolic disorders
• Plus many rare types

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22
Q

What is Eczema/ Dermatitis?

A
  • Many types (eczema Greek for ‘boil over’)
  • Very common (5% children in UK)
  • Varies from trivial to severe
  • A reaction pattern rather than specific disease
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23
Q

What are the stages of Dermatitis?

A

Dermatitis (Eczema)
Clinically 3 stages;
1. Acute dermatitis - skin red, weeping serous exudate +/- small vesicles. (boiling over appearance)
2. Subacute dermatitis - skin is red, less exudate, itching ++, crusting.
3. Chronic dermatitis - skin thick & leathery 2ndry to scratching (not due to disease but reac from patient scratching)

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24
Q

What is the microscopy of Dermatitis?

A
  • Spongiosis (intracellular oedema within epidermis)- fluid comes out of skin & weeps
  • Chronic inflamm- predominantly superficial dermis
  • Epidermal hyperplasia & hyperkeratosis- mild in acute dermatitis, marked in chronic dermatitis
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25
Q

What is Atopic Eczema?

A
  • Usually starts in childhood, occasionally adults
  • Often fam history
  • Associated with asthma & hayfever
  • Type 1 hypersensitivity reac to allergen
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26
Q

What is Contact Irritant Dermatitis?

A
  • Contact irritant dermatitis - direct skin injury by irritant (irritant too long on hands= reac) e.g. acid, alkali, strong detergent etc
  • Contact allergic dermatitis (need to develop reac)- nickel, dyes, rubber. Act as haptens which combine with epidermal protein to become immunogenic & cause reac (look at distrib in reac e.g. if on tummy could be from belt buckle, nickel in earrings if on ears)
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27
Q

What is Dermatitis of Unknown Aetiology?

A

Morphological subtypes:
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis - affect areas rich in sebaceous glands: scalp, forehead, upper chest (ehere sebciuos galnds sit)
• Nummular dermatitis - coin shaped lesions

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28
Q

What is Psoriasis?

A
  • 1-2 % of population
  • Well defined, red oval plaques on extensor surfaces - (knees, elbows, sacrum).
  • Fine silvery scale (can be torn off- bleeding). Auspitz sign. Removal of scale causes small bleeding points.
  • +/- pitting nails.
  • +/- sero-negative arthritis (affecting small joints).
  • Can affect extensor surface on back of head

Pathogenesis- clinical & microscopic features reflect massive cell turnover (too fast)

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29
Q

What is the microscopy of Psoriasis?

A

Psoriasiform hyperplasia” - distinct appearance:
• i) Regular elongated club shaped rete ridges
• ii)Thinning of epidermis over dermal papillae.
• iii)Parakeratotic (contain nuclei) scale.
• iv)Collections of neutrophils in scale (Munro microabscesses)

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30
Q

What is the aetiology of Psoriasis?

A
  • Genetic factors. Some have fam history. Multiple loci [psoriasis Susceptibility/ PSORS genes] many in region of major histocompatibility complex on Chromosome 6p2 implicated. Same area involved in other autoimmune disorders eg IBD,MS
  • Env trigger factors,[ie Acquired factors] infec, stress, trauma, drugs e.g. may come into hospital for something else then causes psoriosis
  • Disregulation of immune system
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31
Q

What is the Associated Comorbidity of Psoriasis ?

A
  • Arthropathy, 5-10% associated
  • Psychosocial effects
  • Cardiovascular disease, 2-3x risk.?inflammation, drugs. Stress, smoking
  • Cancer; Increased risk Non-melanoma skin cancer [eg BCC] ,Lymphoma disease or treatment effect (don’t know if lymphoma disease or treatment casuing the psoriassis)
32
Q

What is Lupus Erythematous ?

A
  • Discoid LE (DLE) - skin only (NOTHING else)
  • Systemic LE (SLE) - visceral disease, +/- involves skin.
  • Clinically look similar in skin- Red scaly patches on sun-exposed skin +/- scarring, scalp involvement causes alopecia.
  • SLE:- Butterfly rash on cheeks and nose.
  • Auto-imm disorder mainly affecting body’s connective tissues [CT disorder]. Auto antibodies directed at various tissues.
  • May affect any part of the body, but importantly kidneys
  • Autoantibodies against cells
33
Q

What is the microscopy of Lupus Erythematous?

A
  • Thin atrophic epidermis.
  • Inflammation and destruction of adnexal structures.
  • IMF - LE band. IgG deposited in basement membrane.
  • Look for IgG in basement memb of skin (immunoflourescence)
  • LE- basement memb attacked by autoantibodies
34
Q

What is the mmunofluoresence of SLE?

A

• Autoantibody against skin
• In Lupus Erythematous;
o Have keratinocytes, antigens & basement memb
o Deposition of antibodies in skin= attack antigen in basement memb
o But antibody against it with fluorescent tag on it
o LE immunoflouresence- fluorescent tags along basement memb (shows autoantibodies- can look for this in skin & kidneys)

35
Q

What is Dermatomyositis?

A
  • Inflamm of skin & proximal muscle
  • Peri-ocular oedema and erythema [Heliotropic rash- sun related; photosensitive distib]
  • Erythema in photosensitive distribution.
  • Myositis; proximal muscle weakness.
  • Can check for creatinine kinase in blood (from muscle).
  • In adults 25% associated with underlying visceral cancer (underlying malignancy- treat underlying cancer & rash will go away)
36
Q

What is the microscopy of Dermatomyositis?

A
  • Similar to L.E.
  • Often a lot of dermal mucin (connective tissues).
  • Negative IMF (immunoflouresence)
37
Q

What is Bullous Disease?

A

• Formation of fluid filled blisters in skin
• 2 important conditions; pemphigus vs pemphigoid;
o Both make blisters in skin
o PemphigoiD- bullae Deeper
o Proteins diff so makes slightly diff disease
o PemphiguS- makes blister IN epidermis (S at end- superficial)

38
Q

What is Pemphigus?

A
  • Group of disorders characterised by loss of cohesion between keratinocytes resulting in an intraepidermal blister.
  • All types cause fragile blisters/bullae which rupture easily.
  • Can be extensive +/- involve mucous membranes.
  • Keratinocytes don’t stick together- fragile, easily rupture
  • Affect mucous membs- e.g. eyes

Pathogenesis
• Autoantibodies, directed against intercellular material.
• Can be detected by immunofluorescence (IMF).

39
Q

What is Bullous Pemphigoid?

A
  • Disease characterised by subepidermal blisters:
  • Elderly (70s & 80s often) with large tense bullae which do not rupture easily (often in lower legs)
  • Can be localised or extensive disease.
  • Pathogenesis: autoantibodies to glycoprotein in basement membrane.
  • Can be detected by IMF to make diagnosis
40
Q

What is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

A
  • Small intensely itchy blisters. Extensor surfaces
  • Often young patients. Associated with Coeliac disease.
  • Look for IgA deposition in dermal papillae on IMF (get neutrophil collections).
  • Histopathology; Neutrophil microabscesses in dermal papillae.
41
Q

What is Skin Lesions as Sign of Systemic Disease?

A
  • Dermatomyositis and visceral cancer (if have one check for the other)
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis and Coeliac disease
  • Acanthosis Nigricans [dark warty lesions in armpits] and internal malignancy.
  • Necrobiosis Lipoidica [red + yellow plaque on legs] and Diabetes Mellitus
  • Erythema Nodosum [red tender nodules on shins] associated with infecs elsewhere esp.lung, drugs, and other diseases
42
Q

What are Skin Tumours?

A

• Very common
• May arise from all elements of skin
o Epidermis; BCC,SCC
o Melanocytes; Naevi, Melanoma
o Merkel cell tumour, rare but dangerous
o Adnexal structures, sweat gland and hair follicle tumours and cysts.
o Nerves and blood vessels; haemangioma, neuromas
o Connective tissue; dermatofibroma (common tumour)

43
Q

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

A
  • Commonest skin tumour. Metastases very rare.
  • Aetiology; sun exposed site, especially face. Occasional secondary to radiotherapy
  • Pale skin that burns easily
  • Immunosuppression
  • Rare - Gorlin’s syndrome (inherited prob)
  • Can be on face- difficult to treat
  • Don’t leave them- treat early

Clinically;
• Early: nodule.
• Late: ulcer (rodent ulcer).
• Morphoeic BCC - ill defined (thickening & woodiness on skin) & infiltrative.

Microscopically; tumours composed of islands of basaloid cells with peripheral palisade

44
Q

What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

A
  • 2nd most commonest in skin
  • U.V. irradiation. Usually occurs in sun exposed sites. Increased risk in tropical countries.
  • -Radiotherapy.
  • -Hydrocarbon exposure - tars, mineral oils, soot.
  • Chronic scars/ulcers - SCC arises within these (Marjolins ulcer).
  • Immunosuppression - renal transplant patients at increased risk.
  • Drugs, some newer drugs for treating melanoma can cause SCC
  • (BRAF inhibitors)

Clinically; nodule with ulcerated, crusted surface

Microscopically; invasive islands & trabeculae of squamous cells showing cytological atypia

  • Metastases in 5% (lip, ear, perineum (genital ear))
  • Other high risk features- > 2 cm, >4mm thick, high grade
  • Common on back of hand
45
Q

What is SCC/ Actinic Keratosis?

A
  • Pre-malignant disease; actinic [solar]keratosis.
  • Dysplasia to Squamous epithelium.
  • Very common on chronic sun exposed sites.
  • Scaly lesion with erythematous base
  • Only rarely progresses to invasive disease.
  • May spontaneously resolve (e.g. drop off)
  • Thick keratin layer (warty plaques)
46
Q

What are Melanocytes?

A
•	Constituent cell in epidermis 
•	Melanocytes derive from neural crest 
•	Function; to form melanin which is transferred to epidermal cells to protect the nucleus from UV radiation.
•	Give rise to tumours 
o	Benign; naevi [moles]-
47
Q

What are Naevi (Moles)?

A

• Local benign collections of melanocytes
• Several types;
o Superficial; congenital or acquired
o Deep in dermis; Blue naevi.[ mongolion spot- e.g. in lumbosacral area)
• Atypical mole syndrome
o Families with increased incidence of melanoma
o Multiple clinically atypical moles
o Histologically atypical/dysplastic naevi
o Increased risk of developing melanoma.
• Common naevus- collection of melanocytes (no atypia so is a nevus)
• Giant congenital naevi
o Atypical moles- atypical mole syndrome (lots of moles)

48
Q

What is Melanoma?

A

• Much rarer than BCC and SCC.
• Incidence is rising rapidly.
• Very dangerous malignancy which can metastasize widely.
• Incidence increasing (since 1975)
• Risk factors;
o Sun exposure - especially short intermittent severe exposure. Australia has more melanomas.
o Race - Celtic with red hair, blue eyes, fair complexions who tan poorly most at risk.Melanoma rare in dark skinned people (protected by melanin)
o Fam history – Atypical mole syndrome - multiple large atypical moles
Giant congenital naevi - small risk of turning malignant [<5%].

49
Q

What is Lentigo Maligna?

A
  • Face, elderly people.
  • Slow growing, flat, pigmented patch.
  • Micro: Proliferation of atypical melanocytes along basal layer of epidermis. Skin also shows signs of chronic sun damage.
  • Late in disease, melanocytes may invade dermis (lentigo maligna melanoma) with potential to metastasise.
50
Q

What is Acral Lentigenous Melanoma?

A
  • Palms and soles, occasionally subungual (under nails).
  • Commonest form in afro-caribbeans (as areas where pigment not as strong). Forms enlarging pigmented patch.
  • Micro: Similar to lentigo maligna except no marked sun damage.
  • Need to do surgery to remove
51
Q

What is Superficial Spreading Melanoma?

A
  • Commonest type in Britain.
  • Early: flat macule. Late: blue/black nodule.
  • Micro: Proliferation of atypical melanocytes which invade epidermis [pagetoid spread] and dermis.
  • Genetics; Often BRAF mutations Target for anticancer agents. Undergoing multiple clinical trials.
52
Q

What is Nodular Melanoma?

A
  • Starts as pigmented nodule. +/- ulceration. Poor prognosis.
  • Micro: Invasive atypical melanocytes invade dermis to produce nodules of tumour cells
53
Q

What are the Prognostic Factors of melanoma?

A

• Breslow thickness. Measure on microscope from granular layer of epidermis to base of tumour.
• 5 year survival rates for primary melanoma
• Thin melanoma- better prognosis
• Need to catch it early
Breslow Tumour Thickness 5yr Survival %
<1 yumour Thickness= 91-95% 5yr Survival %
1-2=75-90, 2-4.00=60-75, >4.00= 45-60
• Site - BANS - back, arms (posterior upper), neck, scalp. All poorer prognosis
• Ulceration
• Satellites/ in-transits [cutaneous deposits that occur before first lymph node] e.g. melanoma on foremarm, will see dark specs of tumour going up arm whilst travelling to lymph nodes
• Sentinel Node- lymph node which drains from melanoma first (Good indicator of prognosis)
• Sentinal lymph node removed and if +ve, rest of lymph nodes in that anatomic area removed to try & halt disease progression.

54
Q

What is the treatment of melanoma?

A

Treatment
• Surgery – excise primary and + lymph nodes if sentinel node positive
• BRAF inhibitors- 60% melanoma’s have mutation in B-raf gene. Can use BRAF inhibitors

55
Q

What are skin infections?

A

The Skin
• Epidermis=dermis= subcutaneous tissue
• Hair follicle between dermis & epidermis

Functions
• Physical barrier: chemicals, UV, micro-organisms
• Homeostasis: thermoregulation, prevention of desiccation electrolyte loss
• Immunological function: Ag presentation and phagocytosis (Langerhans cells, lymphocytes, mononuclear phagocytic cells)

Microbiology
• Heavily colonised
• Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staph. aureus, Propionibacterium, Corynebacterium spp.

Pathogenesis
• Localised infec
o Inocluation
 Penetrate skin with conyaminated object; accidental (e.g. rusty nail), deliberate (surgical procedure, injection drug uses)
 Contamination of pre-existing breach in skin e.g. abrasion, athletes foot lesion
o Other route of infec (that track to skin) e.g. neuronal migration in herpes simplex, meningococcal sespsis to skin
• Systemic generalised infec e.g. chickenpox, meningococcal sepsis

56
Q

What is Dermatophytosis?

A

Fungal Infecs of the Skin- Dermatophytosis
Infections of the skin, hair, nails
• SKIN: Tinea corporis (ring worm), tinea pedis (athletes foot), tiunea curis
• NAILS: onchomycosis (causes nail destruc)
• SCALP: Tinea CAPitis (scalp ringworm, kerion-boggy inflamm causing hair loss)

• Causative agents- DERMATOPHYTE fungi; trichophyton spp. (e.g. T. rubrum), Microsporum spp. (e.g. M. canis)
Pathogenesis
• Dematophytes use keratin as nutritional substance (eat outer layers so restricted to outer layer)
• Usually restricted to stratum corneum
• Rarley penetrate living cells of epidermis

Diagnosis- Skin scrapings- microscopy & cultre (PCR)

Treatment- Topical or systemic antifungal agents
• Depends on sit e & extent of infec
• Skin infecs
o Topical antifungal therapy- Clotrimazole, terbinafine
o Scalp & nail infecs (systemic antifungal therapy)- terbinafine, itraconazole, griseofulvin

57
Q

What is Pityriasis Versicolour?

A
  • Tinea versicolor, Dermatomycosis furfuracea
  • Causes hypo- or hyper- pigmentation of skin
  • Causative agent: MALASSEZIA SPECIES (M.furfur)

Pathogenesis
• Feeds on skin olis= forms acid
• Azelaic acid bleaching of skin spots (spotys of depigmentation)

Diagnosis- clinically, fungi fluorescence with woods lamp & skin scrapings microscopy (but difficult to grow so cultures don’t help)

58
Q

What is Viral Warts?

A
  • Small asymptomatic growths of skin (hands, genitals, feet, around nails, throat)
  • Causative agent: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
  • Pathogenesis: cause prolif & thickening of stratum corneum, granulosum & spinosum
  • Small asymptomatic growths of skin (hands, genitals, feet, around nails, throat)
  • Causative agent: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
  • Pathogenesis: cause proliferation and thickening of stratum corneum, granulosum and spinosum
59
Q

What is a Pilonidal Cyst or Abscess?

A
  • Cysts or abscesses in natal cleft
  • Caused by ingrowing hair
  • Contain hair and debris
  • Discharge to form sinus
  • Present with pain, swelling, pus
  • Recurrent
  • Treatment: Hot compress, analgesia, antibiotics, Surgical excision
60
Q

What is Impetigo?

A

Golden) Crusting, around nares or corners of mouth
• Superficial skin
• Causative organism: Staph aureus
• Transmissible
• Treatment: Topical antiseptics, Oral antibiotics

61
Q

What is Erysipelas?

A
  • Rash over face, raised, demarcated
  • Upper dermis
  • Can involve lymphatics- systemic
  • Causative organism: Strep pyogenes
  • Transmissible, recurrent
  • Treatment: Oral antibiotics
62
Q

What is Cellulitis?

A
  • Infec affecting inner layers of skin (dermis & subcutaneous fat, into lymphatics
  • Causative agent: Bacterial- Staph aureus, Group A Streptococci (Strep pyogenese), other B-haemolytic, Streptococci
  • Bacterial supra infec
  • Pathogenesis: bugs enter through break in skin e.g. via wound, insect bite, pre-existing condition eg. eczema, athletes foot, shingles (Zoster) etc.
  • Clinical presentation: Rubor (red), calor (heat), dolor (pain), tumor (swelling), Loss of skin creases (by swelling), blistering, pus/exudate, fever
  • Diagnosis: Clinical (unless septic cultures rarely helpful), Exclude other causes of red hot swollen leg (eg. DVT)
  • Treatment: Elevation (rasie legs to drain fluid away), rest, antibiotics, source control (drain pus)
63
Q

What is Orbital Cellulitis?

A
  • Infection of soft tissues around and behind eye
  • Pathogenesis:from skin or sinuses or haematogenous spread or trauma
  • Clinical presentation: Erythema, swelling with induration & pain on eye moving (irriataion of muscles moving eye)., bulging
  • Causative organism: S. aureus, S. pyogenes but also S. pneumioniae and H. influenzae
  • Treatment: IV antibiotics
64
Q

What is Ecthyma Gangranosum?

A
  • Skin infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Rare, usually in immunosuppressed
  • Blood stream infection- blocking blood supply
  • Small patches of erythema- necrosis- ulceration- scar
  • Treatment: Treat underlying bloodstream infection
65
Q

What is Pyoderma gangrenosum?

A
  • Progressive necrosis of skin resulting in ulceration
  • Start as small papules then spread out
  • Non-infectious (likely inflammatory or auto-immune)
  • Can become secondarily infected
  • Assoc. with IBD, Arthritides, autoimmune conditions, haematological conditions
  • Differential diagnosis: infected ulcer (can be s=mistaken for ulcer)
  • Treatment: Steroids, antibiotics also if infec present
66
Q

What is Necrotising Fasciitis?

A

flesh-eating bug”, rapidly progressive, life threatening

• Tracking along fascia, cutting off blood supply to skin- areas of necrosis (get colonised with bacteria- infec)

67
Q

What are the main types of Necrotising Fasciitis?

A

• Type main types:
– Type 1: Synergistic/poly-microbial, host impairment- gram negatives, Streps, anaerobes
• Risk factors: DM, obesity, immunosuppression, alcohol, older age group- eg. Fournier gangrene (involves groin & scrotum- usually in old age where blood supply to tissues not optimal)
– Type 2: Group A Strep (S. pyogenese) mediated
• younger age group, associated with cut or injury
– [Type 3: Vibrio vulnificus- sea water, coral; Type 4: fungal]

68
Q

What is the pathogenesis of Necrotising Fasciitis?

A

– Type 1 (pre-existing poor tisse- more an opportunistic infec): ischaemic tissue, colonisation then infection resulting in further ischaemia and necrosis Eg. Diverticulitis (bugs cross bowel wall & into tisse cauing infec), Fournier
– Type 2 (more to do with virulence & pathogeicity of group a strep): infection, toxin release- disruption in blood supply-necrosis

69
Q

What is the clinical presentation of Necrotising Fasciitis?

A

– Swelling, erythema (non confluent- as cellulitis preads all the way but fascitis has red patches), pain (out of context- e.g. screaming in agony but minor patches)
– Crepatus (or gas under tissues), sepsis/toxaemia, necrosis (balck areas), “dish water” exudate (dirty water looking exudate rather than pus)

70
Q

What is the treatment of Necrotising Fasciitis?

A

Surgical emergency- debridement (all necrotic material removed), antibiotics

71
Q

What is Gangerene ?

A

• Necrosis caused by inadequate of blood supply
• Risk factors: Atherosclerosis (narrowing blood vessels)- smoking, DM; auto-immune e.g. vasculitis
• “Dry” (ischaemia) vs. “Wet” Gangrene (when ischaemia becomes infected) vs. “Gas” Gangrene (progression to infec & necrotising fascitis & crepitius
• Pathogenesis:
– Poor blood flow- tissue necrosis- colonisation- infection- synergistic infection- further necrosis (which can progress to wet gangerene)
• Clinical presentation:
– Dry- “mummified”, auto-amputate
– Wet- boggy, swollen “dactylitis”, exudate, surrounding erythema
– Gas- as above but with gas in tissue- crepitus
• Causative agents:
– Skin (Staphs, Streps); Enteric (GNB, Anaerobes inc. Clostridium)
• Treatment:
– Surgical: source control (debridement), revascularisation; Antibiotics

72
Q

What is Diabetic Foot Infection?

A

• Spectrum of disease from superficial through to deep bone infection in patients with Diabetes
• Portal of entry usually damage
• Pathogenesis:
– Damage to blood vessels- Local ischaemia, impaired immunity and poor wound healing (damaged tissues don’t get better)
– Damage to nerves- Neuropathy (desensate- get damage to feet without knoeing about it), trauma
– High blood sugars- prone to bacterial infection
• Causative organisms:
– Superficial- skin flora: Staph aureus, Streps, Corynebacterium
– Deeper- skin and enteric flora: above + GNB (more gram –ves as get deeper down), anerobes
• Clinical presentation
• Treatment:
– Surgical debridement of dead material
– revascularisation
– Antibiotics
– off-loading (need weight to be taken off area for it to heal)
– Diabetic control

73
Q

What is Osteomyelitis?

A

Infection of bone (e.g. skin infec tracking right down to bone)
• Pathogenesis:
– Mechanism:
• Contiguous: eg. Diabetic foot infection
• Haematogenous: bugs in bloodstream to bone
• Penetrating (introduced via operations to patients): peri-prosthetic, traumatic
– Acute vs. Chronic
• Acute- assoc. with inflammatory reaction, fulminant, sepsis
• Chronic- present for >1 month, smouldering, acute flares
• Infection results in bone death (sequestrum) (that bacteria can live in) and new bone formation (involucrum)
• Causative organisms:
– Haem- (children): S. aureus, Strep, Kingella, Haemophilus
– Contiguous: Skin (Staph, Streps) enteric (GNB, anaerobes)
– Penetrating: surgical- skin flora, open fracture- skin, environment e.g. motorbike accident & landed in ditch
– Sickle cell: Salmonella sp.
• Clinical Presentation:
– Acute pain, swelling, erythema, sinus, pathological fracture (formation of dead bone & new bone formation- weakens bone)
– Imaging, microbiology (blood, tissue/bone)
• Treatment:
– Antibiotics (prolonged treatment- 4-6 weeks) alone (haematogenous)
– Surgical debridement and stabilisation (if dead bone present)

74
Q

What is Septic (or Pyogenic) Arthritis ?

A

• Infection of the joint (usually bacterial but can also be cause by viruses, mycobacterium and fungi)
• Pathogenesis:
• Haematogenous: blood stream infection
• Local spread: soft tissue, bone, bursitis
• Penetrating injury: joint injections, surgery, trauma
• Causative organisms:
• S. aureus, Streps, Haemphilus, N. gonorrhoeae, E.coli
• Clinical presentation: Pain, swelling, erythema, reduced range of movement (unable to weightbear), Sepsis
• Diagnosis: Clinical, confirmed by joint aspiration of synovial fluid(MCS)
• Treatment:
– Antibiotics (guided by cultures)- 4 to 6 weeks
– Surgical source control: Joint washout (remove as much of bacteria as they can)

75
Q

What is a Prosthetic Joint Infection?

A

• “PERI-prosthetic joint infection”- infection of tissue and bone surrounding a prosthetic joint
• Pathogenesis:
– Bugs get onto surface of foreign body (metal ware)- immune system cannot reach- bugs establish biofilm (slime), then start to loosen joint
– Early infecs: Implanted at time of surgery or shortly after (via wound)
– Late infecs: Haematogenous spread by blood but can be late presenting Early infections
• Causative organisms: bacterial (occasionally fungal)
– Early (e.g. from surgery) : Staph aureus, Staph epidermidis, Propionibacterium
– Late E.g. from a bacteremia): Above and E. coli (e.g. from UTI), B Haem Streps, Viridans Streps (e.g. from dental care)
• Clinical presentation:
– Pain, instability, swelling/erythema,
sinus formation- pus
– Treatment (from least to most helpful):
– Antibiotics alone (not very helpful as antibiotics can’t get through the slime)
– Antibiotics with debridement
– Single-stage revision
• remove infected joint and
replace with new one at same operation
– Two- Stage revision (as involves 2 operations)
• Remove old joint, given 6 weeks of antibiotics, insert new joint when sure all infection settled

76
Q

What is Syphilis?

A
  • Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) or congenital
  • Caused by the spirochete, Treponema pallidum
  • How sytemic infec can manifest through skin
  • Can pass from mum to child
  • 3 stages to disease:
  • Primary; chancre (painless, firm non-itchy ulcer), at the point of contact (usually genitals), usually solitary, lasts 3-6wks, lymphodenopathy
  • Secondary; 4 -10 weeks after chancre, Rash- symmetrical, red/pink, non-itchy, Rash everywhere, inc. soles/palms/mucous membs. Maculo-papular or pustular, Rash contains Treponema (so if biopsy it will be able to i.d. bug), Assoc. with other systemic symptoms
  • Tertiary; 3 to 15 years after initial infection, 3 forms: Gummatous (skin manifestation), Neuro & Cardiovascular, Gummatous (Late Benign):Chronic Gummas (large inflammatory swellings of skin, bone and liver)- inflamm from body’s immune
  • Treatment: Antibiotics- Penicillin