Week 3 Flashcards
Ulcer on foot or mid-shin?
arterial ulcer
ulcer on sacrum, heels, ischia or greater trochanters?
pressure ulcers
ulcer on medial or lateral malleolus?
venous ulcer
“The tendency to perceptually lock onto salient features in the patient’s initial presentation too early in the diagnostic process, and failing to adjust this initial impression in the light of later information.”
Anchoring
“The disposition to judge things being more likely, or frequently occurring, if they readily come to mind.”
Availability
What is the purpose of ankle exercises in leg ulcers?
they are important to maintain joint mobility with ulcers near the ankle - vital to prevent skin fibrosis which causes joints to stiffen.
Which type of skin cancer can develop from leg ulcers (rare)?
squamous cell carcinomas
Layers of scalp?
From outside in: Skin Connective tissue Aponeurosis Loose connective tissue Periosteum
What is Bowen’s disease?
intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma (carcinoma in situ)
well defined scaly patch
old ladies’ legs
What is the proper name for freckles?
ephilides
What is the most effective treatment of malignant melanoma?
early radical therapy
Why can a malignant melanoma NOT be effectively treated with combined chemo and radiotherapy?
due to embryological origins and the high amount of melanin within them, malignant melanomas do not respond well to chemo or radiotherapy even when used in combination.
What is the role of the MC1R gene?
Melanocortin 1 receptor gene turns phaeomelanin into eumelanin;
2 mutated genes = red hair + freckles
1 mutated gene = red hair or freckles
“age or liver spots” found on dorsal of hand?
actinic or solar lentigines
How is a usual congenital naevi formed?
during infancy the melanocyte to keratinocyte ratio breakdown at a number of cutaneous sites
Path of development of acquired naevus?
junctional naevus
compound naevus
intradermal naevus
What would be seen when looking through microscope at a junctional naevus?
melanocytes proliferate -> clusters of cells at DEJ
What can be seen in a compound naevus?
junctional clusters + groups of cells in dermis
The final step of intradermal naevus…?
all junctional activity has ceased; entirely dermal
What are some features of a dysplastic naevi (DN)?
> 6mm diameter
multi-coloured pigment
border asymmetry
Describe the 2 clinical settings of DN.
SPORADIC - not inherited, one-several atypical naevi, risk of MM slight raised.
FAMILIAL - strong FH of melanoma, high penetrance, autosomal inheritance, atypical naevi ++, lifetime risk melanoma up to 100%
Describe a halo naevi.
a peripheral halo of depigmentation; they show inflammatory regression and are overrun by lymphocytes
Describe a blue naevi.
entirely dermal and consist of pigment rich in dendritic spindle cells;
the cellular variant may have mitoses and mimic melanoma
The ‘benign juvenile melanoma’ is now called…?
What are its features?
Spitz naevus
occur <20 years
consist of large spindle ± epithelial cells
may closely mimic melanoma
most entirely benign
can look pink due to prominent vasculature; epidermal hyperplasia