How Do I Describe Skin Lesions?

Systemic Mastocytosis
Systemic Mastocytosis. Maculopapular lesions on the trunk and extremities. Upon rubbing on the lesions they developed erythema, swelling and the patient complained of itchiness (positive Darier’s sign). Skin revealed intense systemic mastocytosis infiltration in superficial parts of the dermis, including both perivascular and diffuse infiltrates. Delayed diagnosis of adult indolent systemic mastocytosis. Mikkelsen CS, Nybo A, Arvesen KB, Holk-Poulsen J - Dermatology reports (2014). Not altered. CC.

For macroscopic descriptions of skin lesions: 

  • Blister: A a vesicle or bulla.
  • Bulla: A fluid-filled raised lesion greater than 5 mm across.
  • Excoriation: A traumatic lesion characterized by breakage of the epidermis, leading to a raw linear area often self-induced.
  • Lichenification: Prominent skin markings as a result of repeated rubbing in susceptible persons, the skin is thickened and rough.
  • Macule: Flatness and usually distinguished from surrounding skin by its coloration circumscribed lesion of up to 5 mm in diameter.
  • Nodule: A raised lesion with a spherical contour greater than 5 mm across.
  • Onycholysis: Parting of the nail plate from the nail bed.
  • Patch: A circumscribed lesion of more than 5 mm in diameter considered by its evenness and usually illustrious from surrounding skin by its coloring.
  • Papule: Raised flat-topped or dome-shaped lesion measuring 5 mm or less across.
  • Plaque: Elevated, greater than 5 mm across and flat-topped lesion.
  • Pustule: A separate, pus-filled, elevated lesion.
  • Scale: A result of imperfect cornification characterized by dry, horny, platelike excrescence.
  • Vesicle: A fluid-filled raised lesion 5 mm or less across.

For microscopic descriptions of skin lesions: 

  • Acanthosis: A diffuse epidermal hyperplasia.
  • Dyskeratosis: An atypical keratinization happening prematurely within individual cells or groups of cells below the stratum granulosum.
  • Erosion: The discontinuity to the skin showing incomplete loss of the epidermis.
  • Exocytosis: The penetration of the epidermis by inflammatory or circulating blood cells.
  • Hydropic Swelling: Intracellular edema of keratinocytes, frequently in viral contagions.
  • Hypergranulosis: Stratum granulosum hyperplasia, frequently due to concentrated rubbing.
  • Hyperkeratosis: Stratum corneum thickening, linked to a qualitative abnormality of the keratin.
  • Lentiginous: A linear pattern of melanocyte proliferation within the epidermal basal cell layer.
  • Papillomatosis: The surface raise triggered by hyperplasia and amplification of contiguous dermal papillae.
  • Parakeratosis: The means of keratinization branded by the retaining of the nuclei in the stratum corneum, normal on mucous membranes.
  • Spongiosus: The intercellular edema of the epidermis.
  • Ulceration: The discontinuity of the skin unveiling complete loss of the epidermis and frequently of portions of the dermis and subcutaneous fat.
  • Vacuolization: The development of vacuoles in or next to cells, usually referring to the basal cell-basement membrane zone area.
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Last updated on May 22, 2022