WBR0535

Author	[[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1]]]
Exam Type	ExamType::USMLE Step 1
Main Category	MainCategory::Pathology
Sub Category	SubCategory::Dermatology, SubCategory::Neurology
Prompt	[[Prompt::A 74 year old male patient with a significant history of a chronic neurological disease presents to the physician's office complaining of a new scalp lesion. The patient reports his only medication is ropirinole that has been well-tolerated. He has no history of allergies. He does not smoke and does not drink alcohol. On physical examination, the physician notes on inspection the lesion shown in the image below. Further physical examination shows a tremor at rest, jerky muscular movements upon active bending of the limb, and bradykinesia. Following appropriate work-up, the physician informs the patient that his scalp lesion is in fact associated with his neurological condition. What is the most likely diagnosis of the patient's scalp lesion? ]]
Answer A	AnswerA::Candida albicans
Answer A Explanation	[[AnswerAExp::Candida albicans is not commonly associated with Parkinson's disease. Howevever, candida albicans, similar to seborrheic dermatitis, is also a fungal inflammation of the skin that causes erythema and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis.]]
Answer B	AnswerB::Eczema
Answer B Explanation	AnswerBExp::Eczema is a type of dermatitis that is often a scaling lesion located at skin flexures. It is commonly found in children with atopy, such as asthma. It is not commonly associated with Parkinson's disease.
Answer C	AnswerC::Psoriasis
Answer C Explanation	[[AnswerCExp::Psoriasis is a silvery scaling papule or plaque that should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis. It is characterized by increase in the stratum spinosum layer of the skin and a decrease of the stratum granulosum. Psoriasis commonly presents in younger individuals. A positive Auspitz sign, defined as bleeding when scaled are scraped off, is characteristic on physical exam. Psoriasis is not commonly associated with Parkinson's disease.]]
Answer D	AnswerD::Urticaria
Answer D Explanation	AnswerDExp::Urticaria or hives is a skin manifestation of allergic conditions that is characterized by raised erythematous itchy wheals with central clearing.
Answer E	AnswerE::Seborrheic dermatitis
Answer E Explanation	AnswerEExp::Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease caused by Malassezia furfur. It is associated with Parkinson's disease.
Right Answer	RightAnswer::E
Explanation	[[Explanation::Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease with sebum secretions due to malassezia furfur that occurs most often on the face, scalp, and chest. On histology, seborrheic dermatitis is best characterized by parakeratosis (retained nuclei in stratum corneum), orthokeratosis (formation of anuclear keratin layer), and follicular plugs. Also, there is cyclical "squirting" of granulocytes from the dermal papilla. Seborrheic dermatitis is best treated using any of several topical antifungal medications, and keratinolytic agents, such as selenium sulphide. The patient presents with findings on physical examination that suggest Parkinson's disease; that are further emphasized by the use of ropirinole, a non-ergotamine dopamine agonist. Patients with Parkinson's disease often have resting or "pill-rolling" tremor, cogwheel rigidity upon active flexion of the limbs, and bradykinesia. The association between Parkinson's disease and seborrheic dermatitis is well established with a poorly understood pathophysiology. The level of seborrhea, however, does not seem to correlate with the degree of Parkinson's disease. Other factors associated with seborrheic dermatitis are HIV/AIDS, mood disorders, and winter weather. Educational Objective: Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects the face, scalp, and chest. It is caused by Malassezia furfur and is commonly associated with Parkinson's disease. Reference: Gupta AK, Bluhm R. Seborrheic dermatitis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2003;18(1): 13-26 Educational Objective: References: ]]
Approved	Approved::No
Keyword	WBRKeyword::seborrheic, WBRKeyword::dermatitis, WBRKeyword::seborrheic dermatitis, WBRKeyword::parkinson's, WBRKeyword::parkinson, WBRKeyword::cogwheel, WBRKeyword::rigidity, WBRKeyword::bradykinesia, WBRKeyword::resting, WBRKeyword::pill, WBRKeyword::rolling, WBRKeyword::tremor
Linked Question	Linked::
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