Dermatologic Surgery Flashcards
7 cards from real ABD practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Dermatologic Surgery flashcards as text
Electrodesiccation and curettage is most appropriate for which lesion?
Answer: Low-risk superficial basal cell carcinoma
ED&C is suitable for low-risk, well-defined superficial nonmelanoma skin cancers on low-risk sites.
Cryosurgery destroys tissue primarily through?
Answer: Intracellular ice crystal formation
Rapid freezing causes intracellular ice crystals that rupture cell membranes.
The recommended surgical margin for excision of a melanoma in situ is approximately?
Answer: 5 mm (0.5-1 cm)
Melanoma in situ is typically excised with a 0.5-1 cm margin.
For a well-defined primary basal cell carcinoma under 2 cm on the trunk, recommended surgical margin is?
Answer: 4 mm
A 4 mm margin achieves high cure rates for small, well-defined primary BCCs.
Which factor is a Mohs appropriate use criteria indication?
Answer: Tumor located on the H-zone of the face
Tumors in the H-zone (high-risk mask area) of the face meet Mohs appropriate use criteria.
Aggressive histologic subtypes such as morpheaform BCC warrant Mohs because they?
Answer: Have poorly defined subclinical extension
Morpheaform BCC has ill-defined margins with subclinical spread, favoring margin-controlled Mohs surgery.
Curettage is often performed before electrodesiccation because tumor tissue is?
Answer: Softer and more friable than normal dermis
Friable tumor tissue curettes away more easily than the firmer surrounding normal dermis.