Dermatologist Certificate Dermatopathology and Histology 2

Question 1

Pautrier microabscesses on skin biopsy are characteristic of which condition?

Accepted Answer

Mycosis fungoides

Answer

Pautrier microabscesses are intraepidermal collections of atypical T lymphocytes (cerebriform nuclei) that are pathognomonic of mycosis fungoides (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma).

Question 2

'Interface dermatitis' describes inflammatory damage primarily at which anatomical site?

Accepted Answer

At the dermal-epidermal junction

Answer

Interface dermatitis refers to a lichenoid inflammatory pattern at the dermal-epidermal junction, causing vacuolar change or band-like infiltrate, as seen in lichen planus and lupus.

Question 3

The 'saw-tooth' pattern of rete ridges on skin histology is most characteristic of which condition?

Accepted Answer

Lichen planus

Answer

Lichen planus shows irregular, saw-tooth shaped rete ridges with a band-like lymphocytic infiltrate hugging the dermal-epidermal junction.

Question 4

Flame figures in the dermis are classically associated with which dermatological condition?

Accepted Answer

Wells syndrome (eosinophilic cellulitis)

Answer

Flame figures are eosinophilic granular deposits coating collagen fibers, characteristic of Wells syndrome (eosinophilic cellulitis), a recurrent eosinophilic dermatosis.

Question 5

A 'Grenz zone' on dermatopathology refers to which histological finding?

Accepted Answer

A band of spared papillary dermis between the epidermis and a dermal infiltrate

Answer

The Grenz zone is a narrow band of normal papillary dermis separating the overlying epidermis from the underlying inflammatory or neoplastic infiltrate, often seen in lepromatous leprosy and some lymphomas.

Dermatologist Certificate Practice Test

Dermatologist Certificate Practice Test

Dermatologist Certificate Dermatopathology and Histology 2