Head and Shoulder Lesions: Common Diseases, Uncommon Locations
Three cases of lesions often seen in primary care, 2 seen in uncommon locations. Test your visual diagnostic skills.
A Few Common Diseases, A Couple of Uncommon Locations
An 11-year-old female presented with asymptomatic papules of both shoulders of 1-2 years’ duration. Your impression?
Answer C. Acne vulgaris. Patient was treated with a topical retinoid cream and topical benzoyl peroxide with good resolution. Similar lesions later developed on the face and upper center of the chest.
A 59-year-old man was seen for a white warty-type lesion on the left ear posterior crus of the antihelix. What does it look like to you?
Answer: B. Actinic keratosis left ear antihelix posterior crus. Shave removal was followed by uneventful healing.
A 9-year-old boy presented with recurrence of asymptomatic hypopigmented lesions on the forehead, finely scaly with sharp, slightly irregular borders. What's your diagnosis?
Answer: A. Tinea versicolor, forehead.This is a classic presentation of tinea versicolor which is diagnosed by its unique clinical appearance in virtually all cases. It most commonly occurs on the anterior chest, followed by the posterior chest. Occurrence on the forehead alone is very atypical.
Typical lesions of common diseases sometimes present first in atypical locations, making early diagnosis more challenging. Which of these 3 cases prove that observation true?Â
