Correspondence

Mnemonics in dermatology
Correspondence
45
Correspondence
Oxford, UK
International
IJD
Blackwell
1365-4632 Publishing,
Publishing
Journal Ltd,
of
Ltd.
Dermatology
2004

Correspondence

Mnemonics in dermatology
As medical information continues to grow at an exponential
rate, it is becoming increasingly difficult for medical students,
residents, and even practicing physicians to feel comfortable
with their knowledge base and recall ability. In an attempt to
overcome the overwhelming amount of information, mne-
monics are often used, and they have proven to be a successful
learning aid. Defined by Websters dictionary as assisting or
designed to assist memory,1 the different types of mnemonic
strategies include rhyming schemes, the use of acronyms, and
the use of visual picture associations. All of these can be effect-
ive tools for efficacious rote memorization of facts, increasing
memory performance by up to 40 50%.2
Aboud et al.3 presented a few useful mnemonics in dermato-
logy in their piece, Mnemonics in dermatology; an appraisal.3
Although catchy and simple mnemonics can be extremely
useful study aids, more obscure ones may be difficult to learn
and counterproductive compared with traditional memoriza-
tion. We would like to share some key dermatology mnemonics
that we have found to be helpful and effective (Fig. 1). These
can be easily memorized, and can benefit students, residents,
and clinicians.
Although mnemonics have limitations and should not
replace traditional methods of teaching and learning, they are
a useful education tool. Good mnemonics can increase the
speed and amount of retained factual information, especially
during stressful situations, such as examinations.2 Self-made
mnemonics are often particularly effective, as the time and
creative energy devoted to their development result in
increased recall. With increasing confidence and experience,
physicians ultimately cease to rely on mnemonics as the con-
cepts to be memorized become indoctrinated into practice.
Nathaniel Bouganim, BSC
Benjamin Barankin, MD
Anatoli Freiman, MD
Montreal, QC, and Edmonton, AB, Canada
References
1 Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edn.
Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2002.
2 Koeckeritz JL, Hopkins KV, Merril AS. Interactive learning
can be effective using mnemonics (ILEUM). Nurse Educator
2004; 29: 7579.
3 Aboud KA, Hawsawi KA, Ramesh V, et al. Mnemonics
in dermatology; an appraisal. Int J Dermatol 2002;
41: 594595.
4 Barankin B, Guenther L. Dealing with common skin
problems. Can J Diagnosis 2003; 20(03): 102113.
5 Brodell RT, Mehrabi D. Underlying causes of
erythema nodosum. Postgrad Med 2000; 108:
147149.
6 Fryssira H, Papathanassiou M, Barbounaki J, et al. A male
with polysyndactyly, linear skin defects and sclerocornea.
Goltz syndrome versus MIDAS. Dysmorphology 2002;
11: 277281.
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2004 The International Society of Dermatology International Journal of Dermatology 2006, 45, 8182
82 Correspondence

Describing Skin Lesions Non-scarring alopecia

LES. T CABS4 TOP HAT
Location and distribution (e.g. bilateral/symmetrical) Telogen effluvium, Tinea capitis
Erythema (e.g. yes or no) Out of iron, zinc
Surface features (e.g. scale, verrucous) Physical-trichotillomania, traction alopecia
Type (e.g. papule, nodule, vesicle) Hormonal-hypothyroidism, androgenic
Color (e.g. violaceous, blue) Autoimmune-alopecia areata, anagen effluvium
Arrangement (e.g. grouped) Toxins-heavy metals, chemotherapy
Border/shape (e.g. linear, serpiginous)
Special sites/systemic (e.g. oral, nails, scalp) Erythema Nodosum
NODOSUM5
Generalized Skin Hyperpigmentation NO cause is found in 60% of cases
With generalized, none of the skin is SPARED Drug (iodides, bromides, sulfonamides)
Sunlight Oral contraceptives
Pregnancy Sarcoidosis or Lfgrens syndrome
Addisons disease Ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease, Behets
Renal failure Microbiology: any chronic infection (bacterial, viral, yersinia,
Excess iron (haemochromatosis) tuberculosis, leprosy, deep fungal)
Drugs (e.g. amiodarone, minocycline)
Behcets syndrome: Diagnostic Criteria
Painful Cutaneous Nodules PROSE
BENGAL CO. Pathergy test
Blue rubber bleb nevus Recurrent genital ulceration
Eccrine spiradenoma Oral ulceration (recurrent)
Neurilemmoma/Neuroma Skin lesions (e.g. erythema nodosum, subcutaneous throm-
Glomus tumor bophlebitis, cutaneous hypersensitivity)
Angiolipoma/ Angioleiomyoma/Angiosarcoma Eye lesions (e.g. iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis)
Leiomyoma Oral ulceration is central criterion, plus any 2 others
Cutaneous endometriosis/ Calcinosis cutis
Osteoma cutis Focal Dermal Hypoplasia Syndrome/Goltz syndrome
FOCAL
White Patch of Skin Female sex (85 90%)6
Vitiligo PATCH Osteopathia striata
Vitiligo Coloboma
Pityriasis alba/ Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation Absent ecto-, meso-, and neuro-dermis elements
Age related hypopigmentation (e.g. idiopathic guttate Lobster claw deformity
hypomelanosis)
Tinea versicolor, Tuberous sclerosis (ash-leaf macules) SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Diagnosis
Congenital birthmark (e.g. Hypomelanosis of Ito) SOAP BRAIN MD
Hansens disease (leprosy) Serositis
Oral / nasal ulcers
Common Causes of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Arthritis
VASCULITIS Photosensitivity
Viral (e.g. Hepatitis B and C) Blood (cytopenia)
Autoimmune (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjgrens Renal involvement
syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis) ANA
Streptococci, Staphylococci, Henoch-Schnlein purpura Immune (typical antibodies e.g. dsDNA, anti-Sm)
Cryoglobulins, Cryofibrinogens, Churg Strauss/ Wegeners Neurologic (e.g. seizures, stroke)
granulomatosis Malar rash
Ulcerative colitis, urticarial vasculitis Discoid rash
Lymphoproliferative disease (hairy cell leukemia) 4 out of 11 criteria needed for diagnosis
Infectious (endocarditis, meningococcemia, gonococcemia,
Rocky Mountain spotted fever) Henoch-Schonlein purpura: signs and symptoms
Thiazides, phenothiazines, and other drugs NAPA
Immune complex reactions, iodides, idiopathic Nephritis
Sulfa drugs (septra), penicillin, and other antibiotics Arthritis, arthralgias
Purpura , palpable (especially on lower extremities)
Abdominal pain (intussusception to be ruled out)

Figure 1 Helpful dermatology mnemonics

International Journal of Dermatology 2006, 45, 8182 2004 The International Society of Dermatology