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This quiz will test your diagnostic skills in diagnosing lesions on the ear.
Accurate diagnosis of lesions on the ear requires a careful history, thorough skin examination in a good light, and sometimes a biopsy. Inflammatory and neoplastic conditions may appear similar, often presenting as scaly or ulcerated plaques or nodules.
For each of the ten cases, study the image(s) and then answer the questions. You can click on the image to view a larger version if required.
Each case should take approximately 2 minutes to complete. There is a list of suggested further reading material at the end of the quiz.
When you finish the quiz, you can download a certificate.
Make a diagnosis
Basal cell carcinoma
Outline the clinical features
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) grows slowly and most often presents on the ear because of bleeding or ulceration, as they are otherwise asymptomatic. Careful examination under magnification reveals a shiny nodule or plaque and arborising telangiectasia. Superficial BCC resembles SCC in-situ but the shine and telangiectasia can often be observed on stretching the affected skin.
What are the treatment options?
Options for management include imiquimod cream and photodynamic therapy for sBCC, shave, curette and electrosurgery or excision biopsy with 3mm margin. Mohs microscopically controlled surgery is treatment of choice for ill defined, recurrent or morphoeic tumours.