VisualDx Provides Daily Knowledge to Help Resident Make Better Decisions

Jazmine N., a resident at Northeast Regional Medical Center, shares how she uses VisualDx every day to view images and help make better clinical decisions:

We unfortunately have a limited population of African Americans in our community, which makes it difficult for us to identify skin diseases that appear differently in that population versus lower skin phototypes. I had a patient come in with lichen nitidus papules within tattoo lines. After viewing images for lichen nitidus on VisualDx, I was able to appropriately diagnose and treat this patient. I use VisualDx daily to study images, help diagnose patient, and print out patient handouts to help patients better understand their disease process. It has been invaluable in my daily residency learning and practice.

What is lichen nitidus?

Lichen nitidus is a benign, chronic, cutaneous eruption characterized by the presence of small, discrete, uniform, often skin-colored papules that present in clusters or linear arrays. It most commonly affects children and young adults, although it can be found in patients of all ages.

Lichen nitidus may be generalized or focal, but it is commonly found on the chest, abdomen, flexor surfaces of the upper extremities, dorsal hands, and anogenital region (including the shaft and glans of the penis). Patients may complain of pruritus over affected areas, although these micropapules are typically asymptomatic.

What should we be aware of when making a diagnosis?

The shaft and glans of the penis are considered favored sites for lichen nitidus, which should be considered in the differential for penile papules.

How can we treat this?

Given that the majority of patients are asymptomatic and that these lesions tend to clear spontaneously over time, reassurance and clinical observation are reasonable initial treatment options. Treatment should ultimately be guided by patient symptoms and preference.

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