Differential Diagnosis for the Dermatologist

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XVII

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2. The Chief Complaint

   Pages 1-22

3. The Past Medical History, Social History, and Review of Systems

   Pages 23-69

4. The Physical Exam

   Pages 71-243

5. The Biopsy

   Pages 245-278

6. The Laboratory Results

   Pages 279-289

7. The Diagnosis

   Pages 291-1268

8. Back Matter

   Pages 1269-1341

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Tis book originated as a small reference manual that I created to serve as an educational supplement for the dermatology residents a-t Loui siana State University Health Sciences Center. Deeming the compiled information to be useful for all dermatologists, I decided to expand the text and publish it. Every major category of the patient evaluation, from the chief complaint to the diagnosis, is addressed with regard to the dermatological diferential diagnosis. Te establishment of a precise diferential diagnosis for a gi- ven cu taneous problem is the fundamental challenge that the dermatologist faces with every patient. Tis unique exercise is very intellectual; in a short period of time the clinician must select from a list of perhaps several hundred diseases a few possibilities that match the clinic-al pre sentation. Tis is performed while also negotiating the patient - interac tion, examining the patient, and beginning to formulate a pla- n of ac tion. Profciency in the formulation of a diferential diagnosis that is brief and simultaneously thorough allows for consideration of- all pos sibilities, proper evaluation, and, hopefully, rapid diagnosis. We hope to provide the target readers (dermatologists and dermatologists- -in-train ing) with some assistance in carrying out this frequently complicated task. For the confrontation with an atypical presentation of a common disease or the classic presentation of an uncommon disease, the reader will hopefully fnd this book very useful.

• diagnosis
• differential diagosis
• melanoma
• skin disease
• staging of melanoma
• systemic skin disease

From the reviews:

"A worthy differential diagnosis book. Drs. Jackson and Nesbitt have attacked this gargantuan task and have succeeded admirably. … Dermatologists and dermatology residents should have this book. Even seasoned dermatologists can benefit from this information. … has a clean layout that has space for readers to add their own notes. This is the best differential book to date. … Overall, I love the book and now I can abandon my fantasy of writing the perfect differential diagnosis book because they have done it. Thank you!" (Patricia Wong, Doody’s Review Service, August, 2008)

• Department of Dermatology, LSUHSC, Baton Rouge, USA

  Scott Jackson

• Department of Dermatology, LSUHSC, New Orleans, USA

  Lee T. Nesbitt

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