SCALP TENDERNESS
SCALP TENDERNESS: Excerpt from Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
The cause of scalp tenderness can best be recalled utilizing the
mnemonic MINT.
M—Mental disorders such
as pseudoneurosis can be associated with diffuse scalp tenderness.
I—Inflammation would bring to mind herpes zoster, pediculosis,
tinea capitis, cellulitis, an infected sebaceous cyst, and impetigo.
N—Neurologic disorders associated with a tender scalp include
temporal arteritis, occipital nerve entrapment, trigeminal neuralgia, and
neoplasms that involve the cranium and meninges (i.e., meningioma).
T—Trauma would suggest scalp contusions, fractures, and
hematomas.
Approach to the Diagnosis
Most skin conditions should be easily diagnosed by inspection. A Wood’s
lamp inspection would assist in the diagnosis of tinea capitis. A KOH prep
of scraping may be necessary. Skin biopsy will diagnose other skin
disorders. A sedimentation rate and biopsy of the superficial temporal
artery will diagnose temporal arteritis. If occipital nerve entrapment is
suspected, a nerve block should be done to confirm the diagnosis. X-rays of
the skull and a magnetic resonance imaging (.5ptMRI.5pt) may be necessary, but a
neurologist should be consulted before ordering expensive diagnostic tests.
Book Source Details
- Book Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
- Author(s): R. Douglas Collins MD, FACP
- Year of Publication: 2007
- Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
More About Dandruff
More Medical Textbooks Online about Dandruff
Review other book chapters online related to Dandruff:
Medical Books Excerpts
- DANDRUFF
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Dermatitis
- "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)
- [ read ]
- Dandruff
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
» Next page: Seborrheic Dermatitis (The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
