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I have a pre lim quiz in my department for cuticon 2026

CUTICON is IADVL's national dermatology conference, and many departments run prelim quiz rounds (dermatology, venereology, leprosy) to select their team. To help effectively, I need a bit more detail.
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What kind of help do you need for the CUTICON 2026 prelim quiz? · Any specific dermatology topics or subspecialties to focus on?

CUTICON is IADVL's national dermatology conference, and many departments run prelim quiz rounds (dermatology, venereology, leprosy) to select their team. To help effectively, I need a bit more detail.

I want you to help me with all - practice questions with andwers, topic wise study material , quiz strategy tips and recent dermatology updates

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CUTICON is IADVL's flagship national dermatology conference, and department prelim quizzes for it typically draw from across the full breadth of dermatology, venereology, and leprosy (DVL) plus recent advances. Since you want practice questions, topic-wise notes, strategy tips, AND recent updates across "all" topics, that's too much to cover properly in one go. Here's the map of what a typical CUTICON-style prelim quiz covers:
Topic Breakdown
  1. Basic dermatology - skin structure/physiology, lesion morphology/terminology (used heavily in image-based questions)
  2. Papulosquamous & eczematous disorders - psoriasis, lichen planus, eczemas, pityriasis rosea
  3. Infections & infestations - bacterial (impetigo, leprosy-adjacent), viral (HPV, herpes), fungal (dermatophytosis - very high-yield given India's current epidemic of resistant tinea), scabies/pediculosis
  4. STIs / Venereology - syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, HIV-related dermatoses, NACO guidelines
  5. Leprosy - classification, reactions, WHO-MDT, deformities (a CUTICON signature topic)
  6. Autoimmune & bullous disorders - pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, connective tissue diseases (lupus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma)
  7. Genodermatoses & pediatric dermatology - ichthyoses, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis
  8. Pigmentary disorders - vitiligo, melasma
  9. Hair & nail disorders - alopecias, nail dystrophies
  10. Dermatopathology - histopath correlations, special stains (classic quiz favorite for spot diagnosis)
  11. Dermatosurgery & cosmetology - lasers, fillers, chemical peels, hair transplant
  12. Drug reactions & therapeutics - SJS/TEN, biologics, newer systemic drugs
  13. Recent advances/guidelines - new drug approvals, updated treatment guidelines (JAK inhibitors, biologics for psoriasis/AD, antifungal resistance guidelines)
  14. Image-based / spot diagnosis rounds - clinical photos, dermoscopy, histopathology slides
A typical prelim round mixes rapid-fire factual MCQs, image/spot diagnosis, and a few "recent advances" questions to separate close scorers - so image recognition and recent guideline updates often decide who advances.
Given the depth you want (Q&A + notes + strategy + updates) for every topic, I'll go deep one topic at a time so each gets proper treatment rather than a shallow pass over everything.
Asking for Preferences

Which topic should I go deep on first (practice Qs + notes + strategy + recent updates)?

CUTICON is IADVL's national dermatology conference, and many departments run prelim quiz rounds (dermatology, venereology, leprosy) to select their team. To help effectively, I need a bit more detail.CUTICON is IADVL's flagship national dermatology conference, and department prelim quizzes for it typically draw from across the full breadth of dermatology, venereology, and leprosy (DVL) plus recent advances. Since you want practice questions, topic-wise notes, strategy tips, AND recent updates across "all" topics, that's too much to cover properly in one go. Here's the map of what a typical CUTICON-style prelim quiz covers:
Topic Breakdown
  1. Basic dermatology - skin structure/physiology, lesion morphology/terminology (used heavily in image-based questions)
  2. Papulosquamous & eczematous disorders - psoriasis, lichen planus, eczemas, pityriasis rosea
  3. Infections & infestations - bacterial (impetigo, leprosy-adjacent), viral (HPV, herpes), fungal (dermatophytosis - very high-yield given India's current epidemic of resistant tinea), scabies/pediculosis
  4. STIs / Venereology - syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, HIV-related dermatoses, NACO guidelines
  5. Leprosy - classification, reactions, WHO-MDT, deformities (a CUTICON signature topic)
  6. Autoimmune & bullous disorders - pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, connective tissue diseases (lupus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma)
  7. Genodermatoses & pediatric dermatology - ichthyoses, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis
  8. Pigmentary disorders - vitiligo, melasma
  9. Hair & nail disorders - alopecias, nail dystrophies
  10. Dermatopathology - histopath correlations, special stains (classic quiz favorite for spot diagnosis)
  11. Dermatosurgery & cosmetology - lasers, fillers, chemical peels, hair transplant
  12. Drug reactions & therapeutics - SJS/TEN, biologics, newer systemic drugs
  13. Recent advances/guidelines - new drug approvals, updated treatment guidelines (JAK inhibitors, biologics for psoriasis/AD, antifungal resistance guidelines)
  14. Image-based / spot diagnosis rounds - clinical photos, dermoscopy, histopathology slides
A typical prelim round mixes rapid-fire factual MCQs, image/spot diagnosis, and a few "recent advances" questions to separate close scorers - so image recognition and recent guideline updates often decide who advances.
Given the depth you want (Q&A + notes + strategy + updates) for every topic, I'll go deep one topic at a time so each gets proper treatment rather than a shallow pass over everything.

It include entire derma so see the relevant usually asked topics but you can start with genodermatoses

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"genodermatoses" AND therapy

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Genodermatoses — CUTICON Prelim Quiz Prep

1. Topic-Wise Study Notes

A. Ichthyoses (very high-yield, easy image spots)

DiseaseInheritance/GeneKey Feature
Ichthyosis vulgarisAD, FLG (filaggrin)Commonest ichthyosis; fine scales on extensors, spares flexures; associated with atopic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris
X-linked recessive ichthyosisXLR, STS (steroid sulfatase)Large brown scales; corneal opacities; mothers may have failure of labor (placental sulfatase deficiency)
Lamellar ichthyosis / CIE (ARCI spectrum)AR, TGM1 most commonCollodion baby at birth; large plate-like scales
Harlequin ichthyosisAR, ABCA12Most severe; thick armor-like plates, ectropion/eclabium, often neonatal death without treatment
Epidermolytic ichthyosisAD, KRT1/KRT10Blistering at birth, later thick verrucous scale; histology shows epidermolytic hyperkeratosis
Netherton syndromeAR, SPINK5Triad: ichthyosis linearis circumflexa, trichorrhexis invaginata ("bamboo hair"), atopy/immune defects
Sjögren-Larsson syndromeAR, ALDH3A2Ichthyosis + spasticity + intellectual disability
(Source: Dermatology 2-Vol Set 5e, Ch. 56-57; Fitzpatrick's Dermatology 9e)

B. Epidermolysis Bullosa (mechanobullous group)

Classified by cleavage plane — 4 major types:
  • EB simplex — intraepidermal, KRT5/KRT14 — mildest, rarely scars
  • Junctional EB — lamina lucida, laminin-332/collagen XVII — severe, pyloric atresia in some
  • Dystrophic EB — sublamina densa, COL7A1 (type VII collagen) — scarring, milia, nail loss; recessive form most severe (mitten deformity, high SCC risk)
  • Kindler syndrome — mixed cleavage planes, FERMT1 (kindlin-1) — poikiloderma + photosensitivity
Extracutaneous risks to remember for quiz: GERD, anemia, esophageal strictures, squamous cell carcinoma (RDEB — leading cause of death in adults with RDEB).

C. Neurocutaneous Syndromes (phakomatoses)

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (chromosome 17, NF1 gene → neurofibromin, a RAS-GAP tumor suppressor) Diagnosis needs ≥2 of 7:
  1. ≥6 café-au-lait macules (>5mm prepubertal / >15mm postpubertal)
  2. ≥2 neurofibromas of any type, or 1 plexiform neurofibroma
  3. Axillary/inguinal freckling (Crowe sign)
  4. Optic pathway glioma
  5. ≥2 Lisch nodules (iris hamartomas)
  6. Distinctive osseous lesion (sphenoid wing dysplasia, tibial pseudarthrosis)
  7. First-degree relative with NF1
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (chromosome 22, NF2 gene → merlin) — bilateral vestibular schwannomas is the hallmark.
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC1-hamartin or TSC2-tuberin, mTOR pathway) Cutaneous major features: hypomelanotic macules (≥3), facial angiofibromas (≥3) or fibrous cephalic plaque, ungual fibromas (≥2), shagreen patch. Other majors: subependymal nodules, SEGA, cardiac rhabdomyoma, retinal hamartomas, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, angiomyolipomas (≥2). Minor: "confetti" skin lesions, dental enamel pits (>3), intraoral fibromas. Definite diagnosis = 2 major, or 1 major + 2 minor (2012 revised criteria).

D. DNA Repair Defect

Xeroderma pigmentosum — AR, defective nucleotide excision repair (multiple XP complementation genes). Extreme photosensitivity from infancy, early freckling, high risk of BCC/SCC/melanoma at a young age, some variants with neurological degeneration (De Sanctis-Cacchione syndrome).

E. Other quiz-favorites

  • Pachyonychia congenita — AD, keratin 6A/6B/6C/16/17 — painful palmoplantar keratoderma + nail dystrophy
  • Palmoplantar keratodermas — divided into diffuse, focal, punctate; some syndromic (Papillon-Lefèvre with periodontitis, Vohwinkel with pseudoainhum)
  • Incontinentia pigmenti — X-linked dominant, NEMO/IKBKG, lethal in males in utero; 4 stages (vesicular → verrucous → hyperpigmented whorls → hypopigmented atrophic streaks)

2. Practice Q&A

  1. Q: Bamboo hair on microscopy with ichthyosis and atopy points to which syndrome, and which gene? A: Netherton syndrome; SPINK5 mutation (trichorrhexis invaginata).
  2. Q: A neonate born with thick, armor-plate-like skin, ectropion, and eclabium. Diagnosis and gene? A: Harlequin ichthyosis; ABCA12 mutation.
  3. Q: Number of café-au-lait macules needed for NF1 diagnosis in a prepubertal child, and minimum size? A: ≥6 macules, each >5 mm in prepubertal patients (>15 mm postpubertal).
  4. Q: Which EB subtype carries the highest lifetime risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma? A: Recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB).
  5. Q: Chromosome and protein defective in NF2? A: Chromosome 22; merlin (schwannomin).
  6. Q: A collodion baby that later develops large, plate-like scales without erythroderma — most likely diagnosis? A: Lamellar ichthyosis (ARCI spectrum, commonly TGM1).
  7. Q: TSC diagnostic criteria — name any 2 major cutaneous features. A: Facial angiofibromas (≥3) / fibrous cephalic plaque, hypomelanotic macules (≥3), shagreen patch, ungual fibromas (≥2) — any two.
  8. Q: DNA repair pathway defective in xeroderma pigmentosum? A: Nucleotide excision repair (NER).
  9. Q: X-linked recessive ichthyosis is due to deficiency of which enzyme, and what maternal clue may be found at delivery? A: Steroid sulfatase deficiency; low estriol / failure of labor progression due to placental sulfatase deficiency.
  10. Q: Kindler syndrome gene and its distinguishing clinical feature versus other EB types? A: FERMT1 (kindlin-1); mixed-level blistering plus progressive poikiloderma and photosensitivity (not typical of other EB types).
  11. Q: Incontinentia pigmenti — inheritance pattern and why is it rarely seen in males? A: X-linked dominant, NEMO/IKBKG gene; typically lethal in hemizygous males in utero.
  12. Q: Which keratin genes are mutated in epidermolytic ichthyosis, and what is the classic histology? A: KRT1/KRT10; epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (vacuolization of upper epidermis with clumped keratohyalin).

3. Quiz Strategy Tips (genodermatoses-specific)

  • Image rounds decide these questions — genodermatoses are almost always tested via clinical photos (café-au-lait macules, shagreen patch, collodion baby, harlequin baby, Bruton's sign/Crowe sign). Practice spot recognition, not just gene names.
  • Anchor each disease to ONE defining gene/protein — quiz writers love "gene-disease" matching (e.g., FLG-ichthyosis vulgaris, COL7A1-DEB, NF1-neurofibromin, TSC1/2-mTOR). Make a one-line flash association for each.
  • Know the "rule of criteria" for NF1 and TSC cold — these numeric diagnostic criteria are extremely popular in prelim MCQs.
  • Watch for buzzwords: "bamboo hair" = Netherton, "collodion baby" = ARCI, "Crowe sign" = NF1, "shagreen patch" = TSC, "mitten deformity" = RDEB, "shagreen" vs "peau d'orange" (don't confuse with scleroderma).
  • Cross-link to other specialties — genodermatoses questions often blend with pediatrics/neurology (seizures in TSC, acoustic neuroma in NF2), so expect integrative questions, not pure derm recall.
  • Don't neglect inheritance pattern questions — a quick table of AD vs AR vs X-linked for each disease is high-yield and easy to score.

4. Recent Updates (2023-2025)

  • Beremagene geperpavec (Vyjuvek) — FDA-approved (2023) topical HSV-1 vector-based gene therapy delivering functional COL7A1 for dystrophic EB wounds; first in-vivo redosable gene therapy for a genodermatosis — a strong "recent advances" quiz question.
  • Birch triterpenes topical gel (Filsuvez) — FDA-approved (Dec 2023) for EB wound care, promotes wound closure.
  • Broader move toward CRISPR-based gene editing for genodermatoses (EB, ichthyoses) is an active review area — challenges include delivery, mosaicism correction, and long-term durability (Piñón Hofbauer et al. 2024; Brooks et al. 2023).
  • Increasing emphasis on molecular/genomic classification replacing older purely clinical classification systems (exome sequencing as first-line diagnostic tool) — Dermatology 5e now organizes genodermatoses by pathomechanism (keratin defects, RASopathies, etc.) rather than morphology alone.
  • No new randomized trial evidence changes textbook management fundamentally; the shift is diagnostic (genomic) and in targeted/gene therapies rather than new systemic drugs.
Want me to move to the next topic (leprosy, bullous disorders, or psoriasis/biologics), or drill deeper into any genodermatoses subtopic (e.g., more MCQs, or a dedicated set of image-based spotters)?
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