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macule
In dermatology:
- a macroscopic term referring to a circumscribed area of any size* characterized by its flatness & usually distinguished from surrounding skin by its coloration
- macules are not palpable
- they may be accompanied by desquamation or scaling.
* Ref [3] suggests macule < 1 cm, patch > 1 cm.
* Ref [4] suggests macule < 2 cm, patch > 2 cm.
Pathology:
Macules may be associated with:
1) rubeola
2) rubella
3) secondary syphilis
4) typhoid fever
5) drug reactions
6) petechiae
7) purpura
8) 1st degree burn
9) systemic lupus erythematosus
10) pityriasis rosea
11) vitiligo
12) tinea versicolor
Erythematous macules
- drug eruption
- viral exanthem
- secondary syphilis
- rheumatic fever
Macules on sun-exposed skin (photodistribution)
- drugs
- dermatomyositis
- lupus erythematosus
- porphyria cutanea tarda
- polymorphous light eruption
Hypopigmented macules
- postinflammatory
- Tinea versicolor
- vitiligo
- halo nevus
- sarcoidosis
- tuberous sclerosis
- cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- leprosy
Hyperpigmented macules
- nevus
- fixed drug eruption
- postinflammatory
- ephelis (freckle)
- lentigo
- Schamberg's purpura
- Mongolian spot
- purpura
- stasis dermatatis
- melasma
- melanoma
- ochranosis
- mastocytosis
- cafe au lait spot
Related
patch
Specific
herald patch
macula cerulea
melanotic macule; labial lentigo
General
skin lesion
References
- Cotran et al Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, 5th ed.
W.B. Saunders Co, Philadelphia, PA 1994 pg 1174
- DeGowin & DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination, 6th edition,
RL DeGowin (ed), McGraw Hill, NY 1994, pg 53
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, 15, 18
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998, 2009, 2018.
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed.
Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY,
1994, pg 217
- UpToDate 14.1
http://www.utdol.com