Medical Mnemonics - Recognizing Features of Melanoma - "ABCDE"

Medical Mnemonics – Features of Melanoma

Medical mnemonic for the recognizing features of Melanoma It is important to recognize the moles and growths that might cancerous early in the process. A mole exhibiting the following ABCDE features should be at least suspected for Melanoma.

• A: Asymmetry – Asymmetric moles are particularly suspicious
• B: Border – Irregular borders are more likely to be cancerous
• C: Color – Different colors within a mole are suspicious
• D: Diameter – Moles with a diameter > 6mm are especially suspicious
• E: Evolving – A mole that is enlarging or begins to feel itchy is another suspicious sign

A special distinction is made for Nodular Melanoma, which is often smaller in size and symmetrical. It is also often even in color. The mnemonic EFG is often used for the recognizing features of Nodular Melanoma.

• E: Elevated
• F: Firm to touch
• G: Growing progressively for more than a month

Check out the list of the previous Medical Mnemonics here.

Medical Mnemonics: Causes of Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis – “GOLD MARK”

Medical Mnemonics – Anion Gap Acidosis – “GOLD MARK”

The classic mnemonic often used to remember the causes of anion gap metabolic acidosis is “MUDPILES”

• M – Methanol
• U – Uremia
• D – Diabetic ketoacidosis
• P – Propylene Glycol
• I – Isoniazid
• L – Lactic Acidosis
• E – Ethylene Glycol
• S – Salicylates

More recently a new mnemonic has been suggested to update new our understanding of anion-gap generating acids. The updated mnemonic “GOLD MARK” was proposed in a 2008 article in The Lancet.

• G – Glycols (ethylene glycol and propylene glycol)
• O – Oxoproline
• L – L-Lactate
• D – D-Lactate
• M – Methanol
• A – Aspirin
• R – Renal Failure
• K – Ketoacidosis

As medicine evolves, so do our Mnemonics. This is the fifth medical mnemonic in our series of Monday Mnemonics.

Medical Mnemonics: Features of Horner's Syndrome

Medical Mnemonics: Features of Horner’s Syndrome – “SAMPLE”

Medical Mnemonics
Horner’s Syndrome (Oculosympathetic paresis) is a rare neurologic condition whose symptoms and signs include:

• Ptosis (drooping eyelid)
• Anhidrosis (inability to sweat).
• Miosis (pupil constriction)

Horner’s syndrome can be caused by any set of sympathetic nerve fiber injuries. Horner’s syndrome is generally classified into Central and Peripheral.

• Central: Sympathetic nerves start in the brain and then travel down to the spinal cord and into the chest.
• Peripheral: Sympathetic nerves start from the chest to the neck, arteries, head, and into the eyes.

Another feature of Horner’s syndrome is loss of ciliospinal reflex (pupil dilates when pressure / pain applied to neck or face. Patients with Horner’s syndrome also experience Enophthalmos (posterior displacement of the eyeball). These features can all be remembered by the mnemonic “SAMPLE”

• S: Sympathetic Nerve Fiber Injury
• A: Anhidrosis
• M: Miosis
• P: Ptosis
• L: Loss of ciliospinal reflex
• E: Enophthalmos