In a patient with pemphigus vulgaris, firm vertical pressure applied to the centre of an intact blister causes the blister to spread laterally into adjacent normal-looking skin. What is this sign called?

• A Auspitz sign
• B Direct Nikolsky sign
• C Darier sign
• D Asboe-Hansen sign ✓

Explanation

The Asboe-Hansen sign, also called indirect Nikolsky sign, is lateral extension of an existing blister when vertical pressure is applied to its roof. The direct (marginal) Nikolsky sign instead refers to shearing of apparently normal skin away from the dermis when tangential pressure is applied, producing a fresh erosion. Darier sign is urtication of mastocytosis lesions on rubbing, and Auspitz sign belongs to psoriasis.

Reference: Bolognia, Schaffer and Cerroni, Dermatology, 5th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.