During examination of a patient with a large intact blister, firm lateral pressure on the edge of the blister causes it to extend into the surrounding normal skin. What is this sign called?
- A Darier sign
- B Asboe-Hansen sign ✓
- C Auspitz sign
- D Bulla spread sign of Lever
Correct answer: B. Asboe-Hansen sign
Explanation
The Asboe-Hansen sign, or indirect Nikolsky sign, is extension of an established blister to adjacent skin under firm pressure. It reflects fragile cell-to-cell adhesion and supports intraepidermal blistering disorders such as pemphigus. The direct Nikolsky sign instead involves shearing of normal-appearing skin away with sliding pressure. Darier sign is urtication of mastocytosis lesions and Auspitz sign belongs to psoriasis.
Reference: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.