Original MICA image-reading exercise, unscored. No clinical narrative absent from the source is added.
- Describe visible findings before proposing an interpretation.
- Suggest an interpretation and at least one image limitation.
- Which clinical findings or investigations would complement this observation?
Reveal the explained reading
Petechiae
- Size
- Pinpoint, usually ≤2 mm
- Elevation
- Flat macules
- Pressure
- Do not blanch
- Context
- Associated fever and bleeding
Morphological description
Record clustered or diffuse distribution, recent onset, spread and accompanying bruises.
Causes and diagnostic direction
Causes include platelet disorders, infections and mechanically increased pressure after coughing or vomiting.
Differential diagnoses
Blanching lesions are not petechiae; any febrile haemorrhagic eruption requires clinical assessment.
Pitfalls and limitations
Meningococcal rash may appear late: its absence cannot exclude severe infection.
Take-home message
Morphology identifies petechiae; clinical condition and evolution determine the priority of care.
Sources
- Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne — Clinical Practice Guidelines: Petechiae and purpura · repères morphologiques ; recommandation pédiatrique ↗
- CDC — Meningococcal Disease Symptoms and Complications ↗
Documentary review: 2026-10-15
Media source & rights
- Author
- James Heilman, MD
- Original source
- James Heilman, MD — Petechia lower leg2.jpg — CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petechia_lower_leg2.jpg
- Licence
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Changes
- Orientation normalised and EXIF/GPS metadata removed. WebP conversion and proportional480/960/1600px derivatives, without upscaling, cropping or medical retouching. Derivatives shared under CC BY-SA4.0.
- Dimensions
- 4608 × 3456 px
- Check
- 2026-10-15