This book investigates dermatologic diseases that pose a direct or indirect threat to a patient's life. It is organized into four color-coded sections covering serious cutaneous malignancies like melanoma, life-threatening infectious pathogens such as anthrax and smallpox, endocrinologic disorders including myxedema and calciphylaxis, and autoimmune disorders and inborn errors of metabolism like scleroderma and hemochromatosis. The text details approximately 40 disease states, each accompanied by full-color clinical and microscopic photography, with subsections on demographics, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, pathology, diagnostics, treatment, and prognosis, supported by current bibliographies.

This text is structured as a comprehensive reference for medical professionals, likely appealing to dermatologists, pathologists, and infectious disease specialists. Its detailed approach to diagnosing and managing life-threatening skin conditions, supported by extensive visual aids and bibliographical references, suggests a high degree of clinical utility. The organization by disease category and the inclusion of specific diagnostic and prognostic information indicate a focus on practical application in a clinical setting.