Dermatology

Bonnetblanc, J.M.; Bernard, P.; Fayol, J.

doi: 10.1159/000248032pmid: N/A

A retrospective analysis of 118 cases of dermatomyositis (DM) collected in 22 departments of dermatology over a 5-year period is presented. 34 cases (28%) were associated with a cancer that was diagnosed more than 1 year prior to (7 cases) concomitantly (22 cases) or more than 1 year after (5 cases) the occurrence of DM. There was a clear correlation between the evolution of DM and a cancer paraneoplastic evolution in 8 cases only (22%). In most of the cases, no extensive diagnostic procedures were necessary for identifying the tumors. 58% of the patients with cancer-associated DM died 20 (8–29) months after the diagnosis of DM. This multicenter study based on a short period of time confirms and extends previous observations based on retrospective single-center analyses.

Tosti, Antonella; Gaddoni, Giuseppe; Fanti, Pier Alessandro; D’Antuono, Antonietta; Albertini, Francesco

doi: 10.1159/000248033pmid: N/A

9 Caucasian patients who developed longitudinal melanonychia during 3′-azidodeoxythymidine (AZT) treatment for HIV infection are reported. The occurrence of nail pigmentation was not related to drug dosage or to the severity of the HIV infection. AZT as well as other drugs acting on DNA synthesis or transcription seem to be a quite frequent cause of longitudinal melanonychia.

Rongioletti, Franco; Parodi, Aurora; Rebora, Alfredo

doi: 10.1159/000248034pmid: 2192926

We describe 3 cases of papular and nodular mucinosis (PNM), a clinically distinctive cutaneous mucinosis associated with lupus erythematosus (LE), which has received little attention in the dermatologic literature. Histopathology shows deposits of mucin in the dermis without microscopic features of LE while immunofluorescent studies disclose linear or granular deposits of IgG, IgM and C3 at the dermoepidermal junction. In about 80% of the 14 cases described in the literature PMN has been associated with systemic LE with prevalent joint and kidney involvement. The possible prognostic significance of this singular dermatosis is discussed.

Letot, B.; Piérard-Franchimont, C.; Piérard, G.E.

doi: 10.1159/000248035pmid: 1972683

Many coelenterates can injure human skin by means of their nematocytes. Our study was based upon clinico-pathological confrontations and was also conducted in vitro with sea anemones. Most acute reactions were toxic in nature and induced sublethal and lethal alterations of the keratinocytes with swelling of their cytoplasms and pyknosis. Another reaction found in 1 patient revealed an acantholytic disruption of the epidermis associated with intercellular deposits of IgG. These lesions were different from the late or recurrent reactions to coelenterates.

Metze, Dieter; Jurecka, Wolfgang; Gebhart, Walter

doi: 10.1159/000248036pmid: N/A

A case of disseminated syringomas with unusual distribution and high age of onset is reported. The 66-year-old male patient presented with multiple lesions confined to dorsum of both hands and flexor side of both forearms. Morphological and immunohistochemical studies using keratin, S-100, carcinoembryonic antigen, and epithelial membrane antigen antibodies were performed both at light microscopical and ultrastructural level. These investigations revealed the presence of keratin filament containing colloid bodies near syringomatous epithelia. Reactivity for carcinoembryonic antigen could be demonstrated on the membranes of intracytoplasmic vesicles as well as within luminal debris. Absence of S-100 and epithelial membrane antigen in the tumor and ultrastructural features indicate ductal origin of syringoma.

Kitano, Yukio; Okada, Natsuko; Sasai, Seijiro

doi: 10.1159/000248037pmid: 2358103

In order to prepare a good medium for cultivation of keratinocytes, bovine serum was fractionated by precipitation with various concentrations of ammonium sulfate. The fractionated serum proteins were added to the basal medium at a concentration of 3 mg/ml. The best proliferation was observed in the medium supplemented with the 55–70% ammonium sulfate precipitated fraction. No growth of keratinocytes was observed when the medium was supplemented with the 0–35% fraction. The growth promotion by the 55–70% fraction was completely inhibited by the 0–35% fraction. These results have shown that the fractionation of serum protein clearly separated the growth-inhibitory factors and the growth-stimulating factors.

Chivot, M.; Midoun, H.

doi: 10.1159/000248038pmid: 2141579

A study was carried out involving 172 patients with acne which warranted treatment with isotretinoin. Patients were followed up for between 12 and 41 months after discontinuation of treatment and the number of relapses was assessed. 37 patients (21%) relapsed. These relapses were correlated with patients’ age, length of disease progression prior to treatment total dose received daily dose duration of treatment and severity of acne. It appeared that only young age and severity of acne influenced the percentage of relapse.

Yamamoto, T.; Mamada, A.; Kondo, S.; Yamaguchi, J.; Ohara, K.

doi: 10.1159/000248039pmid: 2358104

A case of Bowen’s disease on the lower abdomen is described. It was characterized by the unusually large size of the lesion and the high level of serum squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen which however decreased rapidly after surgical removal of the tumor.