Brachioradial pruritus.

Fourteen patients with brachioradial pruritus are described. In six patients the right arm was involved, in three the left arm, and in five both arms. In four of five patients so examined there was roentgenographic evidence of cervical vertebral osteoarthritis. Although sun exposure may be of etiologic importance, some, or perhaps most, cases may be due to nerve injury, either secondary to lesions of the cervical spine or perhaps resulting from nerve compression by other structures.

Lupus erythematosus with erythema multiforme (Rowell's syndrome). A case report.

A patient who presented with erythema multiforme on clinical and histological examination but who subsequently developed fatal, fulminant systemic lupus erythematosus is reported. The prognostic significance of the development of erythema multiforme-type lesions in lupus erythematosus is discussed with reference to cases reported by Rowell et al. and Provost et al. The term 'Rowell's syndrome' is best avoided.

Sucking pads (sucking calluses) of the lips in neonates: a manifestation of transient leukoedema.

The clinical and histologic features of sucking pads in neonates are clearly different from sucking blisters and leukoedema, both of which may also be present in neonates. We propose that the condition is due to a combination of intracellular edema and hyperkeratosis. Perhaps the alternative term of sucking calluses is more appropriate. The intracellular edema is ascribed to passive diffusion of fluid, presumably saliva, into the cells, while the hyperkeratosis is regarded as an adaptive phenomenon to friction during sucking.

Thallium poisoning: a dermatological perspective.

The dermatological findings in five patients with thallium poisoning are described. Cutaneous involvement consisted mainly of an acneiform eruption, pellagra-like dyssebacea, crusted eczematous lesions and dry scaling of the distal parts of the extremities. Alopecia was not evident initially but later became apparent. The patients also had gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms and signs.

Skin tuberculosis as seen at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital.

The experience with cutaneous tuberculosis at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital is reviewed. A total of 92 cases of skin tuberculosis was seen over the past 12 years. All recognized forms of cutaneous tuberculosis were encountered, plus some forms which were difficult to classify. Lupus vulgaris was the most common true infection and papulonecrotic tuberculid the most common tuberculid. The classification and pathogenetic mechanisms are briefly discussed.

Malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos' disease)--diffuse involvement of brain and bowel in an African patient.

We report pathognomonic skin lesions of malignant atrophic papulosis, accompanied by lethal central nervous system and gastrointestinal disease in a 22-year-old black man. Histopathological studies of the brain and colon showed areas of infarction and an underlying vasculitis with leukocytoclasis.

Smodingium dermatitis.

Smodingium argutum is the plant most commonly responsible for causing acute allergic contact dermatitis in South Africa. When an outbreak of Smodingium dermatitis occurred in a local school the allergenic principle present in this plant was chemically isolated and identified, and its allergenic property proved in the clinic by patch testing. The value of using an extract of fresh Smodingium leaves in lieu of fresh leaves themselves was confirmed, but freeze-dried material was found to be unsuitable for patch-test purposes.

Keratolytic winter erythema or 'oudtshoorn skin': a newly recognized inherited dermatosis prevalent in South Africa.

A hitherto undescribed inherited dermatosis, traceable to certain 19th-century inhabitants of Oudtshoorn, CP, has been transmitted as an autosomal dominant to a large number of their present-day descendants. The disease consists of intermittent and recurrent centrifugal peeling, with redness, of the palms and soles in particular. In more severe cases similar patches are found extending up the limbs to the buttocks and the trunk generally. The inconvenience is usually moderate, but it may be incapacitating. Some temporary relief, but so far nothing permanent, can be offered through treatment.