Multifocal Tuberculosis Verrucosa Cutis: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is still a major public health problem worldwide. Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (TBVC) is a cutaneous form of exogenous TB caused by exogenous reinfection in previously sensitized individuals. TBVC typically presents as a unifocal condition. Multifocal cutaneous lesions without any other tubercular foci are extremely rare in exogenous TB and few cases are reported in the literature. We describe the first case of multifocal TBVC in an 81-year-old Greek man. In total, 14 cases of multifocal TBVC have been reported in the literature (8 males and 6 females), with mean age 47.64 years (SD = 20.75) and mean time to diagnosis of 9.69 years (SD = 15.31). Most cases (11/12) responded rapidly to treatment, implying the accuracy of diagnosis, while no one was reported to be immunocompromised. Finally, in 10 cases (71.4%), history of skin microtrauma was reported (related either to daily life habits or to professional praxis), confirming it as the main risk factor. The tuberculin skin test was positive in 10 cases and tissue culture for mycobacteria was negative in all cases. TBVC can present with multiple lesions, even in countries where TB prevalence is not high, especially in patients with history of skin abrasions. Prompt specialist assessment can expedite the establishment of diagnosis.

Myxoma of the small intestine complicated by ileo-ileal intussusception: Report of an extremely rare case.

INTRODUCTION: Myxomas of the small intestine are extremely rare types of primary bowel neoplasms. Their presence can trigger intestinal intussusception in the adults. We present the eighth case of intestinal myxoma reported in the English literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Our patient is a 44-year-old Caucasian female who presented with clinical and imaging findings of intestinal intussusception. Laparotomy revealed ileo-ileal intussusception caused by an intramural mass of the middle-ileum which was resected. Histological and immunohistochemical studies pointed to the diagnosis of benign intestinal myxoma, while imaging studies of the heart excluded a synchronous cardiac myxoma. Twenty months after surgery she remains disease-free. DISCUSSION: The myxoma is a benign, true neoplasm which resembles primitive mesenchyme. It occurs predominantly in the heart and is also found in several soft tissues and bones. Myxomas seem to grow at different rates of speed, they infiltrate adjacent structures and they do not metastasize, apart from cardiac variants. Intestinal myxomas share some clinical characteristics which are emphasized. CONCLUSION: Myxomas of the small intestine should be included in the differential diagnosis of ileal tumors in middle-aged women manifesting as intestinal intussusception. Treatment should include wide resection of the affected intestinal segment with primary anastomosis. A close follow-up control of the patients along with cardiac imaging evaluation is recommended postoperatively, in order to detect and treat any possible recurrence of the tumor or a synchronous cardiac myxoma.