A study of autologous melanocyte transfer in treatment of stable vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Replenishing melanocytes selectively in vitiliginous macules by autologous melanocytes is a promising treatment. With expertise in culturing melanocytes, it has now become possible to treat larger recipient areas with smaller skin samples. AIM: To study the extent of repigmentation after autologous melanocyte transplantation in patients with stable vitiligo. METHODS: The melanocytes were harvested as an autologous melanocyte rich cell suspension from a donor split thickness graft. Melanocyte culture was performed in selected cases where the melanocyte cell count was insufficient to meet the requirement of the recipient area. These cells were then transplanted to the recipient area that had been superficially dermabraded. RESULTS: An excellent response was seen in 52.17% cases with the autologous melanocyte rich cell suspension (AMRCS) technique and in 50% with the melanocyte culture (MC) technique. CONCLUSION: Autologous melanocyte transplantation can be an effective form of surgical treatment in stable but recalcitrant lesions of vitiligo.

Topical lincomycin gel in acne vulgaris: a multicentric placebo controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Acne vulgaris is commonly treated with topical antibacterials. We evaluated lincomycin gel, a new topical formulation for mild to moderate acne. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentric, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial was conducted with lincomycin hydrochloride in 2% gel form in 200 patients with grade II and grade III acne. The severity of acne lesions was noted at baseline and after 4 weeks. RESULTS: About 70% cases in the study group showed a good to excellent response, which was significantly more as compared to 23% in the placebo group. The frequency and severity of adverse reactions in the two groups were similar. CONCLUSION: Lincomycin hydrochloride gel is an effective and safe treatment option for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

Post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis.

A 26 - year - old Muslim male patient of Bihar presented with multiple asymptomatic hypopigmented macules and nodules mainly over back, abdomen, extremities and scrotum. Clinical examination revealed hypopigmented macules on back, abdomen, extremities with nodular lesions on the scrotum. Common warts were present on dorsa of hands. Skin biopsy was helpful in diagnosis.

Granuloma faciale.

A 40-year old woman presented with asymptomatic erythematous well-demarcated, infiltrated plaque of 8 cm x 7 cm in size on the right cheek for past four years. Histopathological study of skin biopsy revealed features of granuloma faciale. Oral dapsone and intralesional corticosteroid caused marked improvement.

Papillon lefevre syndrome.

A 38-year-old Hindu female patient presented with palmoplantar keratoderma with premature fall of deciduous teeth. Clinical examination revealed diffuse hyperkeratosis of palms and soles. Upper incisor teeth were widely spaced and conical, while lower incisors were missing. X-ray was helpful in diagnosis.

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis.

Three cases of primary cutaneous amyloidosis are reported. Family history was negative. Systemic involvement was ruled out. Histopathology was confirmed by congored stain. Patients responded to oral colchicine.

Unusual presentation of T-cell lymphoma.

A 56-year old woman developed multiple papules, plaques and erythema - multiforme (EM) like lesions on palms, soles, abdomen, back, axillary and gluteal folds of one month duration. She also had erythematous plaques, painful necrotising ulcers and oro-genital ulcerations. Skin biopsy was suggestive of plaque stage of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Lipoid proteinosis.

A 20-year old male presented with hoarseness of voice since birth, beaded papular lesions on both eyelids, multiple hypopigmented atrophic scars on trunk and extremities and yellowish infiltrated plaques on tongue, palate and buccal mucosae. Patient was diagnosed clinically as a case of lipoid proteinosis. It was confirmed by mucosal biopsy.

Monilethrix in pedigree.

A 30-year-old female patient presented with tiny papular scalp lesions with sparse, very short, curly hair of only 8 to 12 mm. Microscopic examination of hair revealed typical beaded or moniliform appearance. She also had typical lesions of psoriasis for past 2 months. Her father, 2 sisters and her 6-year-old daughter had similar types of beaded scalp hair.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

A case of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in a 19 years old male involving cutaneous and skeletal systems is reported. A clinical scoring system to diagnose such cases is highlighted.

A comparative study of loratadine versus pheniramine maleate in chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Fifty cases with chronic idiopathic urticaria of more than 3 months duration were selected and divided into two groups. Group 'A' was given 10 mg loratadine once daily, while group 'B' was given pheniramine maleate 25 mg, twice daily for one month. All patients were followed for one month more. 48% excellent response was observed in group 'A' while 16% excellent response was observed in group 'B'. Good response was observed in 24% of patients in group 'A', while in group 'B' 16% of patients had good response. No side effects were observed in loratadine group, while drowsiness was observed in pheniramine group.