Dermatoscopy of Granulomatous Disorders.

Although diagnosis of cutaneous granulomatous disorders (CGDs) is usually suspected based on morphologic findings, localization, and anamnestic data, clinical differentiation from each other and from similar dermatoses may be challenging. Recently, dermatoscopy has been demonstrated to be a useful tool for assisting the recognition of several CGDs. This article provides a current overview of the dermatoscopic features of the main noninfectious and infectious CGDs, including sarcoidosis, necrobiosis lipoidica, granuloma annulare, rheumatoid nodules, and leishmaniasis. Other, less common, CGDs are briefly addressed, including granulomatous rosacea, acne agminata, and leprosy.

Lupus mastitis.

We report a case of a 28-year-old female with the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) referred to our breast pathology consultancy in 2002 due to a left breast nodule. Further investigation revealed bilateral coarse calcifications. Biopsy was consistent with a diagnosis of lupus mastitis.

Cerebral ultrasound findings in neonatal lupus syndrome.

A prospective study was performed enrolling 11 newborns with neonatal lupus syndrome (NLS) and 22 control newborns to investigate cerebral ultrasound (US) anomalies and their relationship with clinical neurological signs and laboratory findings. Cerebral US detected a significantly higher incidence in the study group of both subependymal pseudocysts (SEPC) and subependymal hemorrhage (SEH), neither of which correlated to autoantibody levels. All infants had completely normal neurological examinations both at birth and follow-up. The etiopathogenesis of central nervous system findings in NLS is discussed. US evaluation identified minimal anomalies compatible with favorable outcome: further studies are necessary to investigate the possible long-term sequelae, pathogenesis and spectrum of cerebral US findings.

[Imaging diagnosis of lupus enteritis--especially about sonographic findings].

We evaluated 4 cases of lupus enteritis by US, abdominal X-ray and CT. On US examinations, in particular, we observed ascites and edematous thickening of the small intestine where Kerckring folds with submucosal edema resembled an accordion. After steroid treatment and consequent improvement of the disease, we noticed disappearance of the intestinal thickening and ascites on US examination, compatible with the diagnosis of lupus enteritis. Based on these results, US was useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of lupus enteritis.