Superficial granulomatous pyoderma treated preoperatively with infliximab.

We report a case of superficial granulomatous pyoderma (SGP) treated successfully with infliximab. A 71-year-old woman developed erythema, erosions and cribriform scarring in the right periorbital area following enucleation of the right eye. Histology showed three-layered granulomas typical of SGP. The patient's disease was unusual in that it failed to respond to a wide variety of immunosuppressants and this condition is rarely reported to affect the face. Eventually she was treated successfully with infliximab, enabling her to undergo extensive surgery despite the fact that her disease was pathergic in onset.

Screening for malignant melanoma using instant photography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of instant photography, in addition to clinical grading, as a method of screening for malignant melanoma during routine health examinations. SETTING: A health screening clinic with an average throughput of about 12,000 patients a year. METHODS: Suspicious pigmented skin lesions were judged clinically using the revised seven point checklist scoring system. They were then photographed with a Polaroid camera and the prints were graded independently by two consultant dermatologists with a special interest in malignant melanoma. A copy of the print was also given to the patient to keep for observation of any change in the lesion. RESULTS: Over a 45 month period 39,922 patients of both sexes were screened and 1052 skin lesions were clinically assessed and photographed. Fourteen malignant melanomas were diagnosed--all, except one, were thin lesions with a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical opinions of non-dermatologists using the revised seven point checklist proved disappointing in screening because of the large number of benign lesions that were given high scores. Photography, on the other hand, detected 11 melanomas and succeeded in separating the majority of banal lesions from potentially malignant ones, thus greatly reducing the need for specialist referral. Nevertheless, three melanomas were missed on purely photographic grading, which emphasises the danger of placing too much reliance solely on a two dimensional image. Finally, the possession of a personal copy of the photograph by the patient proved popular and led to a diagnosis of melanoma in two instances. This procedure merits further study.

Accuracy in clinically evaluating pigmented lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of three doctors experienced in managing melanocytic lesions to diagnose correctly melanoma, dysplastic naevi, and various benign pigmented lesions. DESIGN: Independent clinical evaluation and histopathological assessment. SETTING: Pigmented lesion clinic, which patients attend without an appointment for early diagnosis of melanoma. PATIENTS: 86 Patients with lesions that were judged to be benign by at least one of the three doctors. INTERVENTIONS: The lesions were excised under local anaesthesia and sent for histopathological examination in coded bottles without clinical details. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Comparison of clinical with histopathological diagnosis for each lesion. RESULTS: A total of 120 lesions were evaluated by at least two of the three doctors. The histopathological diagnoses were made by the same pathologist. The overall sensitivity (diagnostic accuracy) for the three doctors for all types of lesion was 50%. Of the 39 dysplastic naevi, only 19 were identified correctly by all observers, and a further 24 banal lesions were wrongly diagnosed as dysplastic by at least one doctor. Particular difficulty was experienced with small (less than 5 mm), flat lesions, which can be banal or potentially malignant. CONCLUSIONS: Critical diagnosis and management decisions concerning pigmented lesions should always be based on a combination of clinical and histopathological assessments and the history of the patient.

Porokeratosis in association with lymphoedema.

We describe four patients in whom porokeratosis coexisted with lympoedema of the legs. A possible pathogenetic link between the two disorders is discussed, as well as the therapeutic implications and the novel physical sign of lymphoedema bulging through the porokeratotic lesions.

Vitiligo in association with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Autoimmune disorders such as vitiligo have been previously reported in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We describe a case of vitiligo in association with HIV where a rising CD4 lymphocyte count due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) closely correlated with changes in the skin. This effect, to our knowledge, has not been previously observed.

Linear IgA dermatosis with severe arthralgia.

Two patients aged 8 and 34 years, with linear IgA dermatosis and systemic symptoms are described. Both presented with fever and sore throat 5 to 10 days before the onset of their rash and both developed severe arthralgia accompanying the skin eruption. The joint pains resolved when the skin eruption was treated.

Egg and cows' milk hypersensitivity in exclusively breast fed infants with eczema, and detection of egg protein in breast milk.

Forty nine eczematous infants who were still solely and exclusively breast fed and who had never received anything but breast milk were studied for evidence of sensitisation to foods. Thirty four similar infants without eczema formed a control group. The eczematous infants were divided into three groups according to clinical criteria: (1) definite atopic eczema; (2) possible atopic eczema; (3) atopic eczema unlikely. Twenty three infants showed cutaneous hypersensitivity to foods, usually egg and cows' milk. Seven of 14 infants in group 1 and nine of 20 in group 2 were sensitised compared with four of 15 in group 3 and three of 34 controls (p less than 0.01). Ovalbumin was detected in breast milk from 14 of 19 mothers tested after ingestion of egg, the concentrations being the same for mothers feeding eczematous and normal infants. Breast fed babies developing eczema may be sensitised by foods eaten by their mothers.

Comedo naevus of the palm--a sweat duct naevus?

A 9-year-old boy is described with keratotic pits on the left palm, present since birth, which clinically resembled those seen in comedo naevus. Histology and scanning electron microscopy of skin surface replicas showed the lesions to be large, abnormal sweat ducts. It is suggested that comedo naevi are not necessarily pilosebaceous in origin and that in our case the term sweat duct naevus may be more appropriate.

Autoimmune blistering diseases associated with HIV infection.

Two cases of autoimmune bullous skin diseases in HIV-positive men are described. One man had bullous pemphigoid limited to his legs and the second man developed pemphigus herpetiformis. The possible association between autoimmune bullous diseases and HIV infection is discussed.

Axillary acne agminata (lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei).

Acne agminata is a papulo-pustular eruption typically affecting the face of young adults and characterized histologically by the presence of caseating granulomata in the dermis. We now describe two adults who developed the condition in the axillae.