Intravascular Lymphoma: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare type of extranodal large B-cell lymphoma that selectively affects small and medium-sized bloodvessels in the absence oflymph-adenopathy. The central nervous system (CNS) and skin are the organs most commonly affected. We describe the case of a 64-year-old male who presented to the emergency department (ED) complaining of asthenia and bilateral lower extremity edema that progressed rapidly to anasarca. On presentation, laboratory results were significant for elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. A skin biopsywas performed, which revealed occlusion of blood vessels by atypical immunophenotype B lymphoid cells within the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The immuno-histochemistry was consistent with IVLB CL. IVLBCL is an aggressive and rapidly fatal neoplasia with varied and nonspecific clinical manifestations, hence, a diagnostic challenge. This case shows an unusual presentation with asthenia and rapidly progressive edema.

Familial benign pemphigus atypical localization.

We present an atypical case of familial benign pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey disease), which presented as crusted, annular plaques limited to the back without intertriginous involvement. We could not find in the literature another patient with plaques located solely on the back without a prior history of classical disease.

[Response to thalidomide in scleromyxedema]. / Respuesta a la talidomida en escleromixedema.

The scleromyxedema is a rare condition characterized by hyperproliferation of fibroblasts with increased dermal deposition of mucin and frequently associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Various treatments have been reported, with inconsistent results. In addition, the rarity of the disease and the lack of randomized controlled trials results in treatment options derived from anecdotal reports. We describe the case of a 52 year-old female patient diagnosed with scleromyxedema who developed a monoclonal gammopathy, with adequate response to thalidomide. The follow up of these patients is important due to the risk of progression to multiple myeloma and complications related to systemic treatments.

[Cutaneous melanoma associated with previous nevus]. / Melanoma cutáneo asociado a nevo previo.

The malignant melanoma is a neoplasia originated from the melanocytes located in the skin and other locations. Even though there is not information regarding its incidence and prevalence in our country, its most important risk factors are known. The melanoma can originate de novo or from previous melanocytic lesions. The concept that a melanocytic nevus can serve as a precursor lesion is supported by clinical and histological evidence. An observational, retrospective and analytical study was carried out in the Hospital Privado de Córdoba. The objective was to determine which is the frequency of association of malignant melanomas that develop on previous nevus. A total of 134 melanomas were analyzed. In 32 cases (24%), the melanomas were histologically associated with nevus, in individuals with Breslow's depth bigger than 1 mm the percentage of association was 16.3% while in those exhibiting Breslow smaller than 1 mm the percentage of association was 38.1%. Having evaluated the melanomas in relation to the Breslow and Clark classification, we observed that the nevus associated melanoma group showed less Breslow thickness and low Clark levels, which, by statistical analysis were shown to be significant predictors of the probabilty of finding this association (p < 0.027). This study demonstrates that the tumor thickness by itself is an independent predictive factor of the association melanoma-nevus. However, the rest of the variables studied did not throw significant results from the statistical point of view. In conclusion, patients must be educated for the control of new pigmented injuries as well as for the modification of preexisting nevi.

[Leukaemia cutis: clinical manifestation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia relapse]. / Leucemia cutis: expresión clínica de recaída de leucemia linfocítica crónica.

We present a 71 year old male patient with previous records of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia who presented with a tumoral skin lesion. Histological and immunohistochemical studies confirmed the Leukaemia Cutis diagnosis. The patient underwent treatment with clorambucile and systemic steroids with remision of both haemathological and skin manifestation. The patient is still under close clinical follow up and remission continues eight months so far.

[Cytomegalovirus cellulitis]. / Celulitis por citomegalovirus.

Cutaneous lesions in CMV infection are rare, often a late manifestation of systemic infection, and usually herald a fatal course. A 70 year-old woman received a kidney transplantation one month before consulting and immunosuppressive therapy that included cyclosporine A and methylprednisone. She complained of fever, local pain in her right leg, and an erythematous and swelling plaque. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics without improvement. A skin biopsy was performed and the tissue obtained was sent for bacterial and fungal cultures as well as for histological examination. Cultures were negative. The biopsy showed CMV cytopathic changes. Immunoperoxidase staining was positive for CMV and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing revealed CMV DNA. She was treated with ganciclovir with resolution of the lesion. CMV cellulitis is a rare cutaneous manifestation which has not been previously reported.

[Risk factors for cutaneous melanoma: case-control study in Córdoba, Argentina]. / Factores de riesgo para melanoma cutáneo. Estudio de casos y controles en Córdoba, Argentina.

Over the past years, considerable effort has been directed toward the identification of risk factors associated with the increasing incidence of cutaneous melanoma in white populations worldwide. Limited data are available from Argentine populations concerning risk factors for malignant melanoma. A case-control study was performed in Cordoba to estimate the risk factors for cutaneous malignant melanoma. The study group comprised 65 patients and 195 controls, matched by age and sex. The following risk factors were significant in the univariate analysis: European grandparents, blonde and brown hair, fair skin tone, light colored and brown eyes, presence of freckles and melanocytic nevi, severe sunburns before the age of 18 years, recreational sun exposure, family history of malignant melanoma. In the multivariate analysis, European grandparents (OR 2.27, IC95% 1.08 to 3.46), fair skin (OR 4.99, IC95% 2.72 to 7.28), severe sunburns before the age of 18 (OR 6.47, IC95% 5.29 to 7.65), and family history of malignant melanoma (OR 1525, IC95% 1467 to 1584), remain as independent risk factors for malignant melanoma. The results of the current study are similar to those obtained in other populations.

[Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma of the nasal type]. / Linfoma de celulas NK/T Extranodal tipo nasal.

The vast majority of lymphoma occurring in the testis are diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma. We report on a case of natural killer/T cell lymphoma in a forty four year old male, with bilateral testicular and cutaneous involvement with a highly aggressive course. The tumor cells were positive for both CD56 and Epstein Barr Virus, encoded EBER molecules, and showed focal angiocentric growth thus fullfilling the criteria for NK/T cell lymphoma of nasal type. Dermatopathologists and uropathologists should be aware of this rare entity which may only be diagnosed after extensive inmunohistochemical studies.