Trichodysplasia spinulosa in the setting of colon cancer.

Trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS) is a rare skin condition seen in immunosuppressed patients that is characterized by folliculocentric papules with central spiny spicules mainly on the face. We report the case of an 82-year-old woman with a history of treated non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a recent diagnosis of stage IV colon cancer. She presented with clinical and histopathologic findings consistent with TS occurring prior to starting immunosuppressive therapy for colon cancer.

Evidence behind the use of molecular tests in melanocytic lesions and practice patterns of these tests by dermatopathologists.

Background: The gold standard for the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions is histologic examination. However, as histologic examination can have its limitations, there are many clinical scenarios in which additional testing may be appropriate in an attempt to render a definitive diagnosis.

Methods: A literature review for three ancillary tests-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH)/single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and gene expression profiling by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)-was compiled and current use patterns were tabulated.

Heavily Pigmented Epithelioid Melanoma With Loss of Protein Kinase A Regulatory Subunit-α Expression.

Heavily pigmented melanocytic neoplasms are genotypically and phenotypically diverse. Recently, a subset of this histopathologic spectrum was shown to harbor recurrent genetic alterations in the gene-encoding protein kinase A regulatory subunit-α (PRKAR1A). To date, no histopathologic descriptions of melanomas arising from this pathway have been described.

Appropriate use criteria in dermatopathology: Initial recommendations from the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Background: Appropriate use criteria (AUC) provide physicians guidance in test selection, and can affect health care delivery, reimbursement policy, and physician decision-making.

Objectives: The American Society of Dermatopathology, with input from the American Academy of Dermatology and the College of American Pathologists, sought to develop AUC in dermatopathology.

Methods: The RAND/UCLA appropriateness methodology, which combines evidence-based medicine, clinical experience, and expert judgment, was used to develop AUC in dermatopathology.

Appropriate use criteria in dermatopathology: Initial recommendations from the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Background: Appropriate use criteria (AUC) provide physicians guidance in test selection, and can affect health care delivery, reimbursement policy and physician decision-making.

Objectives: The American Society of Dermatopathology, with input from the American Academy of Dermatology and the College of American Pathologists, sought to develop AUC in dermatopathology.

Methods: The RAND/UCLA appropriateness methodology, which combines evidence-based medicine, clinical experience and expert judgment, was used to develop AUC in dermatopathology.

Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck in a boy.

Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck is a rarely encountered entity that requires surgical excision. In this case report, we describe a 12-year-old boy with asymptomatic congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck. We also discuss the associated congenital malformations that dermatologists must be aware of when caring for patients with this disease.

Atypical presentations of terra firma-forme dermatosis.

Terra firma-forme dermatosis is a benign dermatologic condition that presents as dirt-colored patches and plaques, mainly affecting children and adolescents. It is resistant to conventional washing with soap and water but is easily treated with isopropyl alcohol. Clinical awareness of this condition provides a quick, simple resolution.

Management of monophasic synovial sarcoma of the small intestine.

Background: Reports of primary intraabdominal synovial sarcomas are extremely rare.

Methods: A literature review using PubMed was performed. A retrospective review of the one known case at our institution was completed.

Resection of a large, ruptured, undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver in a child: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma (UES) of the liver is a malignant hepatic neoplasm accounting for 7% of pediatric hepatic tumors. Current use of multimodal therapy, including chemotherapy and surgery, has greatly improved survival. Tumor rupture is uncommon and, prior to the adjuvant use of sarcoma based chemotherapy regimens, was thought to be poor prognostic sign.