Amplified surface microscopy. Preliminary evaluation of a 400-fold magnification in the surface microscopy of cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

Background: Surface microscopy (SM) opened a new dimension in the clinical assessment of cutaneous pigmented lesions. Diagnostic patterns were described to provide guidelines for the preoperative diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions.

Objective: Our purpose was to explore whether "amplified" surface microscopy (ASM), by increasing magnification up to 400-fold, provides any improvement in the analysis of patterns previously described in cutaneous pigmented lesions.

[Bacillary angiomatosis. A pseudoneoplastic infection in AIDS patients].

Bacillary angiomatosis is a newly recognized pseudoneoplastic vascular disease seen in the setting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The disease is characterized by a cutaneous infection with reddish papules or nodules that are similar to pyogenic granulomas or Kaposi's sarcoma in clinical appearance. It is caused by the mildly gram-negative bacillus Rochalimaea henselae, which can be identified in tissue sections by means of Warthin-Starry stain.

[Controversial aspects of stage I skin melanomas].

Melanoma is still the most frequent cause of death for diseases arising in the skin. The mortality rate is approximately 25%, tumor thickness, sex and localization being the most important prognostic factors. It is still unclear whether the margin of excision, type of anaesthesia and the pattern of follow-up should be taken into consideration in relation to the individual prognostic groups.