Cutaneous reaction to vasopressin.

Vasopressin (Pitressin, 8-arginine vasopressin) is a potent vasoconstrictor of splanchnic arterioles. When administered by continuous intravenous infusion, it reduces portal blood flow and pressure and is used in the management of bleeding esophageal varices. We describe a purpuric and necrotic cutaneous reaction to vasopressin that occurred at locations distant from intravenous catheter sites, and we review previous reports of similar reactions.

Cutaneous reactions to vitamin K1 injections.

Cutaneous reactions to vitamin K1 injections are reported infrequently. Most previously reported cases have been associated with liver disease, primarily alcoholic cirrhosis and viral hepatitis. Four new cases are reported.

Abnormalities of connective tissue components in lesional and non-lesional tissue of patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a disorder of connective tissue in which abnormalities of elastic tissue and collagen are found. The purpose of this study was to examine the ultrastructure and distribution of connective tissue components in lesional and non-lesional skin of patients by means of indirect immunofluorescence, electron microscopy and indirect immunoelectron microscopy. Prominent abnormalities of elastic tissue were seen on electron microscopy and confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy.

Identification of collagen fibrils in scleroderma skin.

Skin from early and late stages of scleroderma has been shown to contain large amounts of thin (30-40 nm diameter) collagen fibrils that may be present in bundles or intermingled with large diameter fibrils (90-120 nm). The nature of these fibrils is unknown. Skin biopsies were obtained from involved areas of nine patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), one case of generalized morphea, one case of morphea, and six normal controls.