Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma--is it a new variant?

Anaplastic large cell cutaneous lymphomas are clinically and pathologically heterogeneous, CD30 + (Ki-1) lymphoproliferative disorders. The importance of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positivity is well known in the prognosis of primary systemic anaplastic large cell cutaneous lymphomas; however, the same in primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell cutaneous lymphomas is not much clear. Herein we report a 65-year-old male with an 18-month history of minimally pruritic localized nodulo-plaque lesion over lower back.

Spectrum of pediatric dermatological emergencies at a tertiary care hospital in India: a descriptive study.

Background: Dermatological emergencies in children are not uncommon. Worldwide, limited studies have been done to study the spectrum of such emergencies. The aim of our study was to analyze the spectrum of dermatological emergencies in the pediatric age group.

Clinicopathologic profile of hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in India.

Background: Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (HMF) is an under recognized disease in India, which is often mistaken for Hansen disease or vitiligo, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Aim: To describe the clinical, histopathologic and immunohistochemical features of HMF in Indian patients.

Materials And Methods: All cases presenting as hypopigmented lesions that were signed out as MF between 2001 and 2009 (15 cases) were included.

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans in a female.

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD), is a rare follicular syndrome associated with widespread keratosis pilaris and progressive scarring alopecia. This genodermatoses often starts at infancy or early childhood with an X-linked mode of inheritance. Males are predominantly affected and females frequently show no disease or only a mild form.

Paraneoplastic multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: a clinicopathologic challenge.

Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare, systemic non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis (non-LCH) with prominent joint and skin manifestations. It is mostly self limiting. However, 15-30% of the cases are associated with malignancy and carry a poor prognosis.

Berardinelli-Seip syndrome in a 6-year-old boy.

A 6-year-old boy presented with abnormal habitus since birth, delayed language development, history of frequent falls since 9 months, and fever since 1 week. He was found to have hyperandrogenic features, generalized paucity of fat, generalized muscular overdevelopment, and brownish pigmentation over the flexural creases. Skin biopsy demonstrated features suggestive of acanthosis nigricans with an absence of subcutaneous tissue.

Familial dyskeratotic comedones.

Familial dyskeratotic comedones (FDC) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited condition, characterized by widespread, symmetrically scattered, comedone-like, hyperkeratotic papules, which are cosmetically unappealing. These lesions appear around puberty and show a predilection to involve the trunk, arms and face. The lesions are asymptomatic and gradually worsen with time.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of trichofolliculoma: a case report.

The cytomorphology of skin adnexal tumours has not been described extensively in literature. We report the first case of trichofolliculoma, a hair follicle hamartoma, which was subsequently diagnosed by excision biopsy. A 19 year old woman presented with a nodule on the dorsal aspect of the finger which was clinically suspected to be a myxoid cyst.

Erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli: relationship with keratosis pilaris.

Erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli (EFF) is an unusual condition characterized by the triad of hyperpigmentation, follicular plugging and erythema of face and neck. This is less common in women and familial case reports are few. We report EFF in three siblings in an Indian family, two of whom are females.

Eczema herpeticum in two elderly patients.

Two elderly patients with eczema herpeticum are being reported. The First patient did not respond to the conventional dose of acyclovir. The second case was seen in a patient with air borne contact dermatitis.

Role of direct immunofluorescence on Tzanck smears in pemphigus vulgaris.

The Tzanck smear is a simple, sensitive, and rapid test to diagnose pemphigus vulgaris (PV), a life threatening autoimmune blistering disorder. The presence of acantholytic cells in cytology is indicative of but not specific for PV. Hence, a direct Immunofluorescence (DIF) test to demonstrate immunoglobulin deposits on the acantholytic cells would make the Tzanck test more specific, in addition to being a rapid test.

Hidradenitis suppurativa treated with finasteride.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a distressing condition for which no satisfactory treatment is available. Studies on hormonal mechanisms responsible for HS point towards altered end-organ sensitivity, probably related to the enzyme 5a reductase that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Finasteride, an inhibitor of type II 5a reductase, has been reported to be effective in recalcitrant HS.

FNA diagnosis of primary adult onset lymphocutaneous Langerhans' cell histiocytosis masquerading as deep fungal mycosis.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) in its aggressive disseminated form seen most often in children is easily diagnosed by the treating physician. On the contrary, LCH in an adult is localized, extremely rare, and, hence, its diagnosis is missed quite often or underdiagnosed. We describe the troubleshooters encountered in the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis of LCH in an adult who presented for 4 years with ulceronodular lesions over the neck, both axillae, and inguinal regions since 4 years of age, which had closely mimicked deep mycosis both clinically and histopathologically.

Pinch skin grafting in non-healing leprous ulcers.

Treatment of leprous ulcers has remained inadequate, owing to the fact that most of these ulcers are still being managed conservatively especially in developing nations, probably due to financial constraints. Pinch skin grafting, though obsolete now (2), tries to bridge this gap between cost and effectiveness. It is a simple office-based technique, not requiring much expertise or investment, and can be done in a simple set-up such as a side room (3).

Cutaneous vasculitis--a dynamic process posing diagnostic challenge.

Aim: To characterize the clinicopathologic features and to assess the therapeutic outcome in cutaneous vasculitis.

Material And Methods: Fifty biopsy proven cases of cutaneous vasculitis seen between January 1998 and July 1999 were studied.

Results: The commonest presentation was palpable purpura.

Cutaneous sporotrichosis in Bangalore, southern India.

Background: Sporotrichosis is a granulomatous infection caused by Sporothrix schenkii. Although world-wide in distribution, only four cases have been reported from southern India to date.

Methods: The medical records of all cases seen at the Department of Dermatology at St John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, over the last 15 years were reviewed.

Malignant pheochromocytoma with cutaneous metastases presenting with hemolytic anemia and pyrexia of unknown origin.

We describe a 43 year old female who presented with pyrexia of unknown origin associated with Coomb's negative hemolytic anemia and impaired liver function tests of six months duration. A routine abdominal computerised tomographic scan showed a mass in the left adrenal which was excised at laparotomy and histologically diagnosed as pheochromocytoma. The hemolysis continued to worsen with development of resistance to steroid therapy.

A double - blind randomised multicentre controlled study of topical 0.05% clobetasol propionate with 2.5% zinc sulphate preparation.

The aim of this study was to compre the efficacy and safety of topical clobetasol propionate and clobetasol propionate with zinc sulphate cream preparation. Steroid responsive dermatoses were primarily considered in both the treatment groups. From thc analysis of 291 patients, from five different centres, it wasnoted that though the out come was Positive in both the trial groups significant differences existed in the treatment group which received clobetasol propionate with zinc sulphate preparation.

Cytodiagnosis of primary neuritic leprosy.

The diagnosis of primary neuritic leprosy (PNL) and its differentiation from other causes of peripheral neuropathy is difficult since acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smears and skin biopsy are negative from anesthetic areas. A biopsy of the involved nerve is the only conclusive method of diagnosis. Such a biopsy may not necessarily be free of complications when a large nerve is involved.

Cutaneous eruptions in Indian tick typhus.

Although frequently unrecognized, rickettsial infections may be an important cause for fever and exanthem in persons presenting to physicians in South India. Most often these patients are referred to dermatology departments with a diagnosis of "drug eruption." In the current study the authors analyzed 12 cases of rickettsial fever that were seen in the dermatology department of St.