Cutaneous Manifestations and Their Corresponding Dermoscopic Features in Patients with Dermatomyositis.

Introduction: Dermoscopy is a noninvasive and easy to apply technique that allows in vivo magnification of the skin and thus observation of morphologic structures invisible to the naked eye. Recently, it gained popularity for evaluation of inflammatory skin conditions. In the field of connective tissue diseases, dermoscopy has been used mainly as a simple and accessible substitute of nailfold capillaroscopy.

Paraneoplastic Dermatomyositis in a Patient with Metastatic Gastric Carcinoma.

Dear Editor, Paraneoplastic dermatomyositis is a distinct clinical variant of dermatomyositis (DM) in which the typical cutaneous features and muscle weakness appear before, simultaneously, or after the diagnosis of an internal malignancy. It occurs in approximately one-third of patients with DM, predominantly adults, after the age of 40 (1). Different neoplasms have been described in association with DM, the most common of which are lung, breast, ovarian, gastrointestinal, prostate, and bladder cancers.

Rowell's Syndrome Triggered by Omeprazole.

Dear Editor, Rowell's syndrome is a rare disease, characterized by the appearance of erythema multiforme (EM)-like lesions in patients with lupus erythematosus. It was initially reported by Rowell (1) in 1963 and its existence as a separate clinical entity is currently under debate (2,3). A few cases may have been induced by drugs such as systemic antimycotics, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and more recently proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Intravenous immunoglobulins for treatment of connective tissue diseases in dermatology.

Background: Connective tissue diseases are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune disorders affecting not only skin, but also various organs and systems. First-line treatment of connective tissue diseases is systemic steroids as monotherapy or combined with immunosuppressive drugs. Since intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) have been found to be effective for various autoimmune dermatoses, their indications have expanded tremendously.

Intravenous Immunoglobulins: Mode of Action and Indications in Autoimmune and Inflammatory Dermatoses.

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs), a mixture of variable amounts of proteins (albumin, IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE antibodies), as well as salt, sugar, solvents, and detergents, are successfully used to treat a variety of dermatological disorders. For decades, IVIGs have been administered for treatment of infectious diseases and immune deficiencies, since they contain natural antibodies that represent a first-line defense against pathogens. Today their indication has expanded, including the off-label therapy for a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Polyamine metabolism changes in psoriasis.

Introduction: Polyamines - putrescine, spermidine and spermine are polycationic compounds ubiquitous for all living organisms. They are essential for the cell growth and differentiation, the control of cell cycle progress, apoptosis, and cancerogenesis. Accumulated scientific evidence suggests the central role of polyamines in the process of keratinocytic proliferation, differentiation, and regulation.

Comparative analysis of polyamine metabolism in benign and neoplastic keratinocytic proliferations.

Introduction: Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are polycationic compounds that play a central role in keratinocytic proliferation, differentiation, and regulation. The objective was to elucidate the polyamine metabolic changes that occur in various benign and neoplastic skin proliferations.

Methods: The study included 58 patients: 31 with the plaque form of psoriasis vulgaris and 27 with non-melanoma skin tumors.

Childhood acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by oral ketoconazole.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is a rare disorder characterized by an acute onset of generalized, nonfollicular, pustular eruption associated with fever. It is usually drug-induced and is uncommon in children. We report a 12-year-old girl with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by oral ketoconazole.

Verrucous systemic lupus erythematosus.

Few patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have features of verrucous (hypertrophic) lupus erythematosus. A 29-year-old Caucasian woman with a 7-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus developed painful verrucous plaques on the nose. Erythematous, raised, indurated, hyperkeratotic plaques localized on the dorsa of the distal parts of the toes and over the interphalangeal joints of her fingers were also noted.

Lower lip squamous cell carcinoma in disabling pansclerotic morphea of childhood.

Disabling pansclerotic morphea of childhood (DPMC) is an aggressive form of cutaneous scleroderma that involves all layers of the skin, extending through the dermis and subcutaneous tissues to involve muscle, tendon, and even bone. As DPMC is extremely rare, its association with skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is rarer still. To our knowledge there are only two cases of SCC in patients with DPMC that developed within areas of chronic skin ulceration.

Keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID) syndrome.

An 8-year-old boy with keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID) syndrome is reported. The patient has ichthyosis and deafness. Additional clinical features include hair and tooth abnormalities, as well as absence of the mammary glands.