Malignant acanthosis nigricans: potential role of chemotherapy.

Acanthosis nigricans is an uncommon skin condition characterized by hyperkeratosis and skin hyperpigmentation. Most causes are benign, but it may also be associated with gastrointestinal and other malignancies. When associated with malignant disease, the skin pathology may be more severe and treatment often unsuccessful.

The long-term results of cartilage removal alone for the treatment of chondrodermatitis nodularis.

Cartilage excision alone has been demonstrated to be an effective technique in the treatment of chondrodermatitis nodularis (CDN), and in the short term is associated with an 80% cure rate. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that long-term disease control could be achieved using this surgical technique. Set in three hospital dermatology departments, 94 patients with CDN affecting the helix and antihelix were contacted by postal questionnaire at least 6 months after surgery.

Systemic lupus erythematosus complicating complement type 2 deficiency: successful treatment with fresh frozen plasma.

We report a man who presented in 1981 at the age of 30 with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE), which was resistant to a range of treatments over the subsequent 11 years. In 1991 he suffered fits, dysphasia and agitated depression, and in 1992 a severe septicaemic illness. Systemic LE was diagnosed, and investigation showed homozygous complement type 2 deficiency (C2d).