Lymph node biopsy results for desmoplastic malignant melanoma.

Desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) is a rare variant of melanoma with distinct histopathologic and clinical features. Compared with other melanomas, the desmoplastic variant demonstrates a greater frequency of local recurrence and a proclivity for tracking along nerves, but it poses a lower risk of distant metastases. Elective lymph node dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) are commonly used tools for determining prognosis in thick melanomas.

Topical immunotherapy: what's new.

Further understanding of the pathogenesis of dermatologic conditions at a molecular level has led to targeted therapies. The topical immune response modifiers have contributed significantly to the treatment of cutaneous diseases. New topical remedies, particularly the Toll-like receptor agonists and calcineurin inhibitors, have added to the clinical armamentarium and have further advanced clinicians' ability to treat a wide variety of benign, premalignant, and malignant conditions.

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis: report of a 12-year-old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Urticarial vasculitis, a form of leukocytoclastic vasculitis involving the postcapillary venules, is classified as a type III hypersensitivity reaction and has been associated with connective tissue disease. The lesions resemble urticaria and typically persist for more than 24 hours. Urticarial vasculitis usually affects young women, and the diagnosis is confirmed at histologic examination.

Bullous lesions in scleroderma.

Background: The occurrence of bullous lesions in localized or systemic scleroderma is rare. Three histologic patterns have been reported: lichen sclerosus et atrophicus-like, lymphangiectatic blisters and autoimmune blistering diseases.

Objective: To investigate the frequency, clinical, and immunopathologic features of patients with scleroderma and bullous eruptions and to review the literature regarding this rare condition.

Primary hyperoxaluria: report of a patient with livedo reticularis and digital infarcts.

Primary hyperoxaluria encompasses 3 rare genetic disorders of glyoxylate metabolism characterized by excessive urinary excretion of oxalic acid, resulting in oxalosis. Patients typically have recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis, leading to chronic renal failure and death from uremia. Oxalate can deposit in extrarenal sites such as the heart, walls of arteries and veins, bone, and skin.