Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis in a patient with plaque psoriasis

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis [AGEP] is an acute febrile drug eruption characterized by sudden occurrence of numerous, non-follicular, pinhead-sized pustules. This usually occurs 3-5 days after the commencement of treatment. Development of pustular eruptions in patient with plaque psoriasis raises the differential diagnosis of AGEP versus pustular psoriasis of the Von Zumbusch type. Herein, we report a 56-year-old male who came into hospital with history of vomiting fresh blood. The patient was then admitted for management of hematemesis. He is a known case of psoriasis vulgaris, which was still present during admission. During admission, the patient developed pustular skin eruptions associated with fever 4 days after using clindamycin and ceftriaxone. Laboratory investigations revealed leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Histopathological examination showed sub-corneal neutrophilic collection and eosinophils in the papillary dermis. The pustular eruption disappeared completely within ten days after stopping clindamycin and ceftriaxone, confirming the diagnosis of AGEP

Awards in medicine and dermatology

The aim of this study was to establish effective methods to review and evaluate, and to emphasize in support with clarity as a proper trend in medical statistics. The clinical research material used in this study is stemmed from JAMC. Study:!, N is 220 subjects, from Pattern of Coronary Arterial Distribution and Its Relation to Coronary Artery Diameter, Z A Kaimkhani, MM Ali, AMA Faruqi JAMC Jan-Mar 2005; 17 [1]: 40-3.[1] Study:II, N is 105 patients, from Sclerotherapy Plus Octreotide Versus Sclerotherapy Alone In The Management Of Gastro-Oesophageal Variceal Hemorrhage. HA Shah, K Mumtaz, W Jafri, S Abid, S Hamid, A Ahmad, Z Abbas. JAMC Jan-Mar 2005; 17 [1]: 10-4 [2]. Systemic review and evaluation with statistical principles is to be used. The reports of 2 clinical researches from JAMC are assessed, and both used for demonstrating the characteristics and pitfalls statistically. Before reaching any significant difference in statistics, hopefully, all clinicians will be able to deal with the data to be measured by selecting proper statistical models as the best as we can in order to gain appropriate inference in medical statistics

Skin cancers in western Saudi Arabia

A retrospective analysis of skin cancers in a major referral centre in Taif region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, [KSA]. The case records of all malignant skin cancers diagnosed during a 10 year period, from 1992 through to 2001 were taken for the study. The clinical and histopathological details were noted. These were compared to reports from the rest of KSA and other countries. One hundred and four cases of malignant skin lesions including primary and metastatic tumors were seen. The majority were Saudis. The male to female ratio was 2.25:1. Most of the patients were over the age of 60 years. Basal cell carcinoma was the most frequent [51%] followed by squamous cell carcinoma [26%] and malignant melanoma [12.5%]. Other rare primary tumors were those arising from the skin appendages, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and Kaposi's sarcoma. Metastatic skin lesions were seen in 5; in one it resulted from a surgical procedure and in the others the primary site could not be determined. The number of patients seen in this report is not high indicating that protective factors like clothing and skin type of the individual played a protective role. However, we feel that more studies should be encouraged in other regions along with the creation of a registry within each area to monitor the information regarding skin cancers. This could then be incorporated in health education programmes to be imparted to the public