Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels in systemic sclerosis and various types of morphea in the Kashmir valley

To find the serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels in patients of systemic sclerosis and morphoea in the Kashmir Valley. This was a cross sectional study conducted in the department of dermatology of SKIMS Medical College over a period of one year involving 12 patients of systemic sclerosis and morphea and equal number of healthy controls. All the individuals were taken up for serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels. In patients with systemic sclerosis, the mean levels of copper and ceruloplasmin were increased. No alterations were found in patients with morphea and healthy controls. The increase in serum copper is probably secondary to increase in ceruloplasmin level, which occurs as a nonspecific response to inflammation

Retroperitoneal castlemans disease associated with paraneoplastic pemphigus

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a rare dermatologic condition that can occur as a paraneoplastic manifestation of lymphoproliferative disorders, visceral malignancies, Castleman disease and thymomas. In a pediatric age group paraneoplastic pemphigus has a striking association with Castleman disease and has a particularly poor prognosis in this age group. We describe a case of paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with retroperitoneal hyaline vascular variant of Castleman disease with a fatal outcome despite aggressive management

Serum ferritin levels in non-scarring alopecia of women: a case-control study

Iron deficiency in the etiology of hair loss has been studied for more than 45 years. However, contradictory reports have been published and almost all the studies conducted so far are based on observational methodology. To find out if any real association exists between the iron deficiency and alopecia. One hundred consecutive, clinically typical female patients [14-54 years] with nonscarring alopecia i.e. alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Both groups were evaluated for serum ferritin and other important parameters of iron status. Mean serum ferritin value of cases was significantly lower than that of the controls [p=0.005]. Patients with alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia had significantly lower values of serum ferritin [p=0.011 and 0.015, respectively], but there was no significant difference in telogen effluvium cases and controls [p=0.348]. The values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH and transferring-saturation were significantly lower in cases but had significantly higher TIBC values than controls. There is a definite association of decreased serum ferritin levels and nonscarring alopecia in women. The iron stores of female patients with nonscarring alopecias should be built for the optimum response to treatment as the proposed triggering factor can be abolished