A Case of Disseminated Nocardiosis Secondary to the Skin Nodules in an Elderly Woman

Nocardiosis refers to a locally invasive or disseminated infection associated with the Nocardia species. Most infections enter through the respiratory tract and then disseminate systemically. Rarely can a primary nocardial infection of the skin spread to contiguous structures or disseminate to other internal organs in immunocompromised hosts. We describe a 70-year-old woman who suffered from recurrent nodular skin lesions on her right hand, forearm and elbow following inoculation of a traumatic injury. Analysis of the purulent exudates obtained from the nodule revealed Nocardia species. After 20 days, a chest X-ray showed newly developed multiple nodules in both lungs. The diagnosis of systemic nocardiosis was established, and we treated this case with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Three Cases of Digital Mucous Cyst Treated with Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate Sclerotherapy / 대한피부과학회지

A digital mucous cyst is a benign, non-inflammatory disease frequently observed on the dorsal aspect of the fingers and toes. Multiple punctures with extraction of the cyst contents and intralesional steroid injections are the suggested treatments. However, this approach has shown a high failure and recurrence rate. Cryotherapy has had a better success rate but it is a more painful procedure. Surgical excision of the communicating tract between the cyst and joint has been reported to have the highest cure rate but it requires highly skilled surgery, and the surgery has the risk of severe complications including contractures of the joints and acquired nail deformity. We report three patients with digital mucous cysts treated by sclerotherapy without complications.