ABSTRACT
We document an unusual tattoo reaction presenting as verrucous plaques, which on histopathologic examination showed marked pseudoepitheliomatous epidermal hyperplasia. The patient is a 27-year-old female who presented to her dermatologist complaining of itchy overgrowth of her tattoo. Her symptoms began 2 months after tattoo placement approximately 1 year ago. Physical examination revealed verrucous plaques in the purple areas of the tattoo, suggesting a clinical diagnosis of a granulomatous tattoo reaction. A superficial biopsy showed epidermal hyperplasia somewhat reminiscent of a regressing keratoacanthoma. No tattoo was identified. A repeat shave biopsy demonstrated marked epidermal hyperplasia with focal keratin filled cystic dilatations, and local mild reactive keratinocytic atypia. In the surrounding dermis, there was dense chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and granules of dark red pigment. These findings suggest marked pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia secondary to the tattoo. Different reaction patterns have been described in association with tattoos, such as granulomatous and/or perivascular lymphocytic inflammation. However, there have been few cases reported of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia arising at a tattoo site. Therefore, we encourage physicians to consider massive epidermal hyperplasia in the differential diagnosis of a verrucous tattoo reaction.
Subject(s)
Keratoacanthoma/etiology , Keratoacanthoma/pathology , Tattooing/adverse effects , Adult , Epidermis/pathology , Female , Humans , Hyperplasia/pathologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Calciphylaxis (calcific uremic arteriolopathy) is a rare complication of end-stage renal disease in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Subcutaneous skin nodules and extensive tissue necrosis with vascular calcification characterize this process. DESIGN AND SETTING: The design of the study included case series and literature review. The study was set in a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Four patients presented over an 8-month period with extensive tissue loss and the subsequent diagnosis of calciphylaxis. Two of these patients were revascularized. One underwent primary amputation, and the final patient died before revascularization. The mortality rate for this group was 75%. All patients had significant vascular complications outside the area of initial presentation. CONCLUSIONS: These individuals represent a subset of patients who may not benefit from revascularization or may require extensive regulation of divalent metabolism before consideration for revascularization.
Subject(s)
Amputation, Surgical , Calciphylaxis/diagnosis , Calciphylaxis/etiology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/complications , Aged , Amputation, Surgical/methods , Calciphylaxis/therapy , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/diagnosis , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/surgery , Prognosis , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Salvage Therapy , Wound Healing/physiologyABSTRACT
Involvement of the cavernous sinus region due to haematogenous spread or by local extension of a malignant head and neck tumour does not occur frequently. Six patients were treated by external beam radiation with (n=3) or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy between December 1989 and February 1996. Manifestations of the condition mainly consisted of fifth and sixth cranial nerve deficits (n=4). Complete resolution of cranial nerve deficits after therapy occurred in two of the four patients with only three individuals having been evaluable. Three of the six patients survived for more than 3 years. Thus, palliation can be achieved by chemoradiation or radiotherapy alone, and long term survival is not precluded.
