ABSTRACT
We report a case of the rare porokeratosis variant porokeratosis ptychotropica (PP). A circumferential perianal plaque and the characteristic histology of multiple cornoid lamellae with underlying dermal amyloid deposition were seen. Amyloid deposition was seen in the biopsied intertriginous area of the plaque only, which, in concordance with other cutaneous amyloid deposition disorders, may suggest a role for friction in the pathogenesis of this histological finding. We review the literature on PP and summarize the poor response seen to treatments.
Subject(s)
Buttocks/pathology , Porokeratosis/pathology , Pruritus/pathology , Friction , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Porokeratosis/classification , Porokeratosis/therapy , PrognosisABSTRACT
Although screening for melanoma/skin cancer is theoretically of value, few data are available to evaluate its effectiveness or the value of a visual exam by a dermatologist as a cancer screening tool. From the 2560 persons screened for melanoma/skin cancer in Massachusetts in 1986 and 1987, the authors followed the positive screenees to determine their final diagnosis. The authors obtained information on 85% of these persons, and found nine malignant melanomas, 91 non-melanoma skin cancers, 39 dysplastic nevi, and three congenital nevi. The sensitivity of the visual exam by a dermatologist was 89% to 97% and the predictive value positive was 35% to 75% for skin cancer. The authors conclude that the yield of screening is equivalent to that of other major cancer screening efforts and that the sensitivity and predictive value of the visual examination by the dermatologist is appropriate for a cancer screening tool.
Subject(s)
Mass Screening/methods , Melanoma/epidemiology , Skin Neoplasms/epidemiology , Carcinoma in Situ/epidemiology , Female , Male , Massachusetts/epidemiology , Physical Examination , Predictive Value of Tests , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Three cases with pseudolymphomatous hypersensitivity reaction to tattoo pigment are described. One of the cases showed histologic features of Spiegler-Fendt pseudolymphoma. Awareness of this type of reaction to tattoo pigment can help prevent erroneous diagnosis of lymphoma. Several published reports are cited in which pseudolymphomatous reaction to tattoo pigment was erroneously diagnosed as lymphoma.
Subject(s)
Coloring Agents/adverse effects , Hypersensitivity, Delayed/etiology , Lymphoma/diagnosis , Skin Diseases/etiology , Tattooing/adverse effects , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Diagnostic Errors , Humans , Hypersensitivity, Delayed/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Skin Diseases/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosisABSTRACT
Two examples of apocrine neoplasm are presented, contrasting the features of an apocrine adenoma with those of a possible apocrine adenocarcinoma. Apocrine adenocarcinoma, distinct from Paget's disease, is a rare neoplasm. Its recognition is complicated by long periods of benign growth and by subtle histologic differences from apocrine adenoma.
