Endoscopic groin lymph node dissection as a preferable technique for malignant skin neoplasms.

Groin lymph node dissection (GLND) remains an effective treatment for malignant neoplasms of the skin arising on the lower extremities and perineum. However, complications such as seroma, flap necrosis, and infections have been encountered. It is thought that a conventional operation using a long inguinal incision can result in those complications. To minimise the risk of such complications, endoscopic GLND (EGLND) was performed in five patients. No severe complications were found. Although EGLND is still in the developmental stage, this technique is suggested as a possible surgical option for reducing morbidity and improving aesthetic results.

Case of purpura fulminans due to septicemia after artificial abortion.

We describe a case of purpura fulminans due to septicemia after artificial abortion. Our patient suffered purpuric progressive skin necrosis on the back, extremities and buttock. Rhabdomyolysis involvement was confirmed by high level of creatinine phosphokinase and appearance of much brownish discharge from necrotic gluteal muscle and latissimus dorsi muscle. Amputation of both feet and second, third, fourth and fifth fingers of the right hand was performed. The buttock lesion was reconstructed with the posterolateral thigh V-Y flap after debridement. Other lesions were covered with split-thickness skin grafts.

A case of carotenemia associated with ingestion of nutrient supplements.

Carotenemia is characterized by an abnormal yellowish orange pigmentation of the skin, most prominently seen on the palms and soles. Although it is associated with several disease such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and anorexia nervosa, it is caused by excessive intake of carotene-rich food such as oranges and carrots in most cases. Herein, we describe an interesting case of carotenemia in a 66-year-old female secondary to increased ingestion of oral supplements of carotene in order to improve hemorrhage in the eyeground. There could be an increasing trend of intake of commercial nutrient supplements in which case it is necessary to remind ourselves that commercial nutrient supplements could cause various skin disorders as side-effects.

A case of cutaneous odontogenic sinus.

Despite the fact that cutaneous sinus tracts of odontogenic origin are well documented, the condition is still commonly misdiagnosed, because chronic periapical periodontitis may be asymptomatic and is rarely open to the skin. A 75-year-old Japanese woman presented to our clinic with the chief complaint of a left cheek skin lesion with mild pain. Physical examination revealed a subcutaneous nodule covered with erythematous skin on her left buccal region. Cultures from the subcutaneous nodule grew Bacteroides species and Peptostreptococcus micros but did not yield acid-fast bacilli, fungi, or Actinomyces. Stains of smeared pus showed a considerable number of Gram-negative rods. The histopathological examination revealed a focal abscess formation in the lower dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Dental evaluation, including an orthopantogram, showed a radiolucent alveolar area at the left lower first molar apex, suggesting a periapical abscess. Antibiotic therapy for three weeks associated with surgical root canal therapy eliminated the subcutaneous nodule. A high degree of suspicion is required to correctly diagnose a lower facial lesion as being of odontogenic origin, and prompt dental evaluation should be considered.

Successful treatment of pyogenic granuloma with injection of absolute ethanol.

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a small, almost always solitary, sessile or pedunculated, raspberry-like vegetation of exuberant granulation tissue. Conservative treatment by techniques such as cryosurgery, laser surgery, and electrodesiccation are usually adequate, whereas excisional treatment can often result in noticeable scars. We attempted a different approach using an injection of absolute ethanol in five patients with recurrence due to inadequate cryosurgery. This therapy is less invasive than surgical excision and appears to be an alternative therapy for PG.

A case of baboon syndrome associated with group a streptococcal infection.

We described a 21-year-old Japanese patient with sore throat, fever, and diffuse erythema on the neck, trunk, and limbs. Erythema markedly appeared on the neck, axillary, antecubital, and popliteal fossae. However, other skin signs of scarlet fever such as red strawberry tongue and linear petechial eruption did not appear. Before his visit to our clinic, he had been diagnosed as pharyngitis and treated with cefaclor 750 mg daily for six days. However, the symptoms did not improve. Oral prednisolone of 20 mg daily rapidly improved all the symptoms. Pharyngeal culture grew Streptococcus pyogenes that was sensitive to cefaclor. Laboratory findings showed elevated serum levels of antibody against streptolysin O. Together with the distribution of erythema, culture of Streptococcal pyogenes, and elevated anti-streptolysin O titer, the diagnosis of baboon syndrome associated with streptococcal infection was made. This seems to be the first report of baboon syndrome due to streptococcal infection.