Keratosis lichenoides chronica: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

A 45-year-old man presented with a 7-year history of keratosis lichenoides chronica (KLC), a mucocutaneous lichenoid disorder of keratinization with no known aetiology, without significant systemic associations. Our patient also had type I diabetes mellitus, mild hypertension and lipid abnormalities. The diagnosis and treatment of KLC is often challenging.

Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens--a case report.

Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens is a rare suppurative disease of the scalp of unknown aetiology. The treatment is usually difficult and often disappointing. In the case presented in the current work, the remission was achieved with nine-month isotretinoin treatment.

Identification of melanoma risk factors in the Polish population.

BACKGROUND: There is a great deal of literature regarding malignant melanoma risk factors all over the world. However, such data concerning the Polish population has not been published as of yet. OBJECTIVE: To identify the importance of melanoma risk factors including number and distribution of common and atypical nevi of the patients, phenotypic features, and environmental conditions. METHODS: This is a case-control study of 74 melanoma patients and 300 controls. We used histopathological examination to confirm diagnosis of melanoma. Epiluminescence microscopy was introduced for differential diagnosis of all pigmented lesions. RESULTS: The mean number of common nevi in melanoma patients was significantly higher compared with the control group (22.1 vs 15.2; P < 0.05). Atypical nevi in the melanoma patients group and in the control group were encountered in 16.2% and 6.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the melanoma group more patients with fair complexion, intense sun exposure, and sunburn were identified compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: It was stated that an increased number of nevi (especially atypical ones), fair skin, and blue/green eyes, as well as intense UV exposure and sunburns, are important risk factors for melanoma development.

Functional studies of skin mast cells in lichen planus.

In order to identify possible functional differences between mast cells obtained from the skin of lichen planus (LP) patients and healthy donors, biopsies from lesional skin of 11 lichen planus patients and from normal skin of 7 healthy donors were sampled. Mast cells were obtained from the skin using an enzymatic dispersion technique. The cells were challenged in vitro with substance P (SP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and anti-IgE. Their reactivity was estimated on the basis of histamine release. LP skin mast cells and healthy skin mast cells showed similar sensitivity to stimulation with TNF-alpha at a concentration of 10(-7) M (15.2% histamine release, as a proportion of total cellular content vs 15.9%) and to stimulation with anti-IgE at a dilution of 1:100) (38.8% vs 37.0%). Spontaneous histamine release was also very similar in both the populations of mast cells (10.2% vs 12.7%, respectively). However, LP skin mast cells showed significantly higher (P < 0.01) sensitivity towards stimulation with SP at a concentration of 10(-4) M than healthy skin mast cells (15.9% histamine release vs 7.0%). This finding could suggest that neurogenic inflammatory mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of LP.

Evaluation of esophageal passage in selected connective tissue diseases.

The objective of this study was to determine whether, as in with other types of connective tissue diseases, there exists esophageal passage dysfunction as it exists in systemic scleroderma. It was also interesting to establish whether there is any correlation between this kind of dysfunction and the subjective complaints connected with the esophagus as well as the occurrence of Raynaud's phenomenon. Evaluation of the esophageal passage was performed on the basis of scintigraphic examination. The delay of esophageal passage occurs, besides systemic scleroderma, in other types of connective tissue diseases. This examination is a valuable test, thanks to which changes in the esophagus can be discovered, despite the lack of subjective complaints. In addition to systemic scleroderma, there is no close correlation between dysphagia and Raynaud's phenomenon.

An unusual case of giant dermatofibroma in a patient with diabetes mellitus and necrobiosis lipoidica.

A case of nine dermatofibromata, including a giant one, associated with necrobiosis lipoidica and diabetes mellitus type II is reported. This case is unusual because of the number and size of the tumors and their association with the above-mentioned pathologic conditions.

Malignant blue nevus with neurosarcoma-like lymph node metastases.

We report a case of malignant blue nevus (MBN) of the foot with unusual morphologic presentation of nodal metastases. Their structure resembled neurosarcoma, and differed from the appearance of the primary tumor. This case confirms the mutual close histogenic relationship between MBN and neurosarcoma, both tumors originating from the structures of the neural crest. We also discuss the problem of so-called "benign" metastases of malignant melanoma.

[Correlations between the properties and effects of clinical therapy using textile material with antipsoriatic action]. / Korelacja wlasciwosci i efektów terapii klinicznej materialu tekstylnego o dzialaniu przeciwluszczycowym.

The aim of the study was to design a textile material as a carrier for dermatological drugs. Cotton fabric was chosen for experimentation to be a fibrous support for the system. Additional components were a drug carrier in form of synthetic hydrogel impregnation (partially crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) and a bioactive agent dithranol) dispersed within the gel. The rate of release of the drug from the fibrous system was measured in aqueous media and depended on the concentration of dithranol. The structure and physical properties of the material were designed and controlled in order to ensure the optimal contact with the skin. Clinical studies were carried out with psoriatic patients. The results of the treatment with the textile material containing dithranol were presented using a computer optimalization method. In conclusion it was asserted that this type of textile-based medical device is effective and in many respects more convenient and less troublesome alternative in the treatment of psoriasis as compared to conventional treatments with dithranol suspended in ointments and creams.

[Results of the treatment of rosacea with metronidazole cream]. / Wyniki leczenia tradzika rózowatego kremem z metronidazolem.

Metronidazole cream 1% was applied externally for the treatment of rosacea during 2 months in 14 women and 6 men. Two patients failed to come for control examination. Out of 18 patients who completed the treatment in 5 the lesions disappeared completely and were not returning during 3 months of follow-up, in 11 cases an improvement was achieved, in 1 case no improvement occurred, and in 1 case worsening was noted. These results suggest that the cream with metronidazole is an effective treatment for rosacea.