Becker's melanosis: an organoid hamartoma.

Herein we have reported the histologic findings in two cases of Becker's melanosis. In one patient the lesion showed hyperplasia or hair muscles and in the other patient the lesion was associated with an underlying neurofibroma. The proliferative changes seen in the epidermis and dermis in Becker's melanosis can best be explained by the concept of an organoid hamartoma with involvement of the epidermis, pilar structures, and some other dermal components. The localization of the plexiform neurofibroma within the Becker's nervus is a unique observation. It may fall within the spectrum of an organoid hamartoma or it may only represent a chance occurrence.

Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud. Its relation to other papillomatoses.

Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CRP) of Gougerot and Carteaud is the least common occurring of the papillomatoses. Its recognition as a distinct disease entity has long been questioned. Four new cases are presented, and the literature is reviewed. It is our conclusion that CRP is a definite disease entity.

Cutaneous signs of spinal dysraphism. Report of a patient with a tail-like lipoma and review of 200 cases in the literature.

The term "spinal dysraphism" was coined in 1940 by Dr Lichtenstein to designate incomplete fusion or malformations of structures in the dorsal midline of the back, particularly congenital abnormalities of the vertebral column and spinal cord. Raphes develop on the face and head, brancheal arches, sternum, and spinal column. When dysraphism occurs in these sites, failure of closure of fontanelles, cleft lip and palate, brancheal cysts, and abnormalities of the ribs and spine result. A review of 200 cases of occult spinal dysraphism showed the condition to be more common in female patient and to be associated with cutaneous signs in more than 50% of instances. The age at which neurologic symptoms appeared in recorded cases is from birth to 76 years, the average being three years. A case of spinal dysraphism with a tail-like cutaneous structure is presented. The cutaneous manifestations accompanying spinal dysraphism that may lead to early recognition of this syndrome and early institution of treatment are discussed.

Nevus lipomatosus cutaneus superficialis (Hoffmann-Zurhelle).

We are reporting seven cases with nevus lipomatosus cutaneus superficialis. A review of the literature indicates that this is a relatively rare type of connective tissue nevus with little more than 50 cases recorded. Localization of the cutaneous nodular lesions over the upper thigh and buttock and histologic findings of fat lobules within the substance of the nevoid malformation differentiate these lesions from other varieties of the connective tissue nevi.