Perianal Cutaneous Larva Migrans in a Child

Abstract: Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a dermatosis characterized by the presence of parasites which migrate into the skin, forming linear or serpiginous lesions. We report a child with cutaneous larva migrans of interest because of the involvement of an unusual site and the patient's age. We confirm the efficacy of therapy consisting of administration of albendazole by mouth.     

Loeffler's Syndrome Following Cutaneous Larva Migrans: An Uncommon Sequel

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is characterized by the formation of distinctive, tortuous, and serpentine skin lesions occurring as a result of epidermal burrowing by certain helminthic larvae. Although this condition is usually uneventful, rarely it may result in patchy pulmonary infiltration with peripheral eosinophilia, also called Loeffler''s syndrome. This association is fairly uncommon and is thus being reported.     

Cutaneous (non-HIV) infections

Cutaneous infections continue to represent a large proportion of inpatient dermatology. Though most infectious skin diseases do not warrant hospitalization, some do and can rapidly become fatal if not treated promptly. A selected group of infections are reviewed--primary cutaneous infections, exotoxin-mediated syndromes, and systemic infections--that warrant hospitalization. Dermatologists play a critical role in the synthesis of patient history and appreciation of morphologic skin disease, which, when coupled with appropriate lab tests, may help to establish a diagnosis allowing for the timely implementation of effective and targeted therapy.     

Cutaneous myxoma (focal dermal mucinosis)

Two cases of cutaneous myxoma are presented. In case 1 the cutaneous myxoma was localized on the left thumb and clinically resembled a pyogenic granuloma. In case 2 it was found at the left nipple. The benign cutaneous tumor may herald a cardiac myxoma and other conditions. Thus, a cutaneous myxoma should be accepted as an indication for thorough investigation of the whole body at regular intervals. As there are neither clinically nor histologically adequate criteria for differentiation, cutaneous myxoma and focal dermal mucinosis can be considered as variants of a single entity.     

Cutaneous lymphocytic thrombophilic (macular) arteritis

Macular arteritis (MA) has a striking discordance between the clinical presentation of hyperpigmented macules and the histopathologic findings of a lymphocytic arteritis with intraluminal hyalinized fibrin ring and thrombosis. It has been proposed that MA represents the chronic, indolent, lymphocytic form of the neutrophil-predominant cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa. MA usually affects middle-aged women asymptomatically on the legs. There is also a slightly more severe variant with more infiltrated plaques and livedo racemosa, termed lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis. MA and lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis have similar histologic features, both with a largely intact vascular elastic lamina, despite the abundant fibrin and endarteritis obliterans. There is no evidence for progression from MA to lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis to cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, and aggressive therapy should be avoided in MA, given the indolent, benign disease course.     

Cutaneous manifestations of acrodynia (pink disease)

A 14-month-old girl who presented with multiple systemic complaints was found to have gingivitis, peeling of her palms and soles, and a peculiar acral eruption. A diagnosis of acrodynia, or pink disease, was confirmed by elevated levels of mercury in the urine. The many cutaneous manifestations of this once common disease are discussed.     

结节性多动脉炎的皮肤病理分析

本文报道了10例皮肤型结节性多动脉炎,所有病例经过皮肤活体检查,证实均具有结节性多动脉炎的典型图象,本文作了简要描写和分析。疼痛性皮下结节是本组病例唯一的症状,皮损绝大部分发生于四肢(89％)本病系统症状轻微,病程良性,预后良好。     

Primary Cutaneous Histoplasmosis in Papuloerythroderma (Ofuji)

We report the first Japanese patient with primary cutaneous histoplasmosis who was infected inside Japan. He was not an immunocompromised host but his cutaneous lesions developed on preexisting papuloerythroderma (Ofuji). The long-term topical corticosteroid treatment for papuloerythroderma, which could have suppressed the local immunological defence system of the skin, might have been responsible for the histoplasma infection in the present case.     

Cutaneous balloon cell dermatofibroma (fibrous histiocytoma)

Dermatofibroma (DF) or cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma is a common benign skin tumor that exhibits multiple, distinct histologic variants. Although clear cell DF has been described in the literature, balloon cell degeneration causing a clear cell DF phenotype has been not been reported to date. Herein, we describe the clinicopathologic findings of balloon cell DF arising on the heel of a 43-year-old man. Clinically, it presented as enlarging tan-white, ulcerated, firm 1.5 cm nodule, clinically suspected to be pyogenic granuloma. Excisional biopsy revealed a circumscribed fibrous tumor populated by mostly clear and spindle cells. A zonal arrangement separated the varied tumor cells where the most superficial, polypoid area showed large, clear polygonal balloon cells; the mid-dermal zone demonstrated a transition between balloon cells, epithelioid cells, and spindle cells; and the deep dermal zone had storiform arrangement of spindle cells, with the fascicles separated by coarse collagen bundles. A CD10+ > CD68+ > Factor XIIIa+ immunophenotype was identified with negative immunolabeling for S-100 protein, HMB-45, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, desmin, smooth muscle actin, lysozyme, and leukocyte common antigen (LCA). Ultrastructurally, the clear tumor cells were filled with multiple, empty, nonmembrane bound vacuoles of varying size. No recurrence has been described after complete excision and 7 months of follow up. DF with balloon cell change, likely secondary to persistent irritation, should be added to the differential diagnosis of cutaneous primary and metastatic neoplasms showing balloon cell degeneration such as balloon cell melanocytic nevi and renal cell carcinoma, respectively.