Cutaneous plasmacytosis associated with lung and anal carcinomas

Cutaneous plasmacytosis is a rare disorder characterized by a benign proliferation of mature plasma cells that appears as multiple dark-brown to purplish skin lesions, often associated with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia. We present the case of a 55-year-old Caucasian man who suffered from a cutaneous plasmacytosis associated with two different carcinomas. Cutaneous plasmacytosis seems to be a reactive process because most cases reported are not associated with any apparent underlying disease. Nevertheless, because few reported cases were associated with malignancies, screening of additional neoplasms would be justified.     

Nuclear medicine diagnosis of the thyroid

The progress made in ultrasonography and improved in vitro tests have changed the field of application for scintigraphy of the thyroid. Thyroid scanning itself has been improved by the use of isotopes with better imaging properties and less radiation burden (99mTc, 123I) and by gamma cameras for imaging. Scintigraphy yields real topographic and functional information on the gland, in addition to which ultrasonography gives morphological data only. This holds true especially for autonomous nodular goiter with iodine deficiency. The goal of thyroid imaging is always to match the appropriate diagnostic procedure with all the clinical data available. When optimized techniques (gamma camera, on-line processor) are used thyroid scintigraphy is useful for the diagnosis, adequate therapy and follow-up of various thyroid disorders.     

Chronic thromboembolic occlusion in the adult can mimic pulmonary artery agenesis

In the first 100 patients operated on for C T-E PH, three were referred with the diagnosis of UPAA having been made elsewhere. We found that many features of these two conditions are so similar that differential diagnosis is very difficult. Shared features may include findings on chest x-ray film, pulmonary angiography, CT scan and MRI studies. Since the two conditions vary substantially with respect to the methods of potential surgical correction, recognition of this possible differential diagnostic dilemma is important.