Progressive essential iris atrophy, Chandler's syndrome, and the iris nevus (Cogan-Reese) syndrome: a spectrum of disease

Progressive essential iris atrophy, Chandler's syndrome, and the iris nevus (Cogan-Reese) syndrome are considered to be variations of a single disease process, which is characterized by abnormalities of the cornea, anterior chamber angle, and iris. In each variation, the typical patient is a white woman with unilateral disease, negative family history, and an onset of symptoms in early to middle adulthood. Since the membrane theory of Campbell suggests that the disease is a fundamental abnormality of the corneal endothelium, rather than the iris, the term "iridocorneal endothelial syndrome," as proposed by Yanoff, may be an appropriate inclusive term for the spectrum of disease, although further study of the pathogenesis is needed. For each variation of the disease, corneal edema and secondary glucoma are both treated primarily by medical or surgical reduction of the intraocular pressure, although penetrating keratoplasty is occasionally required for cases with advanced corneal edema.

Basal cell nevus syndrome and adenocarcinoma of the colon. Response to systemic fluorouracil

A patient with basal nervus syndrome was found to have an adenocarcinoma of the colon. This association, probably fortuitous, made it possible to study the effect of intravenous 5-fluorouracil on the cutaneous basal cell tumors. There was no reaction to this treatment. Subsequently, all visible basal cell tumors were satisfactorily eradicated with topical 5-fluorouracil.

[Inflammatory variable epidermal naevus (atypical I.L.V.E.N.? A new entity?) (author's transl)]

The authors report a case of two sisters, having one of them left hemiatrophy, with congenital verrucose lesions, in plaques and lineary, bilateral, in extremities, presenting bouts of inflammatory extensive evolution (mostly on the atrophic side), with spontaneous resolution. Histologically the lesions match with those of Nevil's. The authors discuss the nosologic data with that of Nevil's, with epidermic nevus of Solomon and with variable erythrokeratodermis.

The association of neurofibromatosis and hyperparathyroidism

Two patients with coexisting neurofibromatosis and hyperparathyroidism are described, bringing the total number of such cases in the world literature to seven. Other more classic examples of the association of tumorous conditions of neuroectodermal and entodermal origin are discussed to support the suggestion that the association of these two diseases may be another variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2b). It may be clinically profitable to investigate all patients with either disease in order to uncover their coexistence.

Facial naevus and unsuspected visual loss from glaucoma

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The nevus comedonicus syndrome: a case report with emphasis on associated internal manifestations

A 14-year-old boy with nevus comedonicus, multiple congenital abnormalities of the spine, and a central nervous system disorder is described. The associated abnormalities previously reported with nevus comedonicus are summarized. Thorough evaluation of patients with nevus comedonicus may disclose the occurrence of certain internal abnormalities in syndromic association.

[Nevoid hair bundles in man]

Between the different forms of multiple hairs the circumscribed occurence of compound hairs is a rare nevoid hair-abnormality. It is caused by merging of several follicles in the middle or upper corium. The deep parts and the papillae are independent units. The pathogenesis, clinical relevance and therapy of compound hairs are discussed on the basis of an own observation.

Naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: two autosomal dominant disorders segregating in a family

A family is described in which 16 individuals in 3 generations have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. At least 6 family members also have the naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. In addition, 1 subject with both disorders has 2 young daughters with the naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.

[Neurocutaneous melanosis. Report of a case]

The clinical, laboratorial and radiological features of a 3-month-old child with neurocutaneous melanosis are described. The patient was born with multiple disseminated benign cutaneous nevi, proven by skin-biopsy, and presented with drug-resistant seizures and psycho-motor retardation. Serial cerebrospinal fluid studies showed high protein and low glucose levels, with pleocytosis and malignant cells in the fluid. Pneumoencephalogram showed mild non-obstructive hydrocephalus. Immunological studies showed normal immunological activity at three months of age and very poor activity at one year. The patient died at 16 months of age, after the sudden onset of intracranial hypertension and meningeal signs. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy were suggested but not accepted by the family. Some comments are made based on this and other 43 cases described in the literature; the value of laboratory studies in detecting malignant transformaiton in the meninges in patients with benign skin nevi is stressed.

Multicentric primary malignant melanomas of the choroid: two separate malignant melanomas of the choroid and two uveal naevi in one eye

Two completely separate malignant melanomas of the choroid occurred in 1 eye containing 2 additional uveal naevi. Review of the literature disclosed 7 further patients with unilateral multicentric malignant melanomas of the choroid and 11 bilateral multicentric malignant melanomas of the uvea. General aspects of multicentric primary neoplasia are discussed and an interpretation is attempted.