Palmoplantar orthokeratotic filiform hyperkeratosis in a patient with associated Darier's disease. Classification of filiform hyperkeratosis

We present here the third published case of palmoplantar orthokeratotic filiform hyperkeratosis of particular clinical interest because of associated Darier's disease. We propose a classification of filiform hyperkeratosis in three groups on the basis of the topography (i.e. palmar and plantar, disseminated with palmoplantar sparing and linear) and the histology (i.e. porokeratosis or orthokeratosis) of the lesions. This keratinization disorder does not seem to be a specific disease entity but rather a syndrome secondary to various disorders.

Fotemustine plus dacarbazine for malignant melanoma

119 patients with metastatic melanoma received fotemustine 100 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and dacarbazine 250 mg/m2 on days 15-18. After a 5-week rest, fotemustine 100 mg/m2 on day 1 and dacarbazine 250 mg/m2 on days 2-5 was given every 3-4 weeks. 12 complete responses (11.6%) and 16 partial responses were observed in 103 evaluable patients (response rate 27.2%). The median duration of response was 21.5+ weeks (8+ to 53+). The response rate was 26.3% in CNS, 18.2% in visceral sites and 37.5% in non-visceral sites. The toxicity was mainly haematological: grade III-IV leukopenia in 27.4% and thrombocytopenia in 23.4%. The response rate was lower than that in 63 patients previously reported. The present series had a higher median age (54 vs. 40 years) without any differences in other population variables. However, activity on CNS metastases and on non-visceral sites was confirmed. Haematological toxicity was about 50% lower than that with fotemustine alone. Hence, this is an active outpatient regimen for metastatic melanoma, especially against cerebral and non-visceral metastases.

Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in Sneddon-Wilkinson subcorneal pustular dermatosis. A model of neutrophil priming in vivo

A patient with IgG-kappa-associated subcorneal pustular dermatosis (Sneddon-Wilkinson disease) refractory to dapsone, etretinate, and plasma exchange was successfully treated with corticosteroids. A study of neutrophils from both blood and pustules was carried out before and during treatment. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured in serum, pustules, content, and supernatant of monocytes. The results suggest that a hyperactivation of neutrophils in the skin is due at least partly to excessive production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Cutaneous lymphomas of phenotypically undetermined lineage: contribution of genotypic analysis

Genotypic analyses were performed in six primary cutaneous lymphomas whose lineage could not be assessed on the basis of histologic and phenotypic data. By immunophenotyping, these neoplasms expressed leukocyte common antigen and HLA-DR but did not show consistent immunostaining for B-cell or T-cell differentiation antigens. Expression of nonspecific histiocytic markers such as lysozyme and alpha 1-antitrypsin was found in three cases. By genotyping, three cases retained a germline configuration and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement was observed in one case, T-cell receptor gene rearrangement was found in one case, and both types of rearrangements in one case. Of the three patients in whom gene rearrangements were noted, two rapidly died and the other patient, with a dual genotype, is still alive 15 years after diagnosis. The three patients without gene rearrangements are alive and well after a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. It appears that cutaneous lymphomas with an uncertain phenotype include at least some cases of authentic B-cell or T-cell lymphomas. The germline configuration that we observed in cases with a chronic course remains difficult to explain. It may be related to a low malignancy form of histiocytic lymphoma, an atypical polyclonal hyperplasia, or even a low-grade lymphoma arising from a primitive cell without established commitment to either B- or T-cell lineage.

Extra-anogenital HPV16-related bowenoid papulosis

In this report we describe a case of bowenoid papulosis (BP) on the face of a 44 year old Algerian man. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of isolated extragenital BP. The presence of type 16 human papilloma virus was demonstrated by in situ hybridisation. This case underscores that multiple HPV-induced severe intraepithelial neoplasia, the so-called BP, is not restricted to the anogenital area.

Unfading acral microlivedo. A discrete marker of thrombotic skin disease associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

Small erythematous or cyanotic lesions on the hands and feet of four patients with antiphospholipid antibodies are described. These discrete lesions outline capillaries and do not disappear when pressure is applied. The histologic features are identical to those described in skin thrombotic syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies, that is, microthrombi in dermal vessels without inflammation. In addition to indicating antiphospholipid antibodies in apparently healthy patients, this sign could be a marker of risk for large-vessel thrombosis.

Rapid development of multiple squamous-cell carcinomas during chronic granulocytic leukemia

We report a 65-year-old patient who presented a rapid eruption of keratoses on sun-exposed areas and an explosive transformation into several squamous-cell carcinomas, occurring during the accelerated phase of a chronic granulocytic leukemia. Clinical findings resembled those usually described in xeroderma pigmentosum. The role of immunosuppression, chemotherapy and possible genetic predisposition is discussed.

Fibroblast growth factor gene expression in AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma detected by in situ hybridization

Biopsy samples from five acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-Kaposi's sarcomas and one non-AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma were assayed by in situ RNA hybridization onto paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin sections for the presence of two fibroblast growth factor gene transcripts, FGFB and FGF5. FGF5 gene expression was detected in the characteristic Kaposi's sarcoma spindle-shaped cells in the five samples from human immunodeficiency-positive (HIV+) patients. FGFB transcripts were detected in Kaposi's sarcoma cells as well as in epidermis of HIV- and HIV+ patients. These results complement the observations about growth factor gene expression done on Kaposi's sarcoma-derived cell lines, which thus appear to be representative of what happens in vivo. Furthermore, they demonstrate a contrasting expression pattern of FGF5 and FGFB genes, both involved in the growth factor pathogenic cascade leading to Kaposi's sarcoma.

Count of benign melanocytic nevi as a major indicator of risk for nonfamilial nodular and superficial spreading melanoma

A study of 207 consecutive white patients older than 18 years of age with nonfamilial nodular and superficial spreading melanoma and 295 controls was conducted in southeast France. Controls were recruited in a public health center. They were matched for sex and age to the overall population older than 18 years of age according to the last census. Melanocytic nevi were counted over the entire body, and data on sun exposure and skin type were collected. A multiple logistic model was used to determine the variables best predicting the risk of melanoma. In order of entry into the model, these variables were number of nevi from 5 to less than 10 mm (N5/10), outdoor leisure per year, frequency of sunburn in the last years, depth of suntan, number of nevi less than 5 mm in diameter (N1/5), age, social level, and hair color. Nevi counts were shown to be indispensable to the construction of a good predictive model for nonfamilial melanoma. After adjustment, estimated relative risks for nonfamilial melanoma rose with increasing number of N1/5, N5/10, and clinically atypical nevi (CAN) on the whole body. Compared with baseline groups the presence of more than 120 N1/5 was associated with a RR of 19.6, the presence of at least five N5/10 with a RR of 10, and the presence of more than one CAN with a RR of 2.77. The number of nevi on the buttocks seemed to be a strong risk factor of melanoma and may provide a simple technique for mass screening. The association between CAN and nonfamilial melanoma could be explained largely by the association between this tumor and the number of large nevi (greater than or equal to 5 mm). It is suggested that when using number of nevi as risk markers, their size might be more important than the other features of clinical atypia. Phenotypic traits and sun exposure, on the one hand, and number of nevi, on the other, seem to be independent risk factors. On the basis of nevus count alone, high-risk subgroups can be identified, which represent only a small part of the overall population older than 18 years of age and from which a large proportion nonfamilial melanoma would theoretically derive.

Thrombotic skin disease as a marker of the anticardiolipin syndrome. Livedo vasculitis and distal gangrene associated with abnormal serum antiphospholipid activity

Two patients with livedo vasculitis and microthrombosis of the dermal vessels and one patient with symmetric gangrene of both hands are presented. Their only biologic abnormality was the presence of a lupus-type circulating anticoagulant and an increased level of anticardiolipin antibodies. These observations and the few previously reported cases of cutaneous disorders associated with abnormal antiphospholipid activity suggest that the common pathologic process is thrombosis.

Ofuji papuloerythroderma. Report of a case with T cell skin lymphoma and discussion of the nature of this disease

This report concerns a white woman with characteristic manifestations of Ofuji papuloerythroderma. This erythroderma results from a coalescence of papular sheets that completely spare skin folds. This rare disease is associated with high blood eosinophilia. In this case superficial lymph nodes appeared a few months later and peripheral T cell nonepidermotropic skin lymphoma occurred, which raises questions as to the nosologic implications of papuloerythroderma.

Dermatomyositis-like syndrome induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

A dermatomyositis-like syndrome developed in a patient treated with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAI), niflumic acid, and regressed after the cessation of treatment. Previously an eruption had occurred under treatment with another NSAI, diclofenac. Our report shows that NSAI can induce not only lupus-like syndromes but also other connective tissue disorders.

Dysplastic naevus in non-familial melanoma. A clinicopathological study of 101 cases

In 101 patients with non-familial cutaneous melanoma (CM), melanocytic naevi were counted and classified according to clinical criteria. Only 8% of the patients had very atypical naevi. These atypical naevi were few in number and only one patient exhibited dysplastic naevus syndrome. An histological study was undertaken on the hypothesis that, in a given individual, if the most clinically atypical naevus is not histologically dysplastic it is unlikely that any of the others are. The most clinically atypical naevus in each patient was biopsied. Estimated in this way the prevalence of dysplastic naevi in patients with non-familial CM was only 18%. Comparison of patients with and without dysplastic naevi did not suggest that they constituted two different subsets. An attempt to correlate clinical diagnosis and histological features in this group of patients showed that the diagnosis of dysplastic naevi on the basis of clinical criteria alone is difficult and not reliable.

Disseminated pustular dermatosis in polycythemia vera. Relationship with neutrophilic dermatosis of myeloproliferative disorders: study of neutrophil function

An unusual case of disseminated pustular eruption associated with polycythemia vera is described. This eruption can be included in the group of neutrophilic dermatoses of myeloproliferative disorders (pyoderma gangrenosum, Sweet's syndrome). A defect in superoxide anion (O2-) generation is detected. The fact that both the clinical condition and the neutrophil function improved with the use of dapsone suggests that the O2- generation defect may play a role in the pathogenesis of the eruption. From an evolutionary standpoint, the occurrence of a neutrophilic dermatosis in polycythemia vera could be an unfavorable sign of preleukemia.

Keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID) syndrome. Vertical transmission and death from multiple squamous cell carcinomas

A father and daughter had typical clinical features of the keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID) syndrome, as described by Skinner et al in 1981. To our knowledge, ours is the first observation of a vertical transmission of this syndrome. The mechanism of inheritance is uncertain. These two patients as well as the 26 previously described exhibited a typical hyperkeratotic eruption, which should not be confused with ichthyosis. The characteristic features are diffuse hyperkeratosis, keratotic plaques, reticulated hyperkeratosis on the face, peribuccal grooves, and heavy-grain leatherlike keratoderma. The occurrence of multiple squamous cell carcinomas underlines the seriousness of this congenital ectodermal defect. Etretinate can relieve the lesions without actually improving the chances of survival.

Cutaneous manifestations associated with the presence of the lupus anticoagulant. A report of two cases and a review of the literature

Two patients with the lupus anticoagulant exhibited unusual cutaneous manifestations. They both fulfilled four criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus and had experienced deep venous thrombosis. The first patient suffered from a leg ulcer that resembled a pyoderma gangrenosum. The second patient presented erythematous and purplish macules on the fingertips. The histologic studies showed only microthrombosis in the dermal vessels without vasculitis, although such lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus are usually attributed to vasculitis. The association of these cutaneous lesions with lupus anticoagulant has never been reported. It is likely that this association is not fortuitous. After a review of the literature, it seems possible to individualize a new syndrome characterized by the presence of a subgroup of antiphospholipid antibodies. Thrombosis, spontaneous abortions, neurologic manifestations, pulmonary hypertension, positive results of a Coombs' test, and thrombocytopenia can be included in this syndrome, which overlaps with systemic lupus erythematosus. Certain cutaneous symptoms are associated with the presence of lupus anticoagulant or other antiphospholipid antibodies: leg ulcers, distal cutaneous ischemia, widespread cutaneous necrosis, and livedo. They can be considered as the dermatologic manifestations of this syndrome.