Alejandro Morales

Minocycline and generalized cutaneous pigmentation

The recent literature contains sporadic mention of localized pigmentary accumulations in skin, bones, teeth, and thyroid tissue, presumably related to the use of systemic minocycline hydrochloride. It is our purpose to report the occurrence of generalized, cutaneous, dark blue-gray hyperpigmentation that developed in a woman while she was being treated with minocycline (Minocin) for acne vulgaris. We believe this pigmentary change to be minocycline-induced.

Perforating lichen nitidus

We report a second case of perforating lichen nitidus. This supports the occurrence of the transepidermal elimination phenomenon in lichen nitidus and justifies the addition of lichen nitidus to the family of perforating dermatoses.

Pilomatricoma: Treatment by incision and curettement

The usual method of treatment of pilomatricoma (calcifying epitheliona of Malherbe) is excision. We present a review of eight patients with ten tumors treated by incision and curettement. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years, and there have been no recurrences. An alternative method of therapy with excellent results is presented.

The occurrence of nail pitting in Reiter's syndrome

Some authors have stated that nail pitting never occurs in Reiters syndrome. The case of a patient with incomplete Reiters syndrome with nail pitting and HLA-A2, 28; B18, 27 is presented. Patients who have both psoriasis and Reiters syndrome have demonstrated increased frequency of HLA-A2 and B27 and markedly decreased frequency of HLA loci associated with psoriasis. The particular finding of nail pitting is presented to illustrate that this change may occur in Reiters syndrome and may reflect a predisposition to the development of psoriasis or psoriasiform lesions conferred by HLA-A2 with B27, as suggested by previously reported HLA typing studies.