J. M. Oleaga

Spontaneous regression of Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin.

We report a 65‐year‐old man who presented with a Merkel cell carcinoma on his right ear, a small satellite nodule and regional lymph node metastases. No treatment was given because of his generally poor state of health. Spontaneous regression of all the lesions was observed within a month. Merkel cell carcinoma is a potentially aggressive tumour. Only four cases of spontaneous regression have been reported previously.

Allergic contact dermatitis from Kathon 893

ing in an additional medicament series. We have not tried to validate the relationship between ketoconazole cream and sodium sulfite sensitivity by use testing. From our data, it can be concluded that the majority of patients sensitized to sodium sulfite have no known previous contact with ketoconazole cream or sodium-sulfite-containing topical preparations. The clinical relevance of the positive reactions to sodium sulfite remains to be established. Contact Dermatitis 1992: 27: 345

Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome): An adult case with multisystemic involvement

Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome) is a rare congenital syndrome with suspected X-linked transmission that is characterized by a wide range of mesoectodermal defects. We describe a 39-year-old woman who had a peculiar phenotype and asymmetry of the body. Examination revealed atrophic erythematous and hyperpigmented linear streaks following Blaschkos lines, some of which were in a reticular or cribriform arrangement. Yellow, soft nodules caused by fat herniation were visible mainly in skin folds. The patient had multiple bone anomalies, including longitudinal striation of long bones (osteopathia striata). She had several ocular, dental, and kidney defects. Histopathologic examination showed a markedly thinned dermis that was replaced by adipose tissue.

Solar urticaria and cold urticaria in the same patient

long duration, which none the less responded rapidly to treatment. The patient was a 70-year-old farmer. His father had died at the age of 78 years of haemoptysis of unknown cause. Our patient presented in August 1992, with a pseudotumoral. asymptomatic plaque on his left upper arm. This lesion had grown steadily since it had first appeared when he was i years old. Examination revealed a 12 x 14cm, verrucose. hypertrophic lesion on the left arm (Fig. la), which was exuding small amounts of translucent, yellowish fluid. The margins of the lesion were well-defined, irregular in outline, and reddishviolet in colour. The lesion was surrounded by satellite papules, Diascopic examination revealed pale-yellow nodules. The remainder of the physical examination was normal. Investigations revealed an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, iron deficiency anaemia, and hypoproteinaemia. A chest X-ray and renal echographic studies were normal. Cultures of sputum and urine for mycobacteria were negative, and Ziehl-Neelsen staining of a biopsy specimen and exudate from the lesion did not reveal any mycobacteria. The Mendel-Mantoux reaction was 25 mm at 48 h. Histological examination revealed alternating zones of epithelial hyperplasia and hypoplasia. Samples taken from the margin of the lesion showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. The dermis contained granulomas composed of epithelioid cells and Langhans giant cells surrounded by lymphocytes. There were foci of caseous necrosis, some of which were surrounded by fibrosis. Cultures of the exudate and biopsy tissue in Lowenstein medium grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

No evidence of cross-reaction between fepradinol and other phenylethanolamines

Patients and Methods Case no. 1 A 50-year-old man presented with acute eczema on the left side of his back. For muscular pain in the left scapular area, Dalgen® spray had been applied 2-3Xa day. 3 days later, without previous sun exposure, he developed intense pruritus due to acute exudative eczema in the area of application. After withdrawal of Dalgen® spray, he was treated with topical antiseptics and local and oral corticosteroids, with rapid improvement.