Miriam Schewach-Millet

Peutz‐jeghers syndrome and bilateral breast carcinoma

Bilateral breast carcinoma developed in a young woman with Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome. A review of the literature reveals that it is not uncommon for Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome to be associated with malignant tumors. A genetic predisposition to cancer development may be part of the spectrum of this syndrome. Patients with Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome should be examined carefully for early detection of cancer.

Skin type, hair color, and freckles are predictors of decreased minimal erythema ultraviolet radiation dose

In a group of 190 white healthy subjects the skin type classification method was found valuable for differentiating subgroups with various degrees of sun sensitivity (except for 33% with borderline or unclassifiable skin type). Sun-sensitive skin types I and II were significantly more common among persons with light hair color or freckles, or both (p less than 0.001). In each skin type category the proportion of subjects with a minimal erythema dose (MED) lower than the median MED of the entire group (%LMED) decreased significantly with increasing skin type number, and distinguished between skin types I through III better than did their mean MED values. Independent predictors of %LMED were skin type and hair color. The contribution of freckles to %LMED was skin type dependent. Age, sex, or eye color had no independent effect on %LMED. The association of skin types I and II, red or blond hair, and freckles with decreased MED may reflect genetically controlled predominance of pheomelanin (a photosensitizing molecule) in the skin of subjects with these phenotypes.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with breast carcinoma

A case of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with breast carcinoma is presented. The patient had not been aware of her malignant disease and had consulted us after her dermatosis developed. To date only one case of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with malignancy has been described in the literature. The relationship between a dermatosis and a malignant internal disease is discussed.

Pemphigus in Families

Abstract: A family in which two sisters are affected by pemphigus is described. Literature research has revealed the presence of 25 families, comprising 53 patients, in which pemphigus existed in more than one member. The relationships between those affected were mainly parent‐child or sibling‐sibling. Pemphigus was found to be associated with specific HLA antigens: A26, Bw38, DRw4. and additionally occurred with a higher frequency in certain ethnic groups. The variety of etiologic factors in the pathogenesis of pemphigus is discussed and the significance of a genetic role elucidated. Pemphigus is a chronic bullous disease with an autoimmune etiology. The typical histologic characteristic is acantholysis with intraepidermal cleavage, and immunofluorescent studies show antibodies in the epidermal intercellular substance.

Congenital papillated apocrine cystadenoma: A mixed form of hidrocystoma, hidradenoma papilliferum, and syringocystadenoma papilliferum

Two small congenital tumors on the left thigh of an 8-year-old boy were excised. Their histologic picture was peculiar in that they presented features in common with apocrine hidrocystoma, syringocystadenoma papilliferum, and hidradenoma papilliferum.

Reactive Perforating Collagenosis

Abstract: Seven patients with reacting perforating collagenosis (RPC) were diagnosed from 1974 to 1982. Experimental production of lesions in two patients confirmed the contributory role of superficial trauma. The pathogenesis of RPC involves transepithelial elimination of altered collagenous bundles, This process may he observed in a wide variety of disparate skin diseases.

Factitial Dermatitis Induced by Application of Garlic

tender, dome-shaped granular ttimor believed to be an infected kerato-acanthoma,^ The biopsy specimen, however, showed features consistent with condyloma latum. The V,D,R,L, was strongly reactive, and the FTA-ABs were reactive, as well. The patient received two intramuscular injections of benzathine penicillin 2,4 MU 1 week apart. One month later, only slight postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was evident. The V,D,R,L, titer was 1:16 1 month later and 1:4 6 months later,

Sarcoidosis Versus Foreign‐Body Granulomas

ABSTRACT: A 42‐year‐old man developed a papulonodular exanthema 10 years following an injury from a shell explosion. The differential diagnosis between sarcoid‐like, foreign‐body granulomas and lioecks sarcoid was inconclusive by histology, but x‐ray spectroanslytic examination revealed silicon particles within the epitheloid cell granulomas.

Urticaria and fixed drug eruption in a patient treated with griseofulvin

We report a case of urticaria and fixed drug eruption ( FDE ) caused by griseofulvin. Although griseofulvin-induced urticaria is well documented, FDE secondary to griseofulvin is distinctly uncommon. Moreover, the appearance of urticaria and FDE in the same patient following treatment with griseofulvin is, we believe, the first to be described in the literature. The concept of FDE is briefly reviewed.

Contact Dermatitis due to Karaya Gum and Induced by the Application of Electrodes

I case 1, a 15-year-old woman who suffered from progressive mild idiopathic scoliosis, was treated with transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation. The electrical stimulus was applied during her sleep through surface contact with karaya electrode pads on the convex side of the curve of her spine, evoking muscle contractions that induced correction of the curvature (Fig. 1). Five days after the initiation of treatment, a red area of swelling accompanied by pruritis appeared at the site of the electrode placement (Fig. 2). Treatment was discontinued for 10 days and later reinstituted, obtaining the same effect. She was treated with 10 mg/day of prednisone for 5 days and then 5 mg/day for an additional 10 days. Due to her severe back pain, treatment with the electrode placement was attempted again, but the rapid deterioration in her skin condition made it necessary to discontinue treatment.