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Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas may cause death by metastasis or by local extension. We describe a deeply invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that caused death by direct extension into the brain.

Head lice remain a common problem worldwide. As resistance to available therapeutic agents can emerge rapidly, there is a need for continued research to find new and better agents. Until better agents are available, clinicians may find that rotational therapy, using different agents, may help to slow the emergence of resistance. Physical modalities, such as mechanical nit and louse removal and occlusive agents to asphyxiate the lice, should not be ignored, especially in light of our limited therapeutic armamentarium. All therapeutic agents are doomed to failure if infestation is allowed to recur. Classmates, playmates, and family members of infested children should be inspected for head lice. Efforts should be directed at fomite control and nit removal. Louse infestation must be addressed as a community-wide problem. Body lice remain important vectors of disease. War, natural disaster, and poverty favor the spread of body lice. As we work to solve these seemingly eternal problems, we must develop better agents to treat infestation and prevent the spread of body lice.

Agave americana is a low growing, thick, long-leaved, subtropical plant used for medicinal, commercial, and ornamental purposes. The plant's sap contains calcium oxalate crystals, acrid oils, saponins, and other compounds. Despite these known irritants, Agave-induced irritant dermatitis has rarely been reported. Previous case reports have noted a papulovesicular eruption consistent with an irritant contact dermatitis. We report a case of Agave-induced purpura in an otherwise healthy patient. Histopathology was consistent with an evolving leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

Palmoplantar pustulosis associated with sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis is characterized by asymmetrical and nonerosive involvement of the sternocostoclavicular joint, spine, and peripheral joints in association with palmoplantar pustulosis. This seronegative arthrosteitis has been most frequently described in the rheumatologic literature. Male and female patients are affect equally, but there tends to be a higher prevalence in Japan and Scandinavian countries. We present a case of 50-year-old man who presented with palmoplantar pustulosis that preceded his sternocostoclavicular hyperostotic symptoms by 1 to 2 years.

A case of bullous pemphigoid responding to niacinamide as monotherapy is reported. Clinically, the patient presented with bullous lesions localized to the left breast. She had a history of a left breast mastectomy for breast cancer. This was followed by radiation therapy to the left chest wall and delayed left breast reconstruction achieved with a transposition flap of the latissimus dorsi muscle. There have been reports of bullous pemphigoid treated with a combination of tetracycline and niacinamide. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of a case of bullous pemphigoid responding to niacinamide alone.

Perforating disorders in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), diabetes mellitus (DM), or both, may resemble any or all of the four classic cutaneous perforating disorders. However, due to the highly variable and overlapping histologic appearance of the lesions in patients with CRF, DM, or both, it may be useful to categorized these lesions as a distinct, yet encompassing process, termed by Rapini as acquired perforating dermatosis. We describe a patient with both CRF and DM with acquired perforating dermatosis.

We report the case of a woman from the Bahamas who presented with many of the classic manifestations of dermatomyositis. She responded well to initial therapy, which included oral corticosteroids, low-dosage methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine. The cutaneous component of her disease flared dramatically months later, and progressed despite aggressive therapy with the higher dosages of the same medications. Therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was initiated and the patient stopped forming new cutaneous ulcers within 1 to 2 weeks. Theories about the mechanism of action of IVIG, and practical guidelines for its use in treating patients with dermatomyositis, are briefly reviewed.

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa is a rare, chronic, deforming disorder characterized by hyperkeratosis and papillomatosis of the epidermis with underlying woody fibrosis of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Chronic lymphedema, either congenital or secondary to infection, surgery, radiation, neoplastic obstruction, obesity, portal hypertension, or chronic congestive heart failure, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis. Without appropriate intervention, the slowly progressive cutaneous changes will culminate in massive and grotesque enlargement of the affected body region. In the following case report, the natural history and the management of elephantiasis nostras are discussed.

Psoriatic nail involvement is common and usually accompanies other associated cutaneous or systemic lesions. The occurrence of psoriatic nail involvement has been noted in up to 50 percent of patients. There is no consistently effective therapy for psoriatic nail involvement. We report a beneficial response following a short course of topically applied 5 percent 5-fluorouracil cream.

Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma (SCH) is a rare vascular neoplasm characterized by cavernous spaces, thrombi, phleboliths, and spindle cells. The lesions may arise at sites of vascular injury. We describe a 38-year-old man with multiple subcutaneous and penile SCHs. Patients with SCH should be screened for Maffucci's syndrome.

Change is sweeping the nation's health care system. During this period of rapid change, the federal health care system-the nations's largest managed care system-may serve as a barometer for changes likely to occur in other managed care settings.

When an active patient has a mass on the Achilles tendon, fibroma of the tendon sheath should be in the differential diagnosis along with other tumors and benign conditions like inflammation or rupture. A case report demonstrates how the clinical characteristics of fibromas resemble other common tendon tumors, such as giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath. A histologic exam is needed to distinguish a fibroma of the tendon sheath from other tumors. Plain films should be considered to rule out bony involvement. Surgical excision is required. Patients should know that fibromas recur in 25% of those who have them removed.

The cause of lichen planus is unknown. Oral erosive lichen planus has been reported in association with liver disease. We describe a patient with chronic hepatitis C acquired through a blood transfusion with subsequent development of widespread hypertrophic lichen planus.

A 24-year-old man presented to a dermatology clinic complaining of a "smelly" rash on his feet. The rash had developed during a period of intense training for a 20-km forced road march. He reported that the rash was asymptomatic, but that the odor was embarrassing at times.

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is rare in black persons. We describe an 11-year-old black boy with NBCCS who presented with exotropia and a painful, expanding, cystic mass in the left posterior alveolar ridge. Further examination revealed odontogenic keratocysts with palmar and plantar pitting. Less than 5% of reported patients with NBCCS are black. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a black patient with NBCCS presenting with exotropia and an impacted molar displaced into the orbit by an odontogenic keratocyst.

We present an infant born with bilaterally symmetric, anterior and posterior port-wine stains. These lesions presented a striking resemblance to Rorschach inkblots, a phenomenon not previously reported. A discussion of the case as well as a discussion of syndromes associated with port-wine stains is provided.

A residential gardener complained of immediate stinging when a "fuzzy tan caterpillar" fell across his fingers. He presented with painful hemorrhagic papules on the dorsal aspect of his right hand. Lepidopterism from contact with Megalopyge opercularis is described.

A case of allergic contact dermatitis to a keyboard wrist rest containing neoprene is reported. The patient, who had a history of sensitivity to rubber products, developed an acute vesicular reaction of the palmar aspects of her distal wrists, followed by eczematous patches of her extremities and face. Treatment with prednisone, a 3-week tapering dose (60, 40, 20 mg), cleared the dermatitis. The widespread uses of neoprene are discussed and suggest that neoprene will become a common source of contact dermatitis as the potential sources of exposure increase.

Background: When biopsy specimens lack a "swarm of bees" peribulbar lymphoid infiltrate, the diagnosis of alopecia areata depends on the recognition of other histologic features of the disease., Objective: Our objective was to determine the frequency of the presence of eosinophils in biopsy specimens of alopecia area'a in relation to the other major histologic features of the disease., Methods: Biopsy specimens from 71 patients with alopecia areata were studied., Results: Eosinophils were present in 38 of the 71 cases. A peribulbar lymphoid infiltrate was absent in 27 of the 71 cases. Eosinophils were present in 13 of these cases. Multiple catagen hairs and pigment casts (features which may lead to confusion with trichotillomania) were present in 39 cases. The presence of eosinophils was found to be a helpful diagnostic feature in cases with potential for misdiagnoses as trichotillomania., Conclusion: Eosinophils are common in all stages of alopecia areata, both within the peribulbar infiltrate and within fibrous tracts. A "swarm of bees" peribulbar infiltrate may be absent. The presence of eosinophils is a helpful diagnostic feature of alopecia areata.

A wide range of infectious, neoplastic, and inflammatory dermatoses can affect the glans penis or prepuce. Some are unique to the genitalia. Other more common dermatoses may have a unique appearance when they involve genital skin and mucosa. A thorough understanding of regional anatomy and a systematic diagnostic approach are helpful in the management of a refractory penile dermatosis. We review embryology and regional anatomy, drug-induced eruptions, allergic and irritant dermatitis, infection, neoplasia, and traumatic and inflammatory dermatoses as they relate to the glans and prepuce. Our discussion focuses on the clinical features, office laboratory studies, and histopathologic findings that assist in diagnosis and treatment.

Acrospiromas are cutaneous tumors of sweat duct differentiation. They usually present as slowly enlarging 1 to 2 cm nodules in middle-aged or older adults without site predilection. On histologic examination they are multilobular dermal masses composed of a biphasic cell population. Acrospiromas are benign, and treatment consists of surgical excision.

Background: Traditional vertical sections of scalp biopsy specimens contain few hair follicles. For this reason transverse sections of scalp biopsy specimens have been advocated. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. We have developed a simple method that we believe offers the best of both methods., Objective: Our purpose was to assess the impact of combining vertical and transverse sections of scalp biopsy specimens., Methods: Two 4 mm punch biopsies are performed. One specimen is bisected vertically: half for hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) staining, half for direct immunofluorescence. The second specimen is bisected transversely and submitted for H-E. The three pieces of tissue for H-E staining are embedded in a single cassette., Results: Because a biopsy specimen for direct immunofluorescence is commonly obtained in cases of alopecia, our method does not add a surgical procedure. All three pieces of tissue for H-E staining are embedded in a single paraffin block. Therefore the cost of histologic interpretation is not increased. Our diagnostic yield improved. Transverse sections were superior in cases of lupus erythematosus and lichen planopilaris with focal follicular involvement. Features of the follicular degeneration syndrome were also best demonstrated in transverse sections. Interface changes, lupus panniculitis, miniaturized hairs, and trichomalacia were better demonstrated in vertical sections., Conclusion: Our method exploits the advantages of both vertical and transverse sections and improves diagnostic yield without increasing cost.

In brief A variety of dermatologic problems affect the hands and feet of active patients, often producing significant pain and disability. Traumatic disorders include friction blisters, calcaneal petechiae, subungual hemorrhage, and plezogenic papules. Infectious disorders include hot tub folliculitis, swimming pool granuloma, tinea pedis, warts, and herpetic whitlow. Athletic shoe dermatitis is a common allergic disorder, and hand eczema is a common disorder with a strong hereditary component. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can minimize morbidity. Some traumatic disorders can be prevented.

A middle-aged woman with common variable immunodeficiency noted a papular skin eruption that simulated Gottron's sign of dermatomyositis on the dorsal hands. Examination of a skin biopsy specimen demonstrated noninfectious granulomatous inflammation. The patient was subsequently found to have visceral granulomas when examined using laparotomy. Noninfectious granulomas of the viscera and integument have been previously reported in patients with several immunodeficiency syndromes, including common variable immunodeficiency.

We present a study of aluminum tattoos that resulted from aluminum chloride cauterization of biopsy sites. The stippled macrophages were studied by light and electron microscopy and by means of X-ray energy spectroscopy (XES) analysis. The light microscopic appearance may be striking, and may mimic the appearance of parasitized histiocytes, although the particles are larger and vary in size and shape. The basophilic particles are electron dense by electron microscopy. XES analysis demonstrated distinct emission peaks corresponding to aluminum, calcium, and phosphorus. Only a minor chloride emission peak was identified. The particles may represent an inorganic precipitate or an organic compound in which aluminum, calcium, and phosphate form a complex with protein.

We report a schwannoma with well differentiated ducts resembling cutaneous sweat ducts. The tumor presented as a painless mass near the left knee of a 41-year-old female. The mass had been present for many years. Some increase in size had been noticed over the previous 2 to 3 yr. The bulk of the tumor was composed of spindle cells with the appearance of Antoni A and Antoni B tissue. Rare mitotic figures were noted. In several areas of the tumor, numerous well-differentiated ducts were present. Most resembled normal cutaneous sweat ducts. In some areas, cystic dilatation of the ducts was present. Focal areas demonstrated poorly formed ducts and single cells with prominent nuclei and ample cytoplasm. Well formed ducts, poorly formed ducts, and single cells marked with AE 1/3 (keratin) and epithelial membrane antigen. The spindle cell proliferation marked for S 100 protein and vimentin. Sweat duct differentiation has not been reported previously in either benign or malignant schwannoma. Light and electron microscopic features of this tumor are presented.