Arch Dermatol
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A 38-year-old woman had diffuse, nonnodular, lepromatous leprosy and Lucio's phenomenon. Most cases of Lucio's phenomenon have been reported to have a leukocytoclastic vasculitis as the underlying pathologic abnormality. ⋯ Lepra bacilli were abundant around nerves and blood vessels, and many were noted in vascular walls and endothelium. Our findings raise the possibility that some cases of Lucio's phenomenon may be caused by vascular damage due to direct invasion of Mycobacterium leprae and not necessarily by leukocytoclastic vasculitis.
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Infestation by the flea Tunga penetrans, although quite prevalent in Central America, South America, and Africa, is rarely recognized or reported in North America. This report describes a case of tungiasis occurring in a New York resident who acquired the disease in Africa. The patient manifested characteristic lesions of white papules with central black pits on the dorsa of her toes. Treatment consisted of removal of the offending parasites.
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The early history of tuberous sclerosis can be traced from European wax models of the skin lesions in the 1830s to its recognition as a systemic disease by the early 1900s. There are various origins for the terms used for tuberous sclerosis, including Pringle's disease, Bourneville's disease, adenoma sebaceum, and epiloia. Since these terms are confusing and inaccurate, we urge that they no longer be used.
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Notalgia paresthetica, possibly an isolated sensory neuropathy involving the posterior primary rami of thoracic nerves T2 through T6, and appearing as pruritus of the back, is apt to be encountered by both dermatologists and neurologists. Two cases illustrate this disorder.
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A patient with relapsing polychondritis associated with cutaneous vasculitis is described in detail. Clinically, a systemic chondritis complicated by conjunctivitis, iritis, otitis media, tracheal stenosis, sinusitis, and cutaneous vasculitis were observed in this case. Corticosteroids have been effective in controlling the clinical symptoms as well as the vasculitis.