As dermal dendritic cells play a role in the immune surveillance, their low densities in some lesions might be a key feature responsible for low cytokine local production and failure of imiquimod treatment. The combined apparent lack of Langerhans cell activation might suggest that both intraepidermal and intradermal compartments of antigen-presenting cells are affected in imiquimod-resistant lesions.

It is acknowledged that tumour thickness, ulceration and lymph node invasion are the most important prognostic factors for cutaneous melanomas. Other histopathological features may also be informative. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether immunohistochemical methods can improve the detection of satellite micrometastases in primary melanoma patients. In addition, the predictive value of cutaneous satellite micrometastases for sentinel lymph node involvement was evaluated. A total of 265 primary cutaneous melanomas and 68 of the respective sentinel nodes were studied using a panel of seven antibodies directed against melanocyte-related antigens. In 12.4% of the 265 cases, small satellite micrometastases were detected by immunohistochemistry. Sentinel lymph node metastases were found in 14% of the 68 cases. Invasion of the sentinel lymph node correlated with the presence of cutaneous satellite micrometastases. It is concluded that the presence of cutaneous satellite micrometastases may be an indication for the performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy, and this finding calls for a closer follow-up of these patients.

We report a 29-year-old pregnant woman who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis at 29 weeks of gestation after administration of ritodrine, indomethacin and betamethasone. Toxic epidermal necrolysis is an unreported side effect of this widely used combination of medications. Since toxic epidermal necrolysis is a potentially fatal disease, awareness of a possible association is warranted.

Melanotic schwannoma is rare and curable by surgery. It must not be confused with malignant melanoma and other pigmented neoplasms. The Carney complex should be carefully ruled out.