No abstract

Acute haemorrhagic oedema (AHO) of infancy is a cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis, clinically characterized by the acute development of peripheral oedema and targetoid purpuric lesions on the face and extremities. It usually affects children younger than 2 years of age. The disorder follows a benign course usually without recurrence or long-term complication. In most cases the origin is not clear, but underlying infections are assumed to play an aetiological role. We describe a 7-month-old boy whose clinical and histopathological features are typical of AHO. Serological tests clearly demonstrated a primary infection for cytomegalovirus (CMV). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of AHO associated with CMV infection.

Erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is characterized by slowly enlarging annular erythematous lesions. Although the origin is not clear in most cases, EAC has been associated with infections, medications, and in rare cases, underlying malignancy. We describe a patient who developed annular erythematous lesions after etizolam administration. The eruptions were typical of the superficial form of EAC, both clinically and histopathologically. The lesions disappeared shortly after discontinuation of the medication. Patch testing with etizolam gave positive results. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of etizolam-induced superficial EAC.

Xanthoma disseminatum (XD) is a rare benign mucocutaneous xanthomatosis that is classified as a benign non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. We report a 68-year-old man who presented with peculiar, large plaques confined to the back 7 years after the onset of cranial diabetes insipidus. Histopathological features of the cutaneous lesions were typical of XD. The patient had lower respiratory tract involvement with histiocytic infiltrates, which was unresponsive to various treatments and resulted in a fatal outcome. Gastrointestinal endoscopies revealed multiple xanthomas in the sigmoid colon and the rectum. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of intestinal xanthomas associated with XD.

In spite of the common use of the diagnostic category of lichen-planus-like contact dermatitis, we were unable to find established criteria for such a condition. An atypical distribution of otherwise typical lichen planus lesions is usually considered as a feature of a lichenoid eruption. When facing unusual or unexpected clinical features, it is always advisable to consider an adverse reaction to a medical intervention as a potential option. We report a lichen-planus-like eruption occurring after contact with a topical agent containing chlorpheniramine maleate. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of lichen-planus-like contact dermatitis associated with chlorpheniramine maleate.