Marina Rodríguez-Martín

Background: Vitiligo has been associated with multiple endocrine and immune conditions. Several laboratory tests have been assessed in this disease with controversial results. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the levels autoantibodies, basal glycaemia, vitamin B12, folic acid and thyroid function and its association with the diagnosis and outcome of vitiligo patients through a case-control study. Material and methods: This case-control study was performed on 196 consecutive patients with vitiligo referred to our Dermatology Department. As a control group, 160 healthy individuals without vitiligo or known history of immunologic/endocrine disease were included. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 17.0 statistical software package. Results: Clinical, analytical and demographic data have been recorded. Our results showed that anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody and anti-parietal gastric cell antibody could be useful laboratory markers in a subpopulation of vitiligo patients. However, testing anti-nuc...

Melanoma involving the conjunctiva is extremely rare. Graver prognosis has been reported with primary conjunctival melanoma than with their cutaneous counterparts [Collin et al.: Aust N Z J Ophthalmol 1986;14:29–34]. Among conjunctival melanomas, two significant risk factors for tumour-related death have been identified: (i) age older than 55 years and (ii) unfavourable tumour location (caruncle, cornea, fornix, palpebral conjunctiva) [Werschnik and Lommatzsch: Am J Clin Oncol 2002;25:248–255]. Here we present a rare case of lentigo maligna involving the palpebral, bulbar conjunctiva and the caruncle. We describe dermoscopic patterns observed and the use of a novel ocular melanoma therapy with topical imiquimod.

Eccrine spiradenoma (ES) is a benign uncommon tumor of skin adnexa with a characteristic clinical and histopathological presentation. Typically, it presents as a painful, slow growing and solitary nodule on the head or upper trunk in adult patients. We report a child with linear ES which presented with asymptomatic papulonodular lesions in a blaschkoid distribution on the face. Cases reported in the literature of multiple spiradenomas are very rare and multiple linear lesions are even rarer. To date, 21 cases of linear/multiple ES have been reported. Of these, eight were in children or adolescents. We report an additional case of this rare clinical presentation and review the literature.