To cite: Musumeci ML, Lacarrubba F, Santagati C, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/bcr-2013200740 DESCRIPTION A 3-week-old Asian male newborn (42 weeks gestation, normal spontaneous vaginal delivery) presented for evaluation of multiple congenital greyish-blue macules. Dermatological examination showed a large grey to light-grey patch with undefin...

A 63-year-oldwomanwas referred to our hospital for further investigation of a gastric mucosal abnormality in an upper gastrointestinal series. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) demonstrated two areas of flat, widespread blackish pigmentation situated 30 to 33cm, and 34 to 38cm from the incisor teeth (●" Fig.1), and no gastric mucosal abnormality. Distinguishing malignant melanoma from diffuse me...

I read with interest the excellent article about primary dermal melanoma that was recently published in your journal. While the authors did not specify the stage of the melanoma case they reported, they seemed to imply that it was stage IV. The pathogenesis of tumors such as the one described, however, is not clear. There are several mutually nonexclusive hypotheses that can explain the presenc...

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an extremely rare disease with non-specific clinical presentations and radiological findings. We are presenting a case of 40 years old female admitted to the hospital complaining of dysphasia and weight loss. Esophagoscopy revealed an irregular fungating mass at the lower one third of the esophagus. The tumor was diagnosed provisionally as poorly d...

I read with interest the excellent article about primary dermal melanoma that was recently published in your journal. While the authors did not specify the stage of the melanoma case they reported, they seemed to imply that it was stage IV. The pathogenesis of tumors such as the one described, however, is not clear. There are several mutually nonexclusive hypotheses that can explain the presenc...

induces melanocytic hyperplasia in susceptible patients. J Am Acad Dermatol 33:577–583, 1995 Hachiya A, Kobayashi A, Ohuchi A, Takema Y, Imokawa G: The paracrine role of stem cell factor/c-kit signaling in the activation of human melanocytes in ultraviolet-B-induced pigmentation. J Invest Dermatol 116:578–586, 2001 Heissig B, Hattori K, Dias S, et al: Recruitment of stem and progenitor cells fr...

Humans are exposed to arsenic (As) primarily from air, food and water. However, elevated inorganic As in drinking water is the major cause of As toxicity. Most of the reports of chronic As toxicity in man focus attention on skin manifestations because of its diagnostic specificity, but As often affects most systems of the body. The clinical manifestations of chronic As intoxication are dependen...

T he management of large congenital melanocytic nevi (LCMN) has received significant attention in the medical literature during the past decade. Unfortunately, this is a topic where the ‘‘art’’ of medicine has filled the void created by the lack of ‘‘science.’’ One of the problems with collecting data regarding therapeutic options in LCMN is that the condition is rare. The ‘‘watch and wait’’ ap...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Laser procedures in skin of color (SOC) patients are challenging due to the increased risk of dyspigmentation and scarring. A novel 755 nm alexandrite picosecond laser has demonstrated effectiveness for tattoo removal and treatment of acne scars. No studies to date have evaluated its applications in pigmentary disorders. The purpose of this retrospective study was to e...