Robert P. Blereau, MD

Articles

Atypical Herpes Zoster

April 01, 2003

Several lesions had appeared 1 week earlier on the left distal thigh of a 47-year-old woman. The affected area featured erythema with irregular faded borders and central redness with very fine papules over the L3 dermatome. The indurated and tender central areas suggested inflammation or necrosis. There were no vesicles and there was no drainage.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma on the Hand

January 01, 2003

An 87-year-old woman sought treatment of what she described as a “bite” of 1 month’s duration. The pink, nodular lesion on the dorsum of the left hand had central superficial ulceration with yellow crusting at the web space between the thumb and index finger.

Three Cases of Hyperpigmentation of Pregnancy

September 01, 2002

Some degree of hyperpigmentationdevelops in most pregnantwomen. This coloration is more pronouncedin dark-skinned women; onnaturally pigmented areas, such as theareolae, perineum, and umbilicus; andon the axillae, inner thighs, and otherregions that are prone to friction.

Two Cases of Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy

September 01, 2002

Approximately 2 weeks earlier, a pruritic,papular eruption had developed overthe abdomen of a 33-year-old womanwho was 34 weeks' pregnant. Therash was confined mainly to the striaedistensae (Figure 3). Because thesite was severely pruritic, the patientwas unable to sleep. Based on theclinical presentation, pruritic urticarialpapules and plaques of pregnancy(PUPPP) was diagnosed.

Macular Amyloidosis

August 02, 2002

Two asymptomatic lesions that had been present for 1 year on the left upper chest of a 61-year-old man were excised. Pathologic examination revealed the raised, dark brown medial lesion to be an interdermal nevus; the lateral, light tan lesion with papules was a papillomatous interdermal nevus with primary macular amyloidosis.

Acquired Reactive Perforating Collagenosis on a Woman's Back

June 01, 2002

Highly pruritic, 2- to 4-mm, papular lesions with central ulceration erupted on the back of a 66-year-old woman. She had had 2 similar outbreaks in the past. The patient was taking conjugated estrogens, alprazolam, and alendronate.

Chronic Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: Impetigo Mimic

April 02, 2002

Numerous plaques, some with yellow crusting and central scarring, had erupted primarily on the face and neck of a 46-year-old man. A single lesion had developed on his left elbow as well. The lesions were initially diagnosed as impetigo, but they failed to resolve after 2 courses of oral cephalexin.

Pilomatrixoma in an Infant

March 01, 2002

A 0.5-cm mass with overlying erythema on the forehead of a 5-monthold girl was first noticed after she had been hit on the head with a rattle. Excision of the mass was deferred because it was considered to be a hemangioma.