Ted Rosen, MD

November 09, 2012

An 88-year-old woman sought medical attention for a nodule on the anterior surface of her left foreleg that had gradually developed.

November 09, 2012

This large bruise developed after the patient had an accident in her yard. Post-traumatic subcutaneous hematomas are common in elderly women, especially those who are anticoagulated. Untreated, the hematoma can eventuate into an abscess and even sepsis.

November 01, 2012

This lesion looks like basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, but biopsy showed it to be an idiopathic inflammatory disorder of the external ear. Skin cancers of the pinna are rarely painful, as this lesion was.

November 01, 2012

This uncommon benign entity closely mimics squamous cell carcinoma, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and advanced actinic keratoses. The lichenoid keratosis does not transform into skin cancer.

October 23, 2012

The only impressive thing about this lesion was a “notch” in its superior pole, and some mild pigment heterogeneity. Prudent caution proved extremely beneficial. The history of a “new” lesion in a patient with almost no visible nevi, along with some very subtle gross features, led to early recognition and elimination of a malignant melanoma.

October 23, 2012

It is often surprising how wide and how deep skin cancers have already spread, despite a relatively small-looking superficial component. This patient had a history of melanoma in situ.

October 17, 2012

Consider all relevant factors when deciding what steps to take with a pigmented lesion noticed by the patient or encountered during a routine physical examination.

October 17, 2012

Almost no benign disorder affecting nasal skin should bleed.

October 15, 2012

Always check the toenails for fungal infection after diagnosing tinea pedis, corporis, or cruris. The toenails may act as the source of infection and a reservoir, which may lead to reinfection after the cutaneous dermatophytosis is cleared.

September 27, 2012

The eccentric placement of a darker spot within the overall lesion should raise suspicion for melanoma. This lesion’s asymmetry is the most worrisome feature. The need for histologic examination is clear in such cases.