We can identify three main groups of cutaneous pigmented lesions that could be represented as melanoma precursors: (a) congenital melanocytic nevi, (b) dysplastic or atypical nevi, and (c) acquired melanocytic nevi. The occurrence of melanoma in small and intermediate congenital melanocytic nevi is very uncommon, but there is a high risk in large congenital melanocytic nevi, in particular those arising in the so-called "bathing trunk" distribution. It is very important to distinguish the familial dysplastic nevus syndrome, which is a strong risk factor for cutaneous melanoma, from not familial (sporadic) dysplastic nevus, in which the risk for melanoma would depend on the total number of melanocytic nevi, phototype, and on the relationship to environmental factors.

Parthenium dermatitis is a distressing dermatitis caused by the air borne allergen of the Compositae weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Uncommon presentations, newer insights in pathogenesis and management of this "scourge" are discussed in this article.

Although leprosy involves the oral cavity in up to 60% of the patients, examination of the oral cavity in leprosy clinics or oral health science clinics is often neglected. Oral involvement in leprosy can broadly be divided into non-specific and specific lesions. In this review, we discuss various oral manifestations in leprosy patients so as to increase the awareness about this aspect among dermatologists and dental surgeons.

Aim: To study the association of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and abnormal lipid profile in women above 40 years of age with psoriasis. Materials and Methods: Two hundred consecutive female patients with psoriasis attending private clinics were included. Complete general, systemic, and dermatological examinations were performed. Blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipid profile were recorded in all patients and the findings analyzed. Results: Of 200 patients, 45 were obese. Eighty-eight patients had diabetes mellitus and 29 had dyslipidemia of whom 13 and 18, respectively, were detected at the time of enrolment. All 25 patients with systemic hypertension were on treatment. A total of 177 (88.5%) patients had one or more comorbid conditions. This frequency is much higher when compared to other Indian studies where the sample included patients of both sexes.

Background: Chemical peels are the mainstay of a cosmetic practitioner's armamentarium because they can be used to treat some skin disorders and can provide aesthetic benefit. Objectives: To compare 15% TCA peel and 35% glycolic acid peel for the treatment of melasma. Material and Methods: We selected 30 participants of melasma aged between 20 and 50 years from the dermatology outpatient department and treated equal numbers with 15% TCA and 35% glycolic acid. Results: Subjective response as graded by the patient showed good or very good response in 70% participants in the glycolic acid group and 64% in the TCA group. Conclusions: There was statistically insignificant difference in the efficacy between the two groups for the treatment of melasma.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical patterns and associations of vitiligo, audiometric functions, and ocular involvement and to correlate the morphology, clinical behaviour and comorbidities associated with vitiligo. Settings and Design: For this prospective and cross-sectional study 80 self-reporting patients in the age group 7-75 years with vitiligo attending the outpatient department of Manipal hospital during the period August 2008 to February 2010 were selected and the data was analysed. Materials and Methods: The patients were subjected to detailed history, clinical examination and investigations [complete blood count (CBC), absolute eosinophil count (AEC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), vitamin B12 estimation, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and post prandial blood sugar (PPBS),antibody titre estimations that is antithyroid peroxidase (ATPA), antithyroglobulin (ATA), antinuclear antibodies (ANA),urine analysis], audiometric evaluation and ophthalmic examination. Statistical Analysis Used: The Fisher exact test has been used to find the significance of study parameters on categorical scale between two or more groups. Results: In the present series of 80 cases, 41 (51.25%) were males and 39 (48.75%) were females. The male to female ratio was 1.05:1. In our study 20% cases gave definite family history of vitiligo and patients in the age group of 20 - 30 years were the most commonly affected. Generalized vitiligo (31.3%) was the most common type followed by segmental (30%), focal (18.8%), acrofacial (8.8%), and mucosal vitiligo (11.3%). In the present study there was a high incidence of autoantibodies (22.5%), vitamin B12 deficiency (30%), hypothyroidism (11.3%), elevated absolute eosinophil count (16.3%), hypoacusis (10%) and retinal changes (8.8%). This suggests multisystem autoimmunity in vitiligo.

Psoriasis vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid (BP) represent two clinically well-characterized, chronic, inflammatory skin conditions. The concomitant occurrence of these two entities in a patient is rare. Here we report a 57-year-old male suffering from psoriasis vulgaris for 15 years on irregular medication who noticed eruption of blisters all over the body. We believe that this is the first case report of psoriasis vulgaris coexistent with bullous pemphigoid in Indian literature. Please check where you want bullous pemphigoid and where you want psoriasis pemphigoides.

Mycosis Fungoides is a Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma characterized by infiltration of skin with patches, plaques, and nodules composed of T-lymphocytes. It is the most common type of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and accounts for almost 50% of all primary cutaneous lymphoma. Tumour d' emblee is the term used for the patient presenting with skin tumors not preceded by patches or plaques. We report a rare case of mycosis fungoides d' emblee variant with tumors of only 3 months duration without any preceding skin lesions.

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the faulty development of the ectodermal structure, resulting in most notably anhydrosis/hypohydrosis, hypotrichosis and hypodontia. The condition is usually an X-linked recessive disorder affecting predominantly males. We are here reporting a classical case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with a review of the literature.

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare, locally invasive mesenchymal tumor occurring usually in women of reproductive age, which carries a high risk for local relapse; hence the need to differentiate it from the other mesenchymal tumors occurring in this region. We describe a case of a 44-year-old female presenting with a large pedunculated swelling on the right labia majora.

Epidermal cyst is a very common benign cystic lesion of the skin. It is usual to find ulceration of the lining epithelium, rupture of the cyst wall with chronic inflammation and foreign body giant cell reaction. But, it is very rare to see an epidermal cyst with marked accumulation of melanin pigment. Only a few cases of pigmented epidermal cyst with dense collection of melanin pigment have been published in the literature. Here, we are reporting a case of ruptured epidermal cyst with keratin granuloma formation and showing dense collection of melanin pigment.

Disseminated cysticercosis is a parasitic infestation of pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. A 19-year-old female presented with multiple nodules all over her body since 12 months. Histopathology showed features suggestive of parasitic granuloma with multinucleated giant cells and plenty of eosinophils admixed with necrosis. Ultrasonography of these lesions showed multiple well-defined cystic lesions of varying size with a few specks of calcification. Cranial computed tomography scan showed bilateral, multiple, small hyperdense lesions in the supratentorial compartment. She was treated with oral albendazole and oral corticosteroids. This case is being reported because of its rare, disseminated nature with cutaneous, neural and ocular involvement.

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare neoplasm of the sebaceous gland. It is diagnosed mainly on histopathology and, clinically, it may mimic other neoplasms like squamous or basal cell carcinoma. We came across a patient presenting with a non-healing ulcer over the left temporo-parietal region of the scalp since 4 years and a single asymptomatic nodule over the occipital region since 3 years. Histopathology from an ulcer was pathognomonic of sebaceous carcinoma and that from a nodule was suggestive of proliferating trichilemmal cyst. The patient was screened for Muir Torre syndrome. We referred the patient to the oncologist for further management, where the patient was advised complete excision of the lesion.

Dermatitis artefacta (DA) is a psychocutaneous disorder where the skin lesions are self self-induced to satisfy an unconscious psychological or emotional need. We report a case of DA where we video recorded the patient self-inducing the lesions.

Piebaldism is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of melanocyte development characterized by a congenital white forelock and multiple symmetrical stable hypopigmented or depigmented macules. We report a family with piebaldism affecting three successive generations and also review the literature.