We report a case of drug hypersensibility syndrome (DRESS syndrome) developed one month after initiation of a treatment by sulfasalazine. Due to the severity of the cytolytic hepatic damages as observed in this case, we emphasize the importance of suggesting this diagnosis in any patient developing a cutaneous rash and an alteration of the general health status after initiation of a new treatment. The hematologic alterations which represent a key feature for the diagnosis may rash. develop only a few days after the cutaneous rash.

Nous rapportons un cas d'hypersensibilite medicamenteuse (syndrome DRESS) apparu un mois apres l'instauration d'un traitement par sulfasalazine. Au vu de la severite de l'atteinte hepatique cytolytique observee dans ce cas, nous soulignons la necessite de toujours evoquer ce diagnostic chez tout patient qui developpe un rash cutane dans un contexte d'alteration de l'etat general, quelques semaines apres l'instauration d'un nouveau traitement. Les alterations hematologiques qui constituent un element important du diagnostic peuvent ne se develoDoer que plusieurs jours apres le debut du rash cutane.

A number of relationships exist between diabetes mellitus and a series of cuteanous disorders. Skin lesions may reveal diabetes in a more or less specific way. They may also represent complications supervening in an already treated diabetic patient. Some of these dermatoses (acanthosis nigricans, purpuric and pigmented capillaritis) are markers of macrovascular complications. The same disorders and some others (xerosis, Dupuytren's disease) are more frequently associated with microangiopathy in Type II diabetes. Other skin diseases (alopecia areata, vitiligo) are markers of auto-immunity in Type I diabetes.

Le lentigo malin est une forme particuliere de melanome cutane in situ developpe sur le visage de sujets âges. L'immunostimulant topique imiquimod peut detruire ce neoplasme avant qu'il n'exprime son potentiel invasif. Une surveillance clinique reguliere de la zone traitee doit etre poursuivie pendant au minimum 5 ans afin de deceler rapidement tout signe de recidive.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and topical imiquimod immunotherapy (TII) are two recently introduced treatment modalities for certain types of basal cell carcinomas (BCC). We present a review of the relevant literature and report our own findings regarding the efficacy and tolerance of PDT and TII in the treatment of BCCs. According to published studies, the cure rates range from 75-95% for PDT and 42-100% for TII, depending on treatment modalities and BCC type. In our observations, 13 patients with nodular or superficial BCCs were treated by PDT using two courses of 3-hour topical application of methyl aminolevulinate, followed by 8 minutes illumination (lambda = 634 nm, e = 37J/cm2). Biopsies were taken before and one month after PDT. Side effects including pain and crusting were assessed. Eight patients with superficial BCC were treated by TII using 3 monthly courses each consisting of 3 weekly applications for 3 weeks followed by one week out of treatment. Biopsies were taken before and after 3 months of TII. Adverse reactions including erythema, oozing, ulceration, and crusting were recorded. Clinico-histological cure was obtained in 12/13 PDT cases as assessed after 1 month, and in 6/8 TII cases after 3 months. Minimal pain during illumination and crust formation were observed in 7/13 and 3/13 PDT cases, respectively. Variable erythema, oozing, ulceration, and crusting were observed in all TII-treated lesions. It is concluded that PDT represents an active and well tolerated alternative treatment for both nodular and superficial BCCs. TII also shows activity, although the tolerance may be poor and cure needs a longer time to be obtained. The final cosmetic appearance was fine following both PDT and TII procedures. Both PDT and TII may leave intact neoplastic aggregates inside the skin. They cannot be clinically perceived, leading to unexpected recurrences. It is stressed that the currently available efficacy information about PDT and TII deals with short term follow-up periods. A 5-year follow-up must be awaited before drawing firm conclusions.

Any journey or stay in a tropical country can lead to a variety of diseases with exotic background. One of the symptoms is represented by localized or generalized pruritus. It is associated or not associated with primary cutaneous lesions.

Lentigo maligna is a special form of in situ cutaneous melanoma that develops on the face of sun worshipers. The topic immunostimulator imiquimod can destroy the neoplasm before it expresses its invasive potential. A strict clinical follow-up of the treated zone must be observed at least 5 years to detect any early sign of recurrence.

Skin and nails of the foot of sport practitioners of various disciplines are subjected to the effects of benign but invalidating pathologies. Microtraumatisms are frequently involved. Beside dermatomycoses and onychomycoses, a dozen of typical disorders are identified.

Slowing down ageing is a goal for a large part of the population. Some mercantile claims hold out bright prospects to DHEA. The effects of this hormone manifest themselves after intracrine conversion. In the skin, sebaceous glands enlarge and seborrhoea increases in post-menopausal women. No other effect is clinically discernable on the skin. At this level, DHEA does not show efficacy comparable to that of other anti-ageing compounds.