September 2021 - Case of the Month
A 24-year-old woman presented with a several year history of evolving 'lumps' especially on the central chest. The lady had mild facial acne and was otherwise well.
A 27 year-old woman presented with a short history of blisters on her left index finger. The patient recalled a strange sensation in this area before the blisters appeared. The patient was otherwise well and took no medications, prescribed or over the counter. She had no pets, and had an office-based job.
A small group of clear vesicles with erythema on the affected finger. No other sites were involved.
What is the diagnosis?
The diagnosis is a herpetic whitlow ie herpes simplex.
In addition to the mouth and the genitalia, herpes simplex infections can arise in other parts of the body. In such cases lesions arise as vesicles, and sometimes bullae, either grouped as a plaque or scattered. Systemic upset tends to be minimal. Some well-described sites include the fingertips (a herpetic whitlow), where episodes can be recurrent, and on the face of rugby players, which is referred to as 'scrumpox'.
This case was diagnosed by bursting a vesicle and swabbing the contents with a viral swab.
For more information on herpes simplex infections please refer to the chapter on Herpes Simplex.
A 24-year-old woman presented with a several year history of evolving 'lumps' especially on the central chest. The lady had mild facial acne and was otherwise well.
A 52 year old man presented with a one year history of skin lesions predominantly on his hands, ears and scalp. He was also complaining of painful swollen fingers associated with morning stiffness. There was no family history of skin or joint problem...
A 72 year old man was referred with a rash, predominantly on the legs. The patient was systemically well and the lesions were only mildly symptomatic. The lesions presented as one to several at a time lasting several weeks. They had not res...
Welcome back to the new look PCDS website, and our first case. This lady was referred as a 2-week wait with a changing lesion on the right temple.
A 15 year old lady was referred for a diagnostic opinion for skin changes presenting in birth, affecting the right upper back, shoulder, antecubital fossa and dorsal wrist. The patient was asymptomatic and otherwise well.
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