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Necrolytic Migratory Erythema: Case Report and Clinical Review

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery: Incorporating Medical and Surgical Dermatology

Abstract

Background: Necrolytic Migratory Erythema (NME) is a rarely encountered dermatologic condition. It is the characteristic feature of a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors. A case of NME initially diagnosed and treated as psoriasis is reviewed. A review of the current literature regarding NME is also included. Objective: The purpose of this report is to familiarize dermatologists with a rare and potentially fatal disorder. Early recognition of NME can lead to possible cure, while delayed identification of the disease is associated with metastatic disease and a poor prognosis for the patient. Conclusion: When evaluating the patient who presents with a dermatitis and weight loss, it is important to exercise great caution. The differential diagnosis should be reevaluated in a disease that is not responsive to first-line therapy before further treatment is considered.

Sommaire

Antécédents: L’érythème migrateur nécrolytique (ÉMN) est une dermatite rare qui est la principale caractéristique d’un syndrome paranéoplasique associé à des tumeurs neuroendocrines du pancréas. Le présent article passe en revue un cas d’ÉMN diagnostiqué et traité initialement comme un cas de psoriasis, et donne un aperçu des publications actuelles sur les ÉMN. Objectif: L’objectif du rapport est de familiariser les dermatologues avec un trouble rare qui peutétre mortel. Le diagnostic précoce de 1’ÉMN peut conduire à une guérison possible alors qu’un retard à identifier la condition est associé à une maladie métastatique et à un pronostic sombre. Conclusion: Il est important de procéder avec grande prudence dans l’évaluation d’un patient présentant une dermatite accompagnée d’une perte de poids. Le diagnostic différentiel doit étre réévalué avant de considérer un autre traitement lorsque le patient ne réagit pas au traitement de première ligne.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    David N. Adam

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Paul D. Cohen & R Gary Sibbald

  3. Department of Pathology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Danny Ghazarian

Authors
  1. David N. Adam
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  2. Paul D. Cohen
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  3. R Gary Sibbald
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  4. Danny Ghazarian
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David N. Adam.

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Adam, D.N., Cohen, P.D., Gary Sibbald, R. et al. Necrolytic Migratory Erythema: Case Report and Clinical Review . JCMS 7, 333–338 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-002-0127-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-002-0127-0

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