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Béatrice Crickx

Publications and source records attributed to Béatrice Crickx.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor presenting as a subcutaneous tissue mass.

Extragonadal germ cell tumors most commonly arise in the midline of the retroperitoneum or the mediastinum. Primary tumors involving the skin are very rare. Only one case of malignant primary germ cell tumor located in the skin has been reported. We present the case of a 44-year-old white man with a primary subcutaneous mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. This man had a long-lasting subcutaneous lump of the breast, which became painful. Surgery revealed 3 juxtaposed nodules. Microscopic examination showed a mixed germ cell tumor with a 90% immature teratoma component and a 10% embryonal carcinoma component. Testicular ultrasound and computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and brain were normal. Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin, beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin, alpha-fetoprotein, and lactate dehydrogenase were within normal ranges. A further surgical excision was performed. The patient is presently alive with no evidence of disease after a follow-up of 7 years. Review of the literature indicates that primary cutaneous extragonadal germ cell tumors usually occur as cutaneous or subcutaneous solitary nodules or as ulcerated lesions. They mainly consist of mature teratomas in children. Only 2 cases have been reported in adults.

Adult↗

Association between endothelin receptor B nonsynonymous variants and melanoma risk.

The endothelin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in melanocyte differentiation and migration. In this study, we investigated whether germline mutations of endothelin receptor B (EDNRB), a gene involved in Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), could also predispose for malignant melanoma (MM). The coding region of EDNRB was sequenced in 137 MM patients and in 130 ethnically matched Caucasian control subjects. Six nonsynonymous EDNRB variants were found in 15 patients (11%), but only two were found in four control subjects (3%, odds ratio [OR] = 3.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25 to 12; P = .012). Overall, 14 out of 15 MM patients carried EDNRB mutations reported in HSCR, some of which had previously been shown to lead to loss of function. In multivariable logistic regression analysis including skin type, eye and hair color, number of nevi, and dorsal lentigines (freckles), the association between EDNRB mutations and MM risk remained statistically significant (OR = 19.9, 95% CI = 1.34 to 296.2; P = .03). Our data strongly suggest that EDNRB is involved in predisposition for two different multigenic disorders, HSCR and melanoma.

Adult↗

[Cytosteatonecrosis of the newborn infant].

CHARACTERISTICS: Cytosteatonecrosis of the newborn (CSNN) is an acute hypodermatitis that appears within the first four weeks of life. It essentially develops in infants born at term or postmature, and following a difficult delivery. THE LESIONS: The lesions are more or less extended sub-cutaneous nodules or inflammatory plaques on the body that regress spontaneously, without after effects, within one to four months. A cutaneous biopsy, rarely required for diagnosis, reveals a granulomatous reaction to a foreign body in a necrosed subcutaneous adipose tissue. EVOLUTION: Although the progression is generally benign, it may be complicated by the occurrence of hypercalcemia. The management of these infants justifies the regular monitoring of blood calcium levels and treatment of an eventual hypercalcemia.

Adipose Tissue↗

Immunohistochemical analysis of EGFR and HER-2 in patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin often raise difficult therapeutic problems. Few data are available about the expression of EGFR and HER-2 in SCC of the skin. Overexpression of EGFR and of HER-2 proteins has been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of EGFR and HER-2 in a series of metastatic SCC of the skin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: EGFR and HER-2 expression was studied by immunochemistry on 13 specimens of metastatic recurrence and on 2 primary lesions of these tumours. RESULTS: EGFR had a strong membranous expression in all specimens. HER-2 was weakly expressed in 4 specimens, with a membrane expression in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: In the present study, EGFR was overexpressed in all samples of metastatic SCCs of the skin. Therefore, these metastatic tumours appear to be suitable targets for treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Additional studies are warranted to establish whether or not HER-2 is expressed in SCC of the skin.

Adult↗

Association of hypogammaglobulinemia with DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms).

The association of hypogammaglobulinemia was recently reported in anticonvulsant-associated DRESS. Hypogammaglobulinemia could be the consequence of hypoproteinemia in patients with erythroderma. To ascertain the association of hypogammaglobulinemia with DRESS we compared the prevalence of hypogammaglobulinemia in DRESS and in other cause of erythroderma. In a retrospective study, 39 consecutive patients with DRESS were compared to 52 patients with other causes of erythroderma hospitalized in the same period. Hypogammaglobulinemia was statistically significantly associated with DRESS (p = 0.022). This association was not limited to anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepin) and was observed with other drugs (allopurinol, tazocillin, ibuprofen, celecoxib, vancomycin).

Agammaglobulinemia↗