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Unknown: A warm, painful nodule on the back

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Unknown: A warm, painful nodule on the back
Joyce Imuwahen Imahiyerobo-Ip1 MD MPhil, David Wartman2 MD, Jeoffrey Brennick2 MD, Michael Shane Chapman1 MD
Dermatology Online Journal 18 (8): 9

1. Section of Dermatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
2. Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire



Report of a case


Figure 1

A 67-year-old man presented with a complaint of a nodule on his back for approximately two months. On physical exam, a violaceous, warm, indurated, non-mobile, painful nodule measuring 3.5 x 2 cm was observed in the left infrascapular region (Figure 1).

Nine months prior to presentation, he was diagnosed with a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the left upper lobe, pT2NxMx, stage 1b. The tumor was removed via video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) wedge resection. Past medical history was also significant for severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a 112.5 pack/year smoking history.


Figure 2 Figure 3

A specimen was submitted for histopathologic examination (Figure 2 and 3).

What is your diagnosis?







© 2012 Dermatology Online Journal