Multiple pseudolymphomas caused by Hirudo medicinalis therapy.

Smolle, J; Cerroni, L; Kerl, H · J Am Acad Dermatol · 2000

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Therapy with medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) is now frequently applied in plastic surgery and in the management of chronic venous insufficiency. We observed a patient in whom firm, brown-red, pea-sized papules developed at each site where leeches had been applied on the lower legs. Histology, immunohistology, and molecular analysis of T-cell receptor and immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement proved these lesions to be follicular pseudolymphomas.

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