Fingertip purpura in a dental student: an unusual manifestation of methyl methacrylate dermatitis.

Discussion | The term pseudolymphoma designates a group of reactive lymphocytic disorders that involve an inflammatory response to known or unknown stimuli simulating malignant lymphomas both clinically and histologically.2 To our knowledge only 2 cases of cutaneous multiple pseudolymphomas induced by H medicinalis have been reported.3,4 Smolle et al3 described multiple pseudolymphomas on the lower legs of a woman receiving leech therapy for venous insufficiency. More recently, Choi and Kim4 reported a similar case on the lower eyelids of a Japanese man who had infraorbital dark circles treated with H medicinalis. Medicinal leeches have historically been used as a nonconventional treatment for chronic venous insufficiency and are now frequently used in plastic surgery.5,6 In addition, less common applications such as osteoarthritis, muscular pains, or injuries have been reported.6 In conclusion, with the increasing popularity of traditional and alternative medicine, H medicinalis therapy is becoming increasingly popular, and we all need to be aware that pseudolymphoma represents a possible complication in this type of treatment.