Melanoma Masquerading as a Zosteriform Rash.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Primary care physicians and internists frequently diagnose skin rashes.
• Many common rashes present atypically, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
• Zosteriform rashes can mimic common dermatological conditions.

Observation:

• A patient presented with a zosteriform rash.
• The rash was initially suspected to be a common entity.
• A bedside skin punch biopsy was performed.

Findings:

• The true diagnosis was metastatic melanoma.
• Metastatic melanoma can present as a zosteriform rash.
• Possible mechanisms include cutaneous, neuronal, and dorsal root ganglia involvement.

Implications:

• Skin biopsy is crucial for diagnosing unclear or unresponsive rashes.
• Early diagnosis of metastatic melanoma is vital for patient outcomes.
• Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of zosteriform metastasis.