Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42274826›Full record

ArticleHead and neck pathology2026

Cocaine-Induced Plasma Cell Dermatomucositis (CI-PCDM): Clinical and Histopathological Features of a UK Cohort.

Grigorios Thermos, Emily Morrison, Laura Cuddy, Waseem Ghumra, Konstantinos Paraschou, Catherine Brophy, Arun Takhar, Theofano Tikka, Paris Tamiolakis, Nitin Khirwadkar

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in Head and neck pathology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Grigorios ThermosCellular Pathology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, Liverpool, UK. G.Thermos@liverpool.ac.uk.
Emily MorrisonDermatology, Broadgreen Hospital, University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, Liverpool, UK.
Laura CuddyDermatology, Broadgreen Hospital, University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, Liverpool, UK.
Waseem GhumraDermatology, Broadgreen Hospital, University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, Liverpool, UK.
Konstantinos ParaschouENT/Head and Neck surgery, St George's Hospital, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Catherine BrophyENT/Head and Neck surgery, St George's Hospital, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Arun TakharENT/Head and Neck surgery, St George's Hospital, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Theofano TikkaENT/Head and Neck surgery, St George's Hospital, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Paris TamiolakisHead and Neck Pathology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Nitin KhirwadkarCellular Pathology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, Liverpool, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCocaine-induced plasma cell dermatomucositis (CI-PCDM) is an emerging clinical entity involving ulcerated, nodular lesions of the nasolabial region. While it shares some clinical features with other cocaine-induced midline disorders, CI-PCDM is increasingly recognized as a distinct inflammatory process characterized by specific histological patterns.

methodsThis retrospective, multi-center case series identified six patients from two UK pathology archives. Data were retrieved from electronic records and medical photography, while histopathology and immunohistochemistry reports were reviewed to evaluate diagnostic features and exclude alternative pathologies.

resultsThe cohort consisted of five males and one female (mean age 50.3 years). Patients typically presented with exophytic, ulcerated masses in the nasolabial area. Cocaine exposure was confirmed in all cases through clinical history or toxicology. Histology consistently revealed dense, polyclonal plasmacytic infiltrates in perivascular and periadnexal distributions. Serological and immunohistochemical variations were noted, including instances of antibody positivity and altered protein ratios. Management strategies, including medical and surgical interventions, generally resulted in partial clinical improvement.

conclusionThis first UK-based case series highlights CI-PCDM as an emerging diagnostic challenge. The prominent cellular infiltrate may reflect a chronic, antigen-driven immune response, potentially related to localized cytokine activity triggered by cocaine and/or certain adulterants, such as benzocaine. The clinical presentation often mimics other common mucocutaneous lesions, necessitating thorough clinicopathological correlation. Increased clinical awareness is essential for accurate identification and for establishing optimal management protocols for affected patients.

Indexed as

CocaineCocaine-Related DisordersPlasma CellsAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesUnited KingdomCocaineCocaineDermatitisIgG4LevamisoleMucositisPlasma cells

Identifiers

PMID42274826
PMCPMC13260535

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.