Dermatologic disorders of the umbilicus are by no means rare. However, there recently came under my observation a patient with a condition which I had not previously seen. A search of the literature revealed only few reports concerning this entity, none of these being in the dermatologic literature. Its rarity prompted the publication of this article.
Report of a Case
The patient, a 35-year-old white man, was first seen on Nov. 30, 1956, with the chief complaint of a discharge from the navel. He stated that about five months previously he had become aware of a foul-smelling discharge from the affected area. He subsequently consulted his family physician, who prescribed a solution of methylrosaniline chloride (gentian violet), which proved to be of no value. Pain was never present.
Physical examination revealed erythema and slight tenderness of the umbilicus without any definite induration. The umbilical cavity was much deeper