To the Editor.—
Mehregan's histiopathologic concept of "transepithelial elimination"1 (TE) has been sporadically or consistently observed in an increasing number of dermatoses. I recently observed TE of retained suture material via a hair follicle.
Report of a Case.—
A 68-year-old woman had a basal cell carcinoma excised from the tip of her nose. The elliptical wound was primarily closed with an absorbable, braided polyglycolic acid suture for subcuticular approximation and a monofilament nylon thread for surface suture. The superficial sutures were completely removed four days later. Histologic examination showed the tumor extending to the margin of the excised specimen. Twenty-four days after the original procedure, reexcision of the area was undertaken.Histologic examination of the second specimen disclosed no residual tumor. In the dermis, a granulomatous foreign-body reaction was seen enveloping a dilated hair follicle (Fig 1). The follicular infundibulum was filled with bluish-staining amorphous material, cell debris, brown