ABSTRACT
Background@#Biologics have been increasingly used in the treatment of severe psoriasis. However, evidence regarding the results of tuberculosis (TB) screening and risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) during treatment with biologics is conflicting. @*Objective@#We aimed to assess the prevalence of LTBI in patients with severe psoriasis who were treated with biologics (anti-tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-12/23, IL-17, and IL-23) and to evaluate the rate of conversion of interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) during treatment with biologics at a single medical center. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with severe psoriasis who were treated with biologics (n=118) and had results for ≥2 IGRA (n=76). Data including demographics, age, sex, previous therapy for psoriasis, and type of ongoing treatment were collected for each patient. @*Results@#Among the 118 patients included in the study, 30 (25.4%) were diagnosed with LTBI before the initiation of biologics, 25 (83.3%) were male, and only five patients were aged below 40 years. After treatment with biologics for an average duration of 2.4 years, there was no active tuberculosis infection in 76 patients, but eight patients (10.5%) showed positive conversion of IGRA. @*Conclusion@#Altogether, 10.5% of the patients with psoriasis who were undergoing treatment with biologics exhibited IGRA conversion. Periodic follow-up is crucial to avoid severe infectious complications during prolonged use of these agents, especially in patients with risk factors for tuberculosis or in patients aged above 50 years.
ABSTRACT
Bowen's disease usually manifests as a slowly enlarging erythematous scaly patch or plaque. An uncommon variant of Bowen's disease showing a verrucous appearance has been reported and a distinct variant with a prominent clear cell change on histopathology, in addition to a verrucous surface change, was also reported. We describe novel form of Bowen's disease having a cerebriform appearance and showing histopathologically a significant clear cell change and propose that the clinical term “lobulated Bowen's disease” would be compatible for the description of this unique clinical variant. From a histopathological point of view, the precise definition and etiopathogenesis of the clear cell change in Bowen's disease should be elucidated.
Subject(s)
Bowen's DiseaseABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Odontogenic cutaneous fistula appears as dimpling or a nodule with purulent discharge, usually in the chin or jaw. Affected patients usually seek help from dermatologists or surgeons rather than from dentists. However, clinical symptoms of facial skin fistula without dental problems can lead to misdiagnosis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with odontogenic cutaneous fistulas. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was performed at Chungbuk National University Hospital by analyzing patients who visited from April 1994 to September 2014. Following clinical and radiographic examinations, the paths and origins of sinus fistulas were determined. Investigated factors were gender, age, morphology, location, originating tooth, time to evolution, recurrence, and treatment method. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (22 males, 11 females; average age 49.2 years) were examined during the investigation period. Thirty-four fistulas were diagnosed as odontogenic cutaneous fistulas. The most common morphology was dimpling (n=14, 41.2%). The various locations observed were related to the originating tooth. The most common site was the mandibular body related to mandibular molars. The referral clinical diagnosis was of odontogenic origin in 6 cases (18.2%). The majority of patients had experienced recurrence after treatment in previous clinics that had failed to diagnose odontogenic cutaneous fistula. Surgical fistulectomy and/or tooth treatment were performed in all cases. All patients were followed-up for 1 year. None showed signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Extraoral and dental examinations are required to make a diagnosis of odontogenic cutaneous fistula. Thus, cooperation between dermatologists and dentists is essential.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Chin , Cutaneous Fistula , Dentists , Diagnosis , Diagnostic Errors , Fistula , Jaw , Methods , Molar , Observational Study , Recurrence , Referral and Consultation , Retrospective Studies , Surgeons , ToothABSTRACT
A 64-year-old female presented with a 1-year history of livedo-like erythematous patches and plaques around the surgical scar on the left knee. Examinations revealed poorly demarcated, erythematous, indurated patches and plaques, with mild tenderness overlying the medial and inferior portion of the surgical scar. Histopathology revealed a mixed dermal infiltrate with glomeruloid intravascular accumulation of histiocytes and neutrophils. Histiocytes were identified by immunostaining for CD68. Immunostains for CD31 and D2-40 confirmed the intra-lymphatic location of the histiocytes. Recently, there have been several case reports of erythematous patches around the joints, which histopathologically show histiocytic aggregations in dermal vessels. Intra-lymphatic histiocytosis is a rare group of skin diseases characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes in the vessel lumen. Although the pathogenesis of intra-lymphatic histiocytosis is unknown, a role for lymphatic stasis secondary to chronic inflammation or surgery has been suggested. We present the case of a 64-year-old female who developed a tender rash on her left knee 1 year after orthopedic metal implants. To our knowledge, this is the first case of intra-lymphatic histiocytosis reported in association with a metal implant in the Korean dermatologic literature.