Skin manifestations associated with systemic diseases - Part I

Abstract The skin demonstrates what is happening in the body in many diseases, as it reflects some internal processes on the surface. In this sense, skin as an organ, goes beyond its protective and barrier functions, as it provides clues for the identification of some systemic diseases. The dermatologist then raises diagnostic hypotheses for conditions related to all systems and refers them to the appropriate specialty. With easy access to examination by trained eyes and biopsies, the skin can present specific or non specific alterations on histopathology. In the first case this combination establishes the diagnosis of the disease itself. Non specific manifestations can occur in a variety of contexts and then histopathology is not specific of a particular disease. This article is divided into two parts that will cover large groups of diseases. In this first part, cutaneous manifestations of the main rheumatologic diseases are described, which are the ones with the greatest interface with dermatology. The authors also talk about vascular manifestations and granulomatous diseases. In the second part, endocrinological, hematological, oncological, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal diseases, pruritus and its causes are discussed, and finally, the dermatological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. The authors' intention is that, by using direct and easily accessible language, aim to provide practical material for consultation and improvement to all dermatologists who recognize the importance of a comprehensive assessment of their patients.

Evaluation of treatment with carboxymethylcellulose on chronic venous ulcers

Abstract BACKGROUND: Among the chronic leg ulcers, venous ulcers are the most common and constitute a major burden to public health. Despite all technology available, some patients do not respond to established treatments. In our study, carboxymethylcellulose was tested in the treatment of refractory chronic venous ulcers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of carboxymethylcellulose 20% on the healing of chronic venous ulcers refractory to conventional treatments. METHODS: This is an analytical, pre-experimental study. Thirty patients were included with refractory venous ulcers, and applied dressings with carboxymethylcellulose 20% for 20 weeks. The analysis was based on measurement of the area of ulcers, performed at the first visit and after the end of the treatment. RESULTS: There was a reduction of 3.9 cm2 of lesion area (p=0.0001), corresponding to 38.8% (p=0.0001). There was no interruption of treatment and no increase in lesion area in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Carboxymethylcellulose 20% represents a low cost and effective therapeutic alternative for the treatment of refractory chronic venous ulcers. However, controlled studies are necessary to prove its efficacy.

Dermatite seborreica / Seborrheic dermatitis

A dermatite seborreica é uma doença eritêmato-escamativa de caráter crônico-recidivante que acomete entre 1 e 3 por cento da população geral dos Estados Unidos. Possui dois picos de incidência - o primeiro, durante os três primeiros meses de vida, e o segundo, a partir da puberdade, atingindo seu ápice entre os 40 e 60 anos de idade. Os indivíduos HIV positivos têm maior prevalência da doença, que apresenta maior intensidade e tendência à refratariedade ao tratamento. Doenças neurológicas e outras doenças crônicas também estão associadas ao desenvolvimento da dermatite seborreica. Como mecanismo fisiopatogênico, reconhece-se que o fungo Malassezia sp., presente na pele de indivíduos suscetíveis, leve a uma irritação não-imunogênica a partir da produção de metabólitos à base de ácidos graxos insaturados deixados na superfície cutânea. Este artigo faz uma revisão da literatura sobre dermatite seborreica, com ênfase nos aspectos imunogenéticos, formas clínicas e tratamento.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing erythematous scaly skin disease, the prevalence of which is around 1 to 3 percent of the general population in the United States. It has two incidence peaks, the first in the first three months of life and the second beginning at puberty and reaching its apex at 40 to 60 years of age. The prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis is higher in HIV-positive individuals and the condition tends to be more intense and refractory to treatment in these patients. Neurological disorders and other chronic diseases are also associated with the onset of seborrheic dermatitis. The currently accepted theory on the pathogenesis of this disease advocates that yeast of Malassezia spp., present on the skin surface of susceptible individuals, leads to a non-immunogenic irritation due to the production of unsaturated fatty acids deposited on the skin surface. This article provides a review of the literature on seborrheic dermatitis, focusing on immunogenetics, the clinical forms of the disease and its treatment.

Hemangioma glomeruloide e a síndrome POEMS: relato de dois casos e revisão da literatura / Glomeruloid hemangioma in POEMS syndrome: a report on two cases and a review of the literature

O hemangioma glomeruloide caracteriza-se por enovelados capilares contidos em espaços vasculares dilatados reminiscentes de glomérulos renais, sendo fortemente associado à síndrome POEMS (polineuropatia, organomegalia, endocrinopatia, gamopatia monoclonal e alterações cutâneas). Relatamse dois casos da síndrome associados a hemangiomas glomeruloides e faz-se uma revisão da literatura. O primeiro é uma paciente feminina, 63 anos, internada para investigação de ascite, hepatoesplenomegalia, dificuldade de deambulação e hemangiomas cutâneos. A histopatologia de uma dessas lesões estabeleceu o diagnóstico de hemangioma glomeruloide e direcionou a investigação, que revelou polineuropatia sensitivo-motora, plasmocitoma kappa-positivo em L4 e Diabetes mellitus, permitindo o diagnóstico da síndrome. O segundo caso é de uma paciente feminina, 39 anos, com edema, ascite, derrame pleural, hemangiomas glomeruloides e linfonodomegalias (doença de Castleman). Havia um componente monoclonal de IgG-lambda e lesões blásticas no ilíaco direito e em L4, assim como lesão desmielinizante sensitivo-motora nos quatro membros, compondo o diagnóstico de síndrome POEMS.

Glomeruloid hemangioma is characterized by coiled capillary vessels contained within enlarged vascular spaces displaying an architecture that resembles renal glomeruli. The condition is strongly associated with POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes). The present paper reports on two cases of glomeruloid hemangiomas associated with POEMS syndrome, and includes a review of the literature. Case one refers to a 63-year old female patient admitted to hospital with ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, walking difficulties and cutaneous hemangiomas. Histopathology revealed a diagnosis of glomeruloid hemangioma and served to guide the clinical work-up, which revealed sensorimotor polyneuropathy, a plasmacytoma in the L4 vertebra with tumor cells positive for kappa chain, and diabetes mellitus. These findings permitted a diagnosis of POEMS syndrome to be reached. The second case consisted of a 39-year old woman admitted to hospital with edema, ascites, pleural effusion, glomeruloid hemangiomas and lymphadenopathy (Castleman's disease). Additional findings included monoclonal IgG-lambda paraproteinemia, blastic lesions in the right iliac bone and L4 vertebra, and demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy affecting all four limbs. The final diagnosis in this case was POEMS syndrome associated with Castleman's disease.

Perineurioma esclerosante: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Sclerosing perineurioma: case report and literature review

O perineurioma esclerosante é uma neoplasia benigna rara,constituída exclusivamente por células com diferenciação perineural, dispersas em meio a estroma fibroso denso. Acomete preferencialmente a pele dos quirodáctilos e das regiões palmares e se apresenta como pápula ou nódulo firme, normocrômico e assintomático. Apresentamos um caso de perineurioma esclerosante localizado na região palmar esquerda de uma paciente feminina de 16 anos de idade, com detalhada demonstração dos aspectos clínicos, histopatologia e revisão da literatura publicada em língua inglesa.

Sclerosing perineurioma is a rare benign neoplasm composed exclusively of perineural differentiation cells spread in a dense fibrous stroma. It affects primarily the skin of fingers and that of the palm of the hands. It appears as a hard papule or nodule, normochromic and asymptomatic. A case of sclerosing perineurioma in the left palm of a 16-year-old female is described, with detailed demonstration of clinical aspects, histopathology and literature review published in the English language.