Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis in association with prostate adenocarcinoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and Graves disease

Abstract Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis is a rare skin disorder characterized by the presence of umbilicated pruritic papules and nodules. Transepidermal elimination of altered and perforating bundles of basophilic collagen from the epidermis is a characteristic histologic feature of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis. Along with its well-known association with systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and dermatomyositis, there are reports of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis being associated with malignancies. Herein, we present a case of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, prostate adenocarcinoma, and Graves's disease. Clinicians are required to be more vigilant in evaluating patients with acquired reactive perforating collagenosis due to its unique association with malignancies and other systemic diseases.

Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy: light and transmission electron microscopy

Abstract Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy is a rare acquired idiopathic microangiopathy characterized by progressive development of diffuse asymptomatic telangiectasias and histologically by accumulation of collagen type IV around the affected vessels. It is diagnosed by its clinical history, confirmed by light microscopy with collagen-specific immunostaining. We report a case of a patient with extensive acquired telangiectasias on the left arm, clinically resembling unilateral nevoid telangiectasia. Dilated blood vessels with thickened walls were observed in the dermis. Immunohistochemistry with collagen IV antibodies revealed marked collagen deposition around the vessels, confirming the diagnosis. Transmission electron microscopy observed duplicate and triplicate vascular basal membrane associated with deposition of amorphous material around the membranes.

Acquired perforating dermatosis in a patient with chronic renal failure

Abstract Perforating dermatoses are a group of skin diseases characterized by transepidermal elimination of dermal material. The disease is divided into two groups: the primary group and the secondary group. The classical or primary perforating dermatoses are subdivided into four types according to the eliminated dermal materials: Kyrle disease, perforating reactive collagenosis, elastosis perforans serpiginosa, and perforating folliculitis. The secondary form is known as acquired perforating dermatosis. The term was proposed in 1989 by Rapini to designate the perforating dermatoses affecting adult patients with systemic disease, regardless of the dermal materials eliminated. This report describes a case of the disease with elimination of collagen and elastic fibers in a patient with chronic renal failure.

Malformação venosa associada a hiperelasticidade cutânea e atrofia do tecido subcutâneo / Venous malformation associated with skin hyperelasticity and subcutaneous atrophy

A rigidez da parede venosa pode aumentar em síndromes em que há uma redução da quantidade de elastina, ocasionando malformações venosas mesmo em indivíduos que possuem mosaicismo para tais síndromes. Casos com apresentação de afecções colagenosas em áreas delimitadas não foram descritos na literatura. O paciente apresentava lesão bem delimitada em região anteromedial da coxa com aumento de elasticidade e presença de vasos tortuosos apenas no local da lesão, não apresentando nenhuma síndrome colagenosa. Foi realizada uma biópsia que evidenciou alterações em relação ao padrão das fibras elásticas e proliferação de vasos sanguíneos. A malformação venosa foi tratada satisfatoriamente com embolização. As doenças do colágeno causam hiperextensibilidade cutânea, o que provoca flacidez e propicia traumas. As colagenoses bem delimitadas são raras, pois geralmente esse grupo de doenças envolve acometimento sistêmico. As malformações vasculares podem ocorrer em diversas doenças do colágeno, mas de forma generalizada e não localizada, e uma explicação para isso seria o mosaicismo genético.

In syndromes that involve reduced quantities of elastin, the rigidity of vein walls may be increased, causing venous malformations, even in people who have mosaicism for these syndromes. There are no previous descriptions in the literature of collagen diseases presenting in specific, delimited areas. The patient described here presented with a lesion restricted to a well-defined area of the anteromedial thigh, in which elasticity was increased and vessels were tortuous, in the area of the lesion only, and with no other signs of collagen syndromes. A biopsy was conducted and the findings included changes to the normal arrangement of the elastic fibers and proliferation of blood vessels. The venous malformation was treated satisfactorily by embolization. Collagen diseases can cause cutaneous hyperextensibility, provoking flaccidity and a propensity to traumatisms. Connective tissue diseases restricted to well-delimited areas are rare, since this group of diseases usually has systemic involvement. Vascular malformations can be seen in many different collagen diseases, but with generalized rather than localized presentation. One possible explanation for the case described here is genetic mosaicism.

Storiform collagenoma: case report / Colagenoma estoriforme: relato de caso

Storiform collagenoma is a rare tumor, which originates from the proliferation of fibroblasts that show increased production of type-I collagen. It is usually found in the face, neck and extremities, but it can also appear in the trunk, scalp and, less frequently, in the oral mucosa and the nail bed. It affects both sexes, with a slight female predominance. It may be solitary or multiple, the latter being an important marker for Cowden syndrome. It presents as a painless, solid nodular tumor that is slow-growing. It must be considered in the differential diagnosis of other well-circumscribed skin lesions, such as dermatofibroma, pleomorphic fibroma, sclerotic lipoma, fibrolipoma, giant cell collagenoma, benign fibrous histiocytoma, intradermal Spitz nevus and giant cell angiohistiocytoma.

O colagenoma estoriforme é um tumor raro originado a partir da proliferação de fibroblastos com produção aumentada de colágeno tipo I. É encontrado mais frequentemente na face, pescoço e extremidades, podendo aparecer no tronco, couro cabeludo e, raramente, na mucosa oral e leito subungueal. Afeta ambos os gêneros, com discreta predominância em mulheres. Pode ser solitário ou múltiplo, sendo que, neste caso, é um importante indicador da presença de síndrome de Cowden. Apresenta-se como tumor sólido, nodular, de crescimento lento e indolor. Deve constar como diagnóstico diferencial de tumores cutâneos bem delimitados, como dermatofibroma, fibroma pleomórfico, lipoma esclerótico, fibrolipoma, colagenoma de células gigantes, histiocitoma fibroso benigno, nevo de Spitz intradérmico e angioistiocitoma de células gigantes.

Liver pathology in collagen vascular disorders highlighting the vascular changes within portal tracts.

Background: Collagen vascular disorders (CVDs) are autoimmune disorders with multisystem involvement. Clinical liver involvement is not a characteristic feature though histological involvement could be frequent. Liver disease in CVDs could be the consequence of various factors. Aim: The aim was to analyze the histological spectrum of liver in collagen vascular disorders (CVDs) at autopsy. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six autopsy livers negative for hepatitis B or C virus were studied in CVD cases with no known association with chronic liver disease or vascular thrombosis or hematological disorder. Cirrhotic and normal livers were used as controls. The paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, and two-sided Dunnett t-test were used for comparison (< 0.05). None of the control cases showed any abnormal vessels. Results: There were 21 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 7 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 5 systemic sclerosis (SSc), and 3 polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) cases (M:F = 11:25, age range 23-60 years). Histology: Diffuse nodular regenerative hyperplasia of liver (NRHL) was seen in 10 cases, and 6 (5 SLE and 1 RA) had numerous abnormal thin-walled vessels in intermediate- and small-sized portal tracts with no vascular occlusion or inflammation. Moderate sized portal tracts showed more interface and lobular inflammation. The main portal vein and its major branches were normal. None of these six cases had increased transmainases (P>0.05). Most SLE cases had increased transaminases (P<0.05). No evidence of portal hypertension was seen in all except in one RA. Septicemia is known to be associated with raised transaminases. Conclusion: A rare pathology of conglomerate of abnormal vessels in intermediate- and small-sized portal system was observed co-existing with NRHL in CVDs. Raised liver enzyme with interface hepatitis in CVD may not necessarily warrant an overlap, as a similar feature could be observed in septicemia.

Colagenosis perforante reactiva adquirida: Caso clínico / Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis: Report of two cases

Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis is a perforating dermatosis characterized by transepidermal elimination of collagen. It is frequently associated to diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insuffciency, but it is also related to other systemic diseases. The lesions tend to resolve once the underlying condition is treated. We report two patients with the condition. A 65 year-old diabetic female on hemodialysis consulted for multiple itching cutaneous ulcers lasting one year. On physical examination, hyperpigmented papules and nodules were observed. A 65 year-old female with chronic renal failure in hemodialysis consulted for itching lesions in hands, forearms and arms. On physical examination, hyperpigmented lesions with ulcers, erosions and crusts were observed. In both cases, the pathological study of the lesions disclosed a reactive perforating collagenosis.

Doenças priônicas: avaliação dos riscos evolvidos na utilização de produtos de origem bovina / Prionic disease: evaluation of the risks involved in using products of bovine origin

Os príons são proteínas que se mostram capazes de auto-replicação apesar de, para isso, alterar o metabolismo celular. São responsáveis por inúmeras doenças em animais e no ser humano (doenças priônicas), todas elas fatais. Essas moléstias apresentam enorme variabilidade quanto ao período de incubação, de alguns meses a 40 anos. Os príons acumulam-se e destroem os neurônios, provocando quadros conhecidos como encefalopatias espongiosiformes. Discute-se a apresentação clínica, epidemiológica e histórica das doenças priônicas. O foco maior de discussão recai, no entanto, na possibilidade teórica da transmissão iatrogênica dos príons por meio das formulações tópicas que utilizam ceramidas (cerebrosídeos) ou placenta de origem bovina, assim como pelo risco representado por alguns procedimentos dermatológicos, como transplantes de pele e implantes de colágeno

Study of interleukin-2 receptor in schistosomiasis mansoni and its analogous changes in collagen diseases and schistosomal arthropathy

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R] in the serum of patients with different stages of S. mansoni infection, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and schistosomal arthropathy. The results demonstrated significant higher level of sIL-2R in different patient groups compared with the control group. The highest level of sIL-2R was recorded in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis complicated with ascites. The difference was statistically significant compared to other groups. There was no significant difference in sIL-2R regarding rheumatoid arthritis and SLE. Schistosomal arthropathy group showed significant higher level of sIL-2R compared with rheumatoid arthritis, SLE and early S. mansoni infection, while the difference was insignificant compared with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis without ascites

Inguinal herniation: a disease of collagen

In a trial to assess the role of biochemical failure in the formation of inguinal hernia, 60 patients with inguinal hernia [30 de novo cases, 10 patients with hernia on one side and a previous repair on the other and 20 with recurrent hernia], and 20 controls were studied. Hydroxyproline content was determined in the anterior rectus sheath of the patients and the controls. The results showed a low level of hydroxyproline content in all hernia groups studied compared with the control and the difference was statistically significant. Surgeons should give the biological factors of hernia formation the same importance that given to the mechanical one. This may change their concepts of the management of hernia and may decrease the incidence of recurrence

Colagenoses associadas / Associated collagen diseases

O autor apresenta um caso de associaçao entre febre reumática e poliarterite nodosa, duas colagenoses, com todo cortejo histológico descrito na literatura.