Tricodisplasia espinulosa asociada a síndrome mielodisplásico e inmunosupresión / Trichodysplasia spinulosa: report of one case

Trichodysplasia spinulosa is a rare disease that occurs in the setting of immunosuppression, associated with tolerogenic therapy used in allograft recipients or patients with hematologic malignancies. Clinically, it is characterized by a centrofacial cutaneous eruption of erythematous papules with a central keratinous spicule, often associated with variable degrees of alopecia. Histologic findings are characteristic, and electron microscopy reveals the presence of trichodysplasia spinulosa associated polyomavirus. We report a 47-year-old woman with idiopathic autoimmune pancytopenia refractory to diverse immunosuppressant regimens, with clinical and pathologic findings compatible with the disease, in whom complementary studies were required to exclude other differential diagnoses.

Excision of furuncular myiasis larvae using a punch: a simple, practical and aesthetic method

Abstract: Myiasis refers to Diptera larvae infesting vertebrate animals. There are two forms of the disease: primary and secondary. In primary myiasis, fly larvae invade and develop in healthy tissue; in secondary myiasis, flies lay their eggs in skin ulcerations, and the larvae develop in tissue necrosis products. Furuncular myiasis is a type of primary myiasis. Treatment for it consists of techniques such as the production of localized hypoxia to force the emergence of the larvae, and mechanical or surgical removal of the maggots. These techniques, however, are painful and often unsuccessful. We propose a new technique for extraction of myiasis larvae, which might facilitate the surgical procedure and constitute a virtually painless and aesthetic option for the patient.

Non-cultured melanocyte/keratinocyte transplantation for the treatment of stable vitiligo on the face: report of two cases / Transplante de suspensao celular de melanocitos/queratinocitos para o tratamento de vitiligo estavel na face: relato de dois casos

There are many alternatives to treat vitiligo, including surgical procedures, which are recommended for patients resistant to other therapies. The melanocyte/keratinocyte transplantation consists in the separation of epidermal cells obtained from a donor site and spreading these cells on the depigmented and dermabraded recipient area. Two patients were submitted to transplantation, showing more than 70% repigmentation in the treated areas after four months, both with excellent degree of satisfaction. The method requires some laboratory skills, but represents a simple and safe procedure.

Existem várias alternativas para o tratamento do vitiligo, incluindo procedimentos cirúrgicos, que são indicados para pacientes refratários aos outros tipos de tratamento. O transplante de suspensão celular de melanócitos/queratinócitos consiste na separação de células da epiderme obtidas de área doadora, e aplicação destas células na área receptora despigmentada, após dermoabrasão. Dois pacientes com vitiligo estável foram submetidos ao transplante de suspensão de melanócitos/queratinócitos, apresentando repigmentação acima de 70% nas áreas tratadas após quatro meses, ambos com excelente grau de satisfação. O método requer alguma habilidade laboratorial, mas representa um procedimento simples e seguro.

The use of ablative lasers in the treatment of facial melasma / O uso de lasers ablativos no tratamento do melasma facial

Melasma represents a pigmentary disorder that is difficult to treat. This study aims to broadly review the use of ablative lasers (Er:YAG and CO2) in the treatment of melasma, presenting the level of evidence of studies published to date. A total of 75 patients were enrolled in four case series studies (n=39), one controlled clinical trial (n=6) and one randomized controlled clinical trial (n=30). Studies on the Er:YAG laser showed better results with the use of short square-shaped pulses, which determined low rates of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and long-lasting maintenance of results. Likewise, studies on the CO2 laser proved the benefits of short pulse duration along with low-density energy. Post-treatment maintenance with the use of antipigmenting creams was necessary and effective to sustain long-term results. Ablative lasers may represent another useful and effective tool against melasma. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and difficulty in sustaining long-term results still represent the main limitations to a broader use of ablative lasers. Based on actual evidence, the use of this technology should be restricted to patients with recalcitrant disease. Further studies will help establish optimal laser parameters and treatment regimens.

O melasma representa desordem pigmentar de difícil tratamento. O presente estudo tem como propósito apresentar ampla revisão da literatura acerca do uso de laser ablativos (Er:YAG e CO2) no tratamento do melasma, estabelecendo o nível de evidência dos estudos publicados até o instante. Um total de 75 pacientes foram envolvidos entre quatro séries de casos (n=39), um ensaio clínico controlado (n=6) e um ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado (n=30). Os estudos acerca do laser de Er:YAG demonstraram melhores resultados com o uso de pulsos de forma quadrada, os quais determinaram menores taxas de hiperpigmentação pós-inflamatória. Ademais, os estudos com laser de CO2 também demonstraram benefício no uso de pulsos curtos com baixa densidade de energia. O uso de cremes despigmentantes no período pós-tratamento se mostrou necessária e efetiva na manutenção de resultados à longo prazo. Os lasers ablativos, por conseguinte, podem representar ferramenta efetiva e de grande utilidade no manejo do melasma. Entretanto, hiperpigmentação pós-inflamatória e dificuldade na manutenção de resultados à longo prazo parecem representar as principais limitações atuais ao seu amplo uso. Por conseguinte, com base nas atuais evidências, o uso de tais tecnologias ainda deve ser restrita à casos de doença recalcitrante. Novos estudos ainda são necessários para o estabelecimento de parâmetros e regimes ideais de tratamento.

Aspectos terapéuticos de las Fistulas Cutaneas de la Cara / Therapeutical features of the facial cutaneous fistula

Se realizo un estudio trasversal durante 5 anos (1984 a 1988) en los cuales fueron tratados 99 pacientes con fistula cutanea de la region facial, en le servicio de cirugia maxilofacial del Hospital Docente "Saturnino Lora" de Santiago de Cuba. Se comprobo que para establecer pronosticos terapeuticos favorables en esta entidad, el tratamiento de las fistulas agudas debe orientarse hacia la erradicacion o minimizacion de la fase aguda mediante farmacoterapia antimicrobiana del tipo de la betalactamasa, combinada con la eliminacion de los factores causales, seguida en una fase mediata de la fistuloplastia segun los requirimientos individuales de cada lesion; mientras que en las lesiones de curso cronico la conducta debe dirigirse hacia la eliminacion del agente causal y exeresis del trayecto fistuloso con plastia del area afectada en el mismo tiempo quirurgico, combinado con antibioticoterapia profilactica segun resultado bacteriologico. Se concluye que la evolucion posoperatoria de esta afeccion es significativamente satisfactoria; las de origen osteomieliticas tienen mayor incidencia de complicaciones