Melanoacanthoma: a potential pitfall of reflectance confocal microscopy

Abstract Melanoacanthoma is a rare variant of seborrheic keratosis, which is notable for dark pigmentation and fast radial growth, making it difficult to distinguish from melanoma. Histologically, it is characterized by proliferation of keratinocytes and dendritic melanocytes. The authors report a scalp lesion, fast growing, suspected by dermoscopy and confocal microscopy examination, with dendritic cells distributed throughout the lesion. Based on these findings, it was not possible to classify this lesion as clearly benign, so it was excised. Histopathologic evaluation and immunostain were consistent with melanoacanthoma.

Evaluation of the social, clinical and laboratorial profile of patients diagnosed with leprosy in a reference center in São Paulo

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is the main infectious cause of disability. It is said to be eradicated in São Paulo since 2005, but diagnosis is still late. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the social, clinical and laboratorial profile of leprosy patients diagnosed between 01/2007 and 12/2011, in a reference center in São Paulo. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study. Data of all new leprosy cases diagnosed between 01/2007 and 12/2011 were raised in São Paulo. RESULTS: 103 men and 71 women were diagnosed, most of them were multibacillary. Mean age at diagnosis was 49 yrs; 2,2% were children; 70% had incomplete primary education; 50% were referred without diagnostic suspicion of leprosy. Mean time since first symptoms/signs and diagnosis was 2 years; 64% of patients had some degree of disability, and 26% had grade 2. 23 cases were diagnosed only after being summoned, and 80% of these had no disability. Agreement between the Ridley and Jopling and the WHO classification was 75% (kappa index = 0.44). Serology for IgM anti-PGL1 (87 patients) showed a mean value of 0.25, and an association between MB classification and test positivity (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy diagnosis in São Paulo is late. The disease mainly affected the socially disadvantaged and economically active population. Failure to detect the disease (41% in the last 10 years) could be due to the lack of suspicion and to decentralization. For the classification of patients with advanced leprosy, both the WHO and R&J classifications proved to be helpful tools. .

Cowden Syndrome: report of a case and brief review of literature / Sindrome de Cowden: Relato de caso e uma breve revisao da literatura

We present the case of a female patient with facial cutaneous lesions, a cobblestone-like pattern of the oral mucosa, and verruciform lesions on the hand since her youth. She reported a history of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, melanoma and multiple benign tumors and cysts. PTEN gene analysis was performed and confirmed Cowden Syndrome, a rare genodermatosis with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, characterized by multiple hamartomas. The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene negatively regulates cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Loss of PTEN function contributes to an increased risk of cancer. We emphasize the importance of early detection and accurate management of Cowden Syndrome.

Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente com lesões cutâneas faciais, mucosa oral com aparência de paralelepípedo, e lesões de aspecto verrucoso na mão desde a sua juventude. Ela relatou uma história de câncer de mama, câncer de endométrio, melanoma e múltiplos tumores benignos e cistos. A análise genética PTEN foi realizada e confirmou a Síndrome de Cowden, uma genodermatose rara, com um padrão de herança autossômica dominante, caracterizada por múltiplos hamartomas. O gene homólogo de fosfatase e angiotensina (PTEN) regula negativamente a proliferação celular e a progressão do ciclo celular. A perda da função PTEN contribui para um aumento do risco de câncer. Ressaltamos a importância da detecção precoce e tratamento preciso da Síndrome de Cowden.