Treatment conundrum: A case of recalcitrant Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita (EBA) in a 50-year-old Filipino male

Introduction@#Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita (EBA) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease which presents in the skin and mucous membranes. The decrease in anchoring fibrils in the basement membrane zone causes separation of the epidermis from the dermis, resulting in its blistering presentation. The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the disease. The first-line treatment for mild EBA includes topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators such as dapsone and colchicine; while severe cases of EBA may be given intravenous immunoglobulins, systemic steroids, and immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. @*Case Report@#This is a case of a 50-year-old Filipino male who presented with a 2-year history of vesicles and tense bullae which evolved into papules, plaques and erosions with scarring and milia formation on the scalp and trauma-prone areas of the trunk and extremities. Clinical examination revealed multiple, well-defined, irregularly shaped erythematous papules and plaques with crusts, scales, erosions, pearl-like milia and scarring on the chest, back, upper, and lower extremities. The oral mucosa was moist with some ulcers on the tongue. Histopathologic examination using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain revealed the absence of the epidermis with retention of dermal papillae suggestive of subepidermal clefting. Further examination with direct immunofluorescence (DIF) revealed monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgG) deposits demonstrating an intense linear fluorescent band at the dermoepidermal junction, consistent with Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita. Overall, the combined administration of prednisone, azathioprine, and colchicine resulted only in transient and incomplete resolution of lesions in this case of EBA.@*Conclusion@#The management of EBA is mostly supportive with the goal of minimizing complications. Combination treatments using steroids, colchicine, and azathioprine have been reported with various results. Its management remains challenging as most cases are refractory to treatment.

Oral sirolimus in the treatment of adult eruptive cherry angiomas

Introduction@#Cherry angiomas are a common type of acquired vascular proliferation of the skin which manifest as single or multiple bright red spots that usually appear on the trunk and arms. They are generally asymptomatic; patients may opt to remove the lesions for cosmetic reasons and prevention of bleeding. Conventionally, most cherry angiomas are treated with curettage, laser, and electrosurgery. Herein, we report a case of multiple cherry angiomas managed alternatively with oral sirolimus. @*Case@#A 47-year-old Filipino female presented with a 10-month history of gradually enlarging multiple bright-red papules and pedunculated nodules with a propensity to spontaneously bleed on gentle manipulation involving the scalp and forehead. Clinicopathological correlation suggests a diagnosis of eruptive cherry angiomas. The patient was started on oral sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor.@*Conclusion@#We present a case of a patient with eruptive cherry angiomas who experienced significant decrease in size and bleeding with treatment of oral sirolimus with minimal adverse effects. For patients with eruptive cherry angiomas, especially with contraindicated comorbidities, first-line therapeutic option treatments with oral sirolimus can be beneficial.

Dermoscopic features and management strategy of a 10-year history acral lentiginous melanoma in a 55-year-old Filipino

Introduction@#Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the most common type of cutaneous melanoma in Asians that is not associated with ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure. Dermoscopy enables clinicians to distinguish between benign and malignant acral melanocytic lesions, with some dermoscopic characteristics playing a role in staging and have prognostic implications, which allows for appropriate surgical intervention. The difficulty of making an early diagnosis of ALM is highlighted by this case. ALM’s destructive nature, alongside the patient’s lack of awareness and vigilance, and healthcare access inequality, influences its prognosis. @*Case Report@#This is a case of a long-standing acral lentiginous melanoma with no palpable lymphadenopathies in which it was not immediately detected through biopsy. Upon detection, wide excision with 2 cm margins and disarticulation of the 5th digit of the right foot reconstructed with a fasciocutaneous advancement flap with split thickness skin graft, grafted from the right anterior thigh was done.