Stage III eumycetoma successfully treated with oral ketoconazole and surgical debulking

Mycetoma is a chronic, debilitating, granulomatous disease affecting the subcutaneous tissue, fascia, muscle, bone and adjacent organs characterized by triad of tumefaction, draining sinus, and grains. The ten-year incidence in our institution from 2000 to 2010 is 3 out of 81,015 cases. We present a 33-year-old man with a nine-year history of painless nodules and draining sinuses on the left foot which were unresponsive to oral antibiotics and topical antifungals. Biopsy of a nodule was consistent with mycetoma. Fungal culture revealed Madurella mycetomatis growth confirming eumycetoma. X-ray of the left foot showed poorly marginated lucencies on the calcaneus and navicular bones. Ultrasound revealed mixed hyperreflective echoes and multiple small cavities. We diagnosed the patient with Stage III eumycetoma based on the radiographic classification of bone involvement and prescribed oral ketoconazole 400 mg daily for nine months achieving 50-60% decrease in lesion size. Surgical debulking was done and ketoconazole was continued at the same dose for another nine months. There was good granulation tissue formation and no appearance of new lesions after surgery.

Hypopigmented mycosis of fungoides in an eight-year-old girl managed with narrowband ultraviolet B therapy

Mycosis fungoides presenting with hypopigmented lesions is an uncommon variant, which is usually described among dark-skinned patients. We report a case of hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in an eight-year-old girl who has responded favorably to narrowband-ultraviolet B therapy. The disease mimics several benign inflammatory skin conditions, hence, a high clinical suspicion is warranted in patients presenting with widespread hypopigmentation.

Safety and efficacy of oral fusidic acid as a steroid-sparing agent in the treatment of lepra reactions : A randomized controlled assessor-blinded clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Lepra reactions occur in 10-30% of patients with leprosy. The standard of treatment is prednisone. However , prolonged steroid use may cause side effects such as osteoporosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis and infections. Fusidic acid targets cytokine systems responsible for the production of Type 1 lepra reaction (T1R) and erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). It may be given as a steroid-sparing agent in treating lepra reactions. OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of fusidic acid as a steroid-sparing agent in the treatment of  Type 1 and Type 2  lepra reactions. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 67 subjects with lepra reactions, aged 18-60, each assigned to receive either prednisone or prednisone + fusidic acid for 12 weeks. Severity of lepra reactions were graded quantitatively using a modified scale by Walker et al and van Brakel et al, and qualitatively using modified National Leprosy Control Program (NLCP) Guidelines at baseline, weeks 2,4,6,8,10 and 12. Doses of prednisone needed to control lepra reactions were also noted at each follow up and statistical analyses were done . Adverse reactions were noted. RESULT: Sixty subjects (89.55%) completed the study. The prednisone + fusidic acid group had lower quantitative and qualitative scores compared to the prednisone group. There were significant differences between the two groups for the quantitative severity scores (p=1.44x10-11) and qualitative severity grading (p=9.36x10-14) at week 12. The mean dose of prednisone was 21.5 mg in the prednisone group and 2 mg in the prednisone + fusidic acid group at week 12 (p=1.01x10-12). No adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: Fusidic acid tablet 250mg/tab two tablets three times a day is an effective and safe steroid-sparing agent for the treatment of lepra reactions.

Generalized morphea with concurrent vitiligo in a four-year-old boy

Morphea, a localized type of scleroderma, is a rare fibrosing disorder of the skin that presents with a variety of clinical manifestations such as linear morphea, plaque morphea, generalized morphea and other miscellaneous groups. It has an incidence rate of 0.4-2.7 cases per 100,000 people. Generalized morphea is defined as four or more plaques larger than 3cm, and/or involving of two or more anatomical sites. Among pediatric population, 5% of the cases present as generalized morphea. Concomitant vitiligo is found in in 7% of morphea cases. We report a case of generalized morphea in a four-year-old boy who presented with a one-year history of multiple, well-defined, indurated, annular, skin-colored to hyperpigmented plaques with central atrophy on the mid to lower back and left cheek. There was also concurrent two-year history of multiple ill-defined vitiliginous patches on the upper back, upper arms, and elbow.

A case of Behcet's disease successfully managed with dapsone

Behcet's disease is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory multisystem disorder characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcerations along with eye lesions (anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis, cells in vitreous on slit lamp examination, retinal vasculitis observed by ophthalmologist), skin lesions (erythema nodosum, pseudofolliculitis, papulopustular lesions, acneiform nodules), arthralgia, central nervous system and vascular involvement, and gastrointestinal manifestations. The etiology of Behcet's disease remains unknown. We report a case of a 48-year-old male with a 25-year-history of blindness, recurrent ulcers on mucosal surfaces, and papulopustular lesions on the trunk. Dapsone is an easily available, cheap and relatively safe drug, useful particularly in the management of the mucocutaneous symptoms of Behcet's disease. Dapsone 100 mg was given daily for one month which resulted in improvement of skin and mucosal lesions. Early diagnosis and treatment of this condition is important to prevent irreversible organ damage and mandatory to reduce mortality and morbidity.

Necrobiosis lipoidica: A case report and review of treatment

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a dermatologic disorder characterized by sharply demarcated yellow-brown plaques or indurated plaques with violaceous, irregular borders usually located on the pretibial region. Lesions may flatten and develop a central yellow or orange area as it becomes atrophic, often accompanied by the appearance of telangiectasias, giving it the characteristic "glazed¬porcelain" sheen. Typical histologic findings are seen at the edge of the lesions and include: variable amount of dermal fibrosis, particularly in its lower two-thirds of the dermis; and a superficial and deep perivascular inflammatory reaction. The dermal changes extend to the underlying subcutaneous septa. Although these histologic findings were first described in diabetic patients, not all patients with NL have concurrent diabetes. Treatment of NL involves the use of potent topical steroids and the prevention of the development of ulcers. This is a case of a 29-year-old female who presented with few erythematous plaques on the left anterolateral portion of the left lower extremity, histologically confirmed as NL with normal fasting blood sugar levels.