Reflectance confocal microscopy of tinea nigra: comparing images with dermoscopy and mycological examination results

Abstract: Tinea nigra is a superficial mycosis whose diagnosis is confirmed by isolating the infectious agent Hortae werneckii through mycological examinations. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy, initially used in melanocytic dermatosis, has been used with skin infectious diseases to identify the parasite at the cellular level. We report, for the first time in the scientific literature, the use of reflectance confocal microscopy in a case of tinea nigra and compare its findings to dermoscopy and mycological examination results.

Análise do perfil dos pacientes e das dermatoses abordadas em mutirão de cirurgia dermatológica: a importância do dermatologista na saúde pública / Analysis of the profile of patients and dermatoses treated in a dermatologic surgery public campaign: the importance of the dermatologist in public health

Introdução: A saúde pública no Brasil apresenta demanda de procedimentos dermatológicos superior à atual oferta, resultando em fila de espera de pacientes com dermatoses a abordar cirurgicamente. Foi realizado mutirão de procedimentos cirúrgicos em serviço terciário de atendimento público para reduzir essa fila, sendo os dados dos pacientes e suas lesões aqui apresentados. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil dos pacientes que aguardam a realização de procedimentos dermatológicos bem como suas dermatoses. Métodos: Realizou-se análise descritiva simples do perfil dos pacientes, de suas dermatoses abordadas e dos procedimentos realizados. Resultados: Foram atendidos 31 pacientes com idade entre 21 e 95 anos (média de 63,7 anos), sendo 17 (54,83%) do sexo feminino e 14 (45,17%) do sexo masculino. Foram abordadas 38 lesões, sendo 21 neoplásicas (carcinomas e melanoma), oito pré-neoplásicas (queratoses actínicas) e nove não neoplásicas (nevos, queloide e neurofibroma). Conclusões: Este artigo torna-se relevante por identificar casos e pacientes que aguardam procedimentos cirúrgicos dermatológicos no serviço público. Com ele, estratégias de saúde pública na área dermatológica podem ser mais bem programadas, além de destacar a importante ação do dermatologista na saúde pública diagnosticando e tratando lesões pré-neoplásicas e neoplásicas.

Introduction: In the Brazilian public health system, the current demand for dermatological procedures is greater than the offer, resulting in a waiting list of patients bearing dermatoses to be treated surgically. Aimed at reducing that waiting list, a collective effort of surgical procedures was carried out in the tertiary public health service. The corresponding data on the patients and lesions is disclosed in the present study. Objective: To assess the profile of the patients ­ and respective skin lesions ­ who are awaiting to undergo dermatological procedures. Methods: A simple descriptive profile analysis of the patients, treated dermatoses and procedures performed was carried out. Results: Thirty-one patients (aged between 21 and 95 years, mean = 63.7 years). Seventeen (54.83%) were women and 14 (45.17%) were men. Thirty-eight lesions were treated: 21 neoplastic (carcinomas and melanomas), 8 pre-neoplastic (actinic keratoses) and 9 non-neoplastic (nevi, keloid and neurofibroma). Conclusions: The present article is relevant due to the fact it identifies cases and patients awaiting dermatological surgical procedures in the public health system. Based on it, a better planning of public health strategies in the dermatological field should be possible. Also, it highlights the importance of the dermatologist physician's action in the public health, diagnosing and treating pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions.

White piedra, black piedra, tinea versicolor, and tinea nigra: contribution to the diagnosis of superficial mycosis

Abstract Superficial mycoses are fungal infections restricted to the stratum corneum and to the hair shafts, with no penetration in the epidermis; they are: white piedra, black piedra, tinea versicolor, and tinea nigra. This study presents images of mycological tests performed in the laboratory, as well as exams performed at the authors office, in order to improve the dermatologist's knowledge about the diagnosis of these dermatoses, which are common in many countries.

Supra-acetabular fixation and sacroiliac screws for treating unstable pelvic ring injuries: preliminary results from 20 patients / Tratamento das lesões instáveis do anel pélvico com fixador supra-acetabular e parafusos sacroilíacos: resultados preliminares em 20 pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the treatment results from 20 patients who underwent an alternative osteosynthesis method as definitive treatment for pelvic ring fractures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a series of 20 patients with pelvic ring fractures (Tile type C) and a high risk of postoperative infection, who were treated at Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo between August 2004 and December 2012. The patients underwent percutaneous supra-acetabular external fixation in association with cannulated 7.0 mm iliosacral screws. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 40 years (range 22-77 years) and the mean length of follow-up was 18.5 months (range 3-69 months). At the end of the treatment, ten patients (50%) were classified as having good results, nine patients (45%) had fair results and one patient (5%) did not have any improvement. Six patients presented complications, and paresthesia of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was the most frequent of these (two patients). CONCLUSION: Supra-acetabular external fixation in association with iliosacral percutaneous osteosynthesis is a good definitive treatment method for patients with a high risk of postoperative infection.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento de 20 pacientes que usaram como tratamento definitivo um método de osteossíntese opcional para fraturas do anel pélvico. MÉTODOS: Foi feita uma análise retrospectiva da série de 20 casos de pacientes com fratura do anel pélvico tipo C de Tile, portadores de alto risco de infecção pós-operatória, tratados na Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo entre agosto de 2004 e dezembro de 2012, submetidos a fixação externa supra-acetabular percutânea associada com parafusos canulados iliossacrais de 70 mm. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 40 anos (mínimo de 22; máximo de 77) e o tempo médio de seguimento foi de 18,5 meses (mínimo de três; máximo de 69). Após o término do tratamento dez pacientes (50%) foram classificados com bons resultados, nove (45%) tiveram desfecho regular e um (5%) não apresentou melhoria alguma. Seis apresentaram complicações. A parestesia do nervo cutâneo femoral lateral foi a mais frequente (dois pacientes). CONCLUSÃO: A fixação externa supra-acetabular associada a osteossíntese percutânea iliossacral é um bom método de tratamento definitivo para os pacientes com alto risco de infecção pós-operatória.