Perianal psoriasis as the first manifestation of the disease

Introduction: Inverse psoriasis affects the skin of flexural areas, such as the groin, axillae, umbilicus, intergluteal fold, and external genitalia. Clinical Case: We herein report the case of a man who presented with anal pruritus and, upon physical examination, a perianal dermatosis was found, which was characterized by erythematous plaques, with fine scaling. The case was initially managed with zinc oxide, and when no improvement was observed, we decided to take an incisional biopsy, which indicated histological changes suggestive of psoriasiform dermatitis. Discussion: Inverse psoriasis affects 3% to 7% of patients with psoriasis, and it manifests with erythematous plaques without the classic scaling appearance. The skin in these areas is susceptible to maceration, irritation, and ulceration, which alter the classic clinical picture. It may present with typical lesions or, less frequently, in isolation in the anogenital region. In the anogenital presentation only, the diagnosis should be made by biopsy, looking for the classic histopathological features of psoriasis. As for the first-line treatment, low- or medium-potency topical steroids are used for short periods of time; the second-line treatment is with emollients and tar-based products; and the third-line treatment uses an immunomodulator. Conclusion: This presentation is infrequent, and it requires a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis, always supported by biopsies, in search of the classic histopathological features of psoriasis. (AU)

Melanoma anal, patología infrecuente, reporte de un caso / Anal melanoma uncommon pathology, case report / Melanoma anal, patologia infreqüente, relato de um caso

El melanoma anal (MA) es un tumor infrecuente, caracterizado por presentar un comportamiento agresivo y mal pronóstico(1). La sintomatología inespecífica con la cual se presenta y su similitud con etiologías benignas anorrectales, dificulta el diagnóstico y puede conducir a un retraso en el mismo(2)(3). Por lo tanto, es necesaria una exploración física minuciosa y un elevado índice de sospecha. Se discute el caso de una paciente que consultó por tumoración anal dolorosa, no pigmentada y rectorragia; a la que se le realiza diagnóstico de melanoma anal.

Anal melanoma (MA) is an infrequent tumor, characterized by aggressive behavior and poor prognosis(1). The nonspecific symptomatology and its similarity with benign anorectal etiologies, makes the diagnosis difficult and leads to a delay in it(2)(3).Therefore, a thorough physical examination and a high index of suspicion are necessary. The case of a patient who consulted for a non-pigmented and painful anal mass with rectal bleeding is discussed; which is diagnosed with anal melanoma.

O melanoma anal (MA) é um tumor infrequente, caracterizado por apresentar um comportamento agressivo e ter um mauprognóstico(1). A sintomatologia inespecífica da sua apresentação e a sua similaridade com etiologias benignas anorretais dificultam o diagnóstico e pode levar a um atraso do mesmo(2)(3). Por tanto é necessário uma exploração física minuciosa e um indice de suspeita elevado. Discute-se o um caso de uma paciente que consultou por uma tumoração anal, dolorosa, não pigmentada e retorragia, a qual se realizou o diagnostico de melanoma anal.

Prurito anal idiopático: revisión bibliográfica y presentación de protocolo de tratamiento / Idiopathic pruritus ani: literature review and presentation of treatment protocol

Introducción: El prurito anal es un síntoma de difícil tratamiento en ausencia de factores predisponentes. Cuando no se logra identificar una causa evidente es habitualmente llamado "prurito anal esencial, primario o idiopático" y en los casos de adjudicarse el síntoma a otra patología se lo refiere como prurito anal secundario. El prurito anal esencial es una patología que representa un desafío para el médico tratante debido al poco consenso sobre el tratamiento de la misma. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión bibliográfica sobre prurito anal primario o idiopático. Presentar un algoritmo de diagnóstico y de tratamiento de pacientes que consultan por esta patología. Efectuar una evaluación inicial de los resultados obtenidos a corto plazo. Lugar de aplicación: Centro Privado de Cirugía y Coloproctología de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional y longitudinal. Pacientes y métodos: Se presentan 24 pacientes con diagnóstico de prurito anal esencial que fueron sometidos a tratamiento escalonado del mismo. Resultados: Se obtuvo respuesta favorable completa (ausencia del síntoma prurito por un período mayor a 15 días y con ausencia de lesiones por rascado) en 22 de los 24 pacientes (91,66%), en 2 pacientes (8,33%) se obtuvo respuesta casi completa (mejoría que se traduce en prurito leve sin lesiones cutáneas). No hubo recurrencias ni empeoramiento de los síntomas en ningún paciente. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los casos de prurito anal se deben a una causa coloproctológica o dermatológica, siendo menos frecuentes los casos en los que no se observa una causa responsable. Esta situación tiene relativa frecuencia y representa un desafío tanto para el médico tratante como para el paciente.

Introduction: Pruritus ani is a symptom of difficult treatment in the absence of predisposing factors. When not able to identify an obvious cause is usually called "essential, primary or idiopathic pruritus ani" and in case of winning the symptom to another condition is referred secondary anal itching. The idiopathic anal pruritus is a condition that poses a challenge to the treating physician due to little consensus on the treatment of it. Objetive: To review the literature on primary or idiopathic pruritus ani. To present an algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of patients who consult for this condition. Make an initial assessment of the results obtained in the short term follow-up. Application site: Private Center of Surgery and Coloproctology of the city of Buenos Aires. Design: Retrospective, descriptive, observational and longitudinal study. Patients and Methods: We present 24 patients with idiopathic anal pruritus underwent treatment in stages. Results: Favorable response was obtainded (absence of pruritlls for a period exceeding 15 days and with no scratching injuries) in 22 of 24 patients (91,66%), in 2 patients (8,33%) was obtained almost response almost complete (resulting in improvement mild itching without skin lesions). There was no recurrence or worsening of symptoms in any patient. Conclusions: Most cases of anal pruritus due to one cause dermatological or proctology, being less frequent cases in which there is observed a cause responsible. This situation is relatively common and poses a challengue for both physician and patient.

Consumption of red-hot chili pepper increases symptoms in patients with acute anal fissures. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover trial / Efeito da pimenta vermelha nos sintomas de pacientes com fissuras anais agudas

BACKGROUND: Red-hot chili pepper and other spices have been blamed for causing or exacerbating symptoms of anal pathologies like anal fissure and hemorrhoids. AIM: To determine if consumption of chilies increases symptoms of acute anal fissures. METHODS: Individual patients were randomized to receive capsules containing chili or placebo for one week in addition to analgesics and fiber supplement. Patients were asked to note score for symptoms like pain, anal burning, and pruritus during the study period. After 1 week, cross over treatment was administered to the same group of patients with the same methodology and results were noted at the end of 2 weeks. RESULTS: Fifty subjects were recruited for this study. Forty three of them completed the trial (22 in the chili group and 21 in the placebo group). The daily mean pain score was significantly lower in the placebo group in the study period. Score 2.05 in chili group and 0.97 in placebo group. There was a significant burning sensation experienced by the patients in the chili group (score 1.85 for the chili group vs 0.71 for the placebo group). Patient’s mean recorded improvement score was significantly higher after taking placebo. Eighty one point three percent patients preferred placebo while 13.9 percent preferred chilies. Two patients had no preference. CONCLUSION: Consumption of chili does increase the symptoms of acute anal fissure and reduces patient compliance.

RACIONAL: A pimenta vermelha e outras especiarias têm sido responsabilizadas por agravar a sintomatologia das doenças anais, tais como fissuras e hemorróidas. OBJETIVO: Determinar se o consumo de pimentas vermelhas aumentaria os sintomas em fissuras anais agudas. MÉTODOS: Pacientes foram recrutados e randomizados para receber cápsulas contendo pimenta ou placebos por 1 semana, somadas a analgésicos e suplementos de fibras. Foi solicitado que anotassem um escore de sintomas, tais como dor, queimação anal, prurido durante o período de estudo. Após 1 semana o tratamento foi cruzado e administrado ao mesmo grupo de pacientes com a mesma metodologia e os resultados foram anotados ao final de duas semanas. RESULTADOS: Cinqüenta pacientes foram selecionados e 43 completaram o estudo (22 no grupo pimenta e 23 no grupo placebo). O escore médio diário de dor foi significativamente mais baixo (2,05 no grupo pimenta e 0,97 no grupo placebo). A sensação de queimação foi sentida de modo significativo no grupo pimenta (1,85 para o grupo pimenta vs 0,71 para o grupo placebo). O escore de melhora dos sintomas foi significantemente alto após tomar o placebo. Oitenta e um virgula três porcento dos pacientes preferiram tomar placebo contra 13,9 por cento que preferiram pimenta. Dois pacientes não referiram preferências. CONCLUSÃO: O consumo de pimentas agrava os sintomas de fissuras anais agudas.

Enterobiasis en escolares de Ciudad Bolívar, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela / Enterobiasis in schoolchildren from Ciudad Bolívar, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela

Enterobius vermicularis is a nematode with a peculiar biological cycle, thus requiring a special diagnostic technique. In order to determine the prevalence of E. vermicularis infection among schoolchildren in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela, 282 children aged 5 - 14 years old were evaluated between november 1995 and august 1996 by the Graham technique (three perianal swabs with adhesive cellulose tape). The prevalence of enterobiasis in the studied children was estimated 19,1 percent (54/282). There was no difference between sexes (p>0,05), but there was a difference between ages (x² = 13,8; 1.g.= 4), being the infection more frequent between 5 and 8 years. Symptoms were observed in 90,7 percent of the schoolchildren. Anal pruritus was the most common clinical finding (81,6 percent). Other less frequent manifestations were enuresis (28,6 percent) and vulvitis in girls (26,1 percent). This intestinal parasitosis occurs with high frequency among schoolchildren in Ciudad Bolívar with characteristic and identifiable symptoms in most cases. The Graham method must be used for its diagnosis. This test is not routinely performed in our laboratories unless specifically requested by the attending physician

Oncogen C-erb B2: su expresión en un estudio inmuno-histoquímico de enfermedad de Paget extramamaria / C-erb B2 oncogene: its expression in Paget's extramammary disease

Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 69 años, de sexo femenino, con enfermedad de Paget extramamaria variante parianal, de 8 años de evolución, asociada a adenocarcinoma rectal subyacente, a quien se le realizan estudios histopatológicos convencionales, histoquímica e inmunohistoquímica, incluyendo en los mismos el anticuerpo monoclonal para el oncogen C-erb B2. Se destacan los aspectos salientes del mismo y se evalúa su utilización en esta entidad.