[How to investigate....A darkened skin lesion during pregnancy. A difficult task for the clinician]. / Comment j'explore ... une tache noire au cours de la grossesse. Une tâche parfois difficile pour le clinicien.

Cancers rarely coexist with pregnancy. Cutaneous melanoma, however, is one of the most frequently encountered neoplasms during pregnancy. Gestation may also be a period during which the aspect of some melanocytic naevi can change eventhough the tumor remains benign. Distinction between a benign and a malignant lesion may then be a dilemma. Clinical morphometry, dermoscopy, skin surface biopsy, conventional histology and immunohistochemistry are valuable means that can be used to secure maximum diagnostic confidence.

[Aroma and perfume allergy: anathema for some epicurean appeal?]. / L'allergie aux arômes et parfums: anathème sur un attrait épicurien?

Aromas and fragrances are present in many cosmetics, some topical drugs, food and various hygiene, household and industrial products. They can be responsible for contact dermatitis. Multiple sensitizations can even involve in various combinations some fragrance compounds, a given degradation product or a contaminant. The diagnosis relies on clinical examination and oriented anamnesis. A histological examination is sometimes necessary. Specific path testing brings insight on the culprit chemical compounds.

[Relativity of the management of skin cancers. A plea for synergy between general practitioners and the dermatologist-oncologist]. / Relativité de la prise en charge des cancers cutanés. Plaidoyer pour la synergie entre le médecin généraliste et le dermatologue-oncologue.

The clinical diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous cancers represent a frequent situation in cancerology. About one third of all human cancers take their origin from the skin. The general practitioner and the dermatologist-oncologist play the key role in that field of health care.

Climacteric skin ageing of the face--a prospective longitudinal comparative trial on the effect of oral hormone replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: It is still a matter of debate whether HRT improves the physical quality of sun damaged skin. OBJECTIVES: To compare in a prospective longitudinal study the effects of climacteric aging controlled or not by HRT upon the tensile properties of facial skin. METHOD: A total of 140 women aged 40-52 years were enrolled in the study. The HRT group comprised 90 volunteers and a control group encompassed 50 non recipient volunteers. Yearly measurements of tensile functions of facial skin were performed for 5 years. A computerized suction device equipped with a 2-mm diameter hollow probe derived tensile variables quantifying skin distensibility, viscosity and elasticity. RESULTS: Climacteric aging was characterized by increased skin distensibility (1.1% per year) and viscosity (1.3% per year) mirrored by a decrease in elasticity (1.5% per year). HRT helped mitigate such changes. However, the HRT efficacy was not similar in all volunteers. Groups of good and poor responders were clearly identified as far as benefit on skin elasticity was concerned. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effect of HRT upon climacteric skin aging of the face is confirmed, at least in a subgroup of menopausal women.

[Cutaneous melanomas, a spectrum of emerging cancers in women of Wallonia. Outlook by the Mosan Study Group of Pigmented Neoplasms]. / Les mélanomes cutanés, un spectre de cancers émergents chez la femme en région Wallonne. Un regard porté par le Groupe Mosan d'Etude des Tumeurs Pigmentaires.

The Mosan Study Group of Pigmented Neoplasms was founded about 15 years ago. It has collected more than 20,000 cutaneous malignancies including melanomas and basal and squamous cell carcinomas. The incidence of these cancers is on the rise in Wallonia. In particular, malignant melanomas represent a spectrum of emerging cancers characterized by a proteiform biological outcome. They mostly affect young women. The major risk factor appears to be iterative and unwise ultraviolet exposures. The prevention of melanomas is basically founded on such a dogma and accordingly relies on sunscreens. However, controversies about their beneficial effects are rife and fueled by axiomas and contradictory sophisms. At the exception of surgery, the therapeutic options for the diverse types of melanomas do not yet fulfill the scope of evidence-based medicine.

[Atopic dermatitis]. / La dermatite atopique.

For the past decades, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis is on the rise. Three phases of the disease are recognized according to the age of the patient, either in the newborn age, in infancy or after puberty. A partial enzymatic defect in delta-6 desaturase has been reported. Such metabolic anomaly would be responsible for the alterations in both the skin barrier function and in the Th2 inflammatory reactions in part mediated through IgE. Some microorganisms colonizing the skin play an important causal role in the clinical exacerbations. The influence of food allergy on atopic dermatitis remains obscure and often unconvincing. By contrast, irritant and allergic challenges from the environment exhibit an undisputable worsening effect. The prevention relies on the eviction of predisposing factors and is favourably influenced by emollients specifically designed for atopic dermatitis. A food supplementation in alpha-linoleic acid and some specific chinese herbal remedies might well be useful. The treatment relies primarily on topical applications of corticoids. Puva-therapy, UVB phototherapy and immunomodulation by cyclosporine are indicated for difficult cases.

Dendrocytoclasis in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

We studied by immunohistochemistry the fate of factor XIIIa-positive dermal dendrocytes in Henoch-Schönlein purpura. We have observed apoptosis affecting most of the perivascular dendrocytes. Such an aspect of dendrocytoclasis has never previously been reported in inflammatory disorders in the absence of vasculitis.

Pathogenesis of ulcerations in deficiency of prolidase. The role of angiopathy and of deposits of amyloid.

The structure of the skin and the pattern of alteration in chronic ulcerations associated with deficiency of prolidase have been studied superficially in the past. We examined histologically several biopsies taken from apparently normal skin and from ulcerations afflicting a young woman with such a syndrome. Deposits of amyloid were found within the walls of medium-sized vessels and occasionally occluding their lumens. Impaired cutaneous microcirculation resulting from statis, moderate vasculitis, and abnormal structure of the dermis may be responsible for the regional preponderance of deposits of amyloid and ulcerations in the legs.