Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Exfoliative/chemically induced , Dermatitis, Photoallergic/etiology , Doxycycline/adverse effects , Drug Eruptions/etiology , Aged , Dermatitis, Exfoliative/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Photoallergic/diagnosis , Doxycycline/therapeutic use , Drug Eruptions/diagnosis , Erythema Chronicum Migrans/drug therapy , Female , HumansSubject(s)
Hypopigmentation/pathology , Adult , Female , Fluorescence , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Melanosomes/ultrastructure , Microscopy, ElectronABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign granulomatous and inflammatory skin disorder. The pathogenesis remains enigmatic and convincingly effective treatment options are not available. Inspired by a report showing photodynamic therapy (PDT) to be effective in a single patient with GA, we sought to evaluate this benefit in a series of patients with GA. OBSERVATIONS: PDT was performed in 7 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed GA located at the extremities. First, 20% ALA gel was applied under an occlusive dressing for 5 h, followed by illumination with 100 J/cm(2) by a standard red-light source. In total, 2-3 PDT sessions were performed, with an interval of 2-4 weeks between each session. Treatment was stopped when complete remission was achieved or when GA lesions remained unchanged after 2 consecutive PDT sessions. The overall response rate was 57%. In 2 patients (29%), GA cleared completely, in 2 patients (29%) the skin lesions improved markedly and in 3 patients (43%) no clinical response could be observed. CONCLUSION: These promising results should be evaluated in larger controlled studies. In selected patients, PDT might be a valuable recruit for the sparse armory available to treat GA.
Subject(s)
Aminolevulinic Acid/administration & dosage , Elbow , Granuloma Annulare/drug therapy , Hand , Leg , Photochemotherapy/methods , Photosensitizing Agents/administration & dosage , Administration, Cutaneous , Aged , Female , Granuloma Annulare/pathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection in children with atopic diathesis and not rare in HIV patients. We report a 45-year-old psoriasis patient who developed eruptive mollusca contagiosa during an antipsoriatic treatment with efalizumab.
