Sarcoidosis can present with necrotizing granulomas histologically: two cases of ulcerated sarcoidosis and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder with cutaneous involvement present in 25% of cases. The presence of naked granulomas histologically is the hallmark of sarcoidosis. The presence of necrotizing granulomas is highly suggestive of other granulomatous conditions and leads the clinician to pursue other diagnoses, such as infectious causes. OBJECTIVES: We describe two cases of sarcoidosis in which necrotizing granulomas were present on biopsy. Both patients had ulcerated cutaneous lesions of sarcoidosis. In one case, the presence of these atypical histologic features led to a delay in diagnosis of almost 10 years. We review the various histopathologic findings associated with cutaneous sarcoidosis and discuss a potential connection between ulcerated sarcoidosis and atypical histologic findings. CONCLUSION: When atypical histopathologic features are present, the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis should not be excluded.

Contact dermatitis to Vicks VapoRub.

Vicks VapoRub (VVR) is a commonly used inhalant ointment that helps relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. It contains several plant substances, including turpentine oil, eucalyptus oil, and cedar leaf oil, which can potentially irritate or sensitize the skin, as well as camphor, menthol, nutmeg oil, and thymol. Although many reports describe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to the various constituents in VVR ointment, there are no cases of VVR directly causing ACD. We present a case of a patient who developed an ACD secondary to application of her VVR.

Are excipients really inert ingredients? A review of adverse reactions to excipients in oral dermatologic medications in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Whereas several literature reviews have discussed the role of excipients in drug-related reactions, no article has focused specifically on those found in oral dermatologic medications. METHODS: The Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS) was used to reference the inert ingredients found in oral dermatologic medications. An extensive literature review was subsequently conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE to document adverse reactions to these excipients. RESULTS: Sixty-three oral dermatologic medications were reviewed. Lactose was commonly used as a filler. Several medications indicated that they were dye, tartrazine, or gluten free. Three medications were found to contain soybean oil and one was found to contain peanut oil. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are documented reactions to excipients in other products in the literature, few reports outline reactions to excipients in oral dermatologic medications. Whether this low frequency is accurate or whether it is due to a lack of reporting remains unknown. If the latter reasoning is correct, dermatologists must be more aware of these possible reactions. This article serves as a reference guide for dermatologists to aid in prescribing medications to individuals with known sensitivities and to assist in working up patients with suspected reactions to inert ingredients.

Propylene glycol dermatitis in the printing industry: the fundamental role of a workplace visit.

Workers in the printing industry serve as an example of a working population that is at high risk of developing occupational skin disease. Daily exposures include both irritants and sensitizing agents. While many substances have been associated with occupational contact dermatitis in this population, no detailed cases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from propylene glycol (PG) have been reported to date. We present a case of a printing tradesman who developed work-related ACD from PG and who was subsequently able to return to work after a multidisciplinary team assessment that included a comprehensive worksite visit by a clinical occupational hygienist.

Biologic survival.

BACKGROUND: The results of long-term studies on the efficacy and safety profiles of the biologics for patients with psoriasis are starting to appear in the literature. Not only are the results promising for the biologics as a whole, but the high number of patients remaining in these clinical trials after extended periods of time, or retention, may also reflect additional benefits of these biologics. The aim of this review was to manuscript aims to compare rates of attrition for the various biologic therapies in pivotal clinical trials in order to assess and compare adherence of patients to long-term use of the different biologic agents, also known as biologic survival. METHODS: An in-depth literature review was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE. Randomized, controlled trials utilizing biologic agents as monotherapy for the treatment of psoriasis were analyzed for patient numbers over time. Studies which provided data on patient retention for at least 24 weeks were selected, graphed, and compared. Reasons for discontinuation were noted. RESULTS: Nineteen trials were selected, graphed and charted to compare attrition rates of the various biologic therapies. Due to differences in sample size, study design, dosing regimens, study duration and limited data with regards to patient numbers, it is difficult to reach a definitive conclusion as to which biologic agent is associated with the lowest rate of discontinuation. However, given the data available, etanercept appears to be the most successful therapy in terms of patient retention in studies both greater than and less than 30 weeks. For the studies using various dosing regimens, intrastudy attrition rates are also compared. CONCLUSION: While the data available thus far on patient retention for the biologic therapies are very limited, preliminary conclusions can be drawn. Among the available biologic agents, etanercept appears to be associated with the lowest rate of discontinuation. This may be due to greater superior effiacy and to a decreased likelihood of experiencing adverse events.

Nail psoriasis and biologics.

BACKGROUND: Since the advent of biologic therapies for psoriasis, reports of efficacy in nail psoriasis have appeared in the literature and at international conferences with increasing frequency. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to review the existing literature on the use of biologics in the treatment of nail psoriasis. METHODS: An extensive literature review was conducted using OVID Medline. Studies examining the efficacy of biologics in the treatment of nail psoriasis were documented. RESULTS: A literature review revealed few clinical trials specifically concentrating on nail psoriasis; however, nails have been assessed in larger clinical trials for cutaneous psoriasis. A large, multicenter, phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of infliximab administered as a brief induction regimen at weeks 0, 2, and 6 followed by a single infusion every 8 weeks revealed statistically significant mean percent improvement in the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score over placebo at both week 10 (26.8% vs -7.7%, respectively; p < .001) and week 24 (57.2% vs -4.1%, respectively; p < .001). For other biologics, evidence has thus far been largely anecdotal, appearing as either case studies or extracted secondarily from open-label prospective trials in plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. CONCLUSION: Infliximab appears to be the most effective treatment for nail psoriasis to date.

Are all seborrheic keratoses benign? Review of the typical lesion and its variants.

BACKGROUND: Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is one of the more common benign epidermal neoplasms seen in adult and middle-aged patients. OBJECTIVE: As little is written in the literature about the variants of SK, this article aims to categorize and discuss the different subtypes and their important associations. METHODS: An in-depth literature search using OVID Medline and PubMed was conducted to classify the various subtypes of SK. Clinical variants were photographed and used to help document the subtypes. The pathology is described for each. RESULTS: Six subtypes of SK were identified: dermatosis papulosa nigra, stucco keratosis, inverted follicular keratosis, large cell acanthoma, lichenoid keratosis, and flat seborrheic keratosis. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of SKs are still largely debatable, several underlying mechanisms and contributing factors have been identified. All subtypes represent benign lesions, and treatment is usually done for cosmetic reasons. Several of the subtypes may act as cutaneous markers for internal malignancy and should be monitored closely for any atypical changes. CONCLUSION: Although all subtypes of SK are benign, their association with other malignant lesions and ability to serve as cutaneous markers of internal malignancy emphasize the importance of correctly identifying all variants.

Treatment of severe facial psoriasis with adalimumab.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis of the skin is in itself a disturbing disorder both physically and psychologically. However, most often the scaly plaques can be hidden by clothing. When psoriasis involves the face it can be more disabling and can decrease the patient's quality of life. Facial psoriasis is difficult to treat and is associated with severe cutaneous disease. Patients who have a long duration of psoriasis or early age of onset are more likely to suffer from facial involvement. Facial psoriasis may also be associated with pruritus, psoriatic arthritis, and with a family history of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: The authors report a case of a female patient with psoriasis with severe cutaneous disease and extensive facial involvement successfully treated with adalimumab. This 50-year-old Caucasian female had a history of cutaneous psoriasis since 1990 and psoriatic arthritis since 2005. The patient had associated pruritus and a family history (maternal). Systematic treatment with mycophenolate mofetil and acitretin proved unsuccessful. The patient also lost efficacy after months of ultraviolet light B and topical psoralen plus ultraviolet light A phototherapy. RESULTS: In 2007, the patient was screened and initiated therapy with a monoclonal humanized tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor, adalimumab. She had severe facial and body involvement with a body surface area of 25%, a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index of 20.4 (PASI), and a head and neck psoriasis area and severity index (HNPASI) of 3.6. Photographic documentation was carried out with improvement noted as soon as 4 weeks with continuing significant response thereafter. No adverse effects were noted. The patient's quality of life also improved. LIMITATIONS: Although severe facial psoriasis is rare and associated with only the most extensive and severe psoriatic cases, it is likely the most psychologically disturbing and cosmetically disrupting to the patient because it cannot easily be covered or concealed. The authors hope this case can illustrate an excellent therapeutic option for these patients. CONCLUSION: Although facial psoriasis is difficult to treat, with newer systemic therapy now available in the form of biologics, patients now have a hope for this disease, especially devastating when associated with severe and extensive cutaneous involvement. The case gives promise in a serial photo-documented fashion of the success that can be achieved.