Influence of Subclinical Anxiety and Depression on Quality of Life and Perception of Facial Paralysis.

Introduction: Patients with facial paralysis have increased psychosocial distress, which affects overall quality of life (QOL). Objective: To evaluate the relationship between QOL and paralysis severity among patients with subclinical anxiety and/or depression. Methods: Patients with facial paralysis were screened for anxiety and depression using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 surveys. QOL scores (Facial Clinimetric Evaluation) and paralysis severity scores (House-Brackmann [HB] and Sunnybrook [SB]) were collected. Patients with a mental health diagnosis or treatment were excluded. Univariate and multivariate analyses and Pearson's correlations were performed after stratifying by anxiety and/or depression screenings. Results: Positive anxiety and depression screening rates were 25.78% and 22.66%, respectively. Patients screening positive had significantly worse QOL scores despite no difference in paralysis severity. QOL scores did not correlate with SB scores among patients who screened positive for depression. Conclusion: Patients screening positive for anxiety and/or depression demonstrated worse QOL, which did not correlate with paralysis severity suggesting that health care professionals should remain alert to mental health symptoms when QOL impairment is out of proportion with the severity of paralysis.

Red crusty plaques in a young man.

Pemphigus foliaceus is a superficial blistering disorder characterized by erosions and scaling in a seborrheic distribution. The condition typically occurs in healthy individuals but issues arise from delayed diagnosis. Many cases remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to the lack of awareness of the condition. With use of common diagnostic tools, pemphigus foliaceus can be easily identified and monitored. Histological analysis exhibits "chicken wire" patterning along keratinocytes in the upper epidermis, whereas immunofluorescence study displays subcorneal acantholysis. Pemphigus foliaceus is confirmed via ELISA studies revealing the presence of autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. Once correctly diagnosed, typically the condition is responsive to corticosteroid therapy. However in recalcitrant cases such as in ours, adjunctive immunosuppressive therapy with dapsone or rituximab may be indicated.

Dermatologic Applications of Polypodium leucotomos: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Polypodium leucotomos (PL) is a natural extract from tropical fern leaves with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been implicated as a potential treatment agent in multiple dermatologic conditions. OBJECTIVE: Here, we review the mechanism of action and current dermatologic applications of PL and extrapolate potential future dermatologic applications of PL. DESIGN: An extensive literature review on Pubmed was conducted in search of relevant background information and human studies utilizing PL for the treatment of dermatologic conditions. METHODS: Using the PubMed database, a literature search was conducted to identify relevant publications. "Polypodium leucotomos" was input as the key search criterion. The results were filtered by species (human) and language (English). Only papers with dermatologic applications were selected. Additionally, relevant publications found in the reference sections of selected articles were manually searched and selected. Included articles explore the origin, basic science mechanism, and various dermatologic applications of PL studied in humans. Each article was thoroughly studied by all authors and applicable data from each was used for the compilation of this review article. RESULTS: See Table 1 for a summary of dermatologic applications of PL based on available human clinical studies. LIMITATIONS: There was a limited number of human studies concerning the use of PL for treatment of dermatologic conditions and, of the available studies, many were of a small sample size. CONCLUSION: PL has a clinically significant role for the treatment and prevention of certain dermatologic conditions including: photoprotection, photocarcinogenesis, photoaging, vitiligo, melasma, and polymorphic light eruption. There is supporting evidence for its use in malignant melanoma high-risk patients, for enhanced actinic keratosis clearance following photodynamic therapy, and for symptomatic relief in atopic dermatitis. Potential clinical uses that require additional human clinical studies include solar urticaria, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and other photosensitive cutaneous disorders.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis masquerading as cutaneous connective tissue disease.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare type of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by coral-toned papules with predilection for dorsal surfaces in addition to severe arthropathy. It sometimes proves difficult to differentiate these joint and skin findings clinically from certain rheumatologic diseases, primarily dermatomyositis. Herein, we present an 82-year-old woman who presented with the clinical findings described above and was subsequently diagnosed with MRH after biopsy and review of relevant clinical history. Because about 25% of patients diagnosed with MRH have an underlying occult malignancy, our patient underwent a complete malignancy workup that was negative. She was treated with systemic corticosteroids and methotrexate, which resulted in an improvement of the arthritis and constitutional symptoms. This case demonstrates that in patients with both rheumatologic and dermatologic symptoms, particularly on acral surfaces, MRH must be a diagnostic consideration. Identifying this disease early in its course can prevent negative consequences for the patients, specifically arthritis mutilans and upper airway involvement.

Cutaneous ganglioneuroma: A case report and discussion of the literature.

Ganglioneuromas (GNs) are benign tumors composed of ganglion cells in a Schwannian stroma. They are derived from neural crest cells that give rise to the sympathetic nervous system. Hence, GNs can be found anywhere a sympathetic ganglion is present. Most commonly, GNs are found in the posterior mediastinum and abdominal cavity. Within the abdominal cavity, they are most likely to be found in the retroperitoneal space or adrenal glands. Cutaneous involvement is uncommon and rarely reported in literature. We report an interesting case of a cutaneous ganglioneuroma on the abdomen of an 83-year-old male.

Drug-induced anti-Ro positive subacute cutaneous lupus in a man treated with olmesartan.

A 66-year-old man presented to the outpatient dermatology clinic with a chief complaint of a pruritic rash on his upper trunk and proximal upper extremities, which had been present for three weeks. Upon examination, he was found to have an erythematous, annular, and polycyclic eruption on the chest, upper back, and proximal extremities. A clinical diagnosis of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) was made. The patient was found to have a positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) in a speckled pattern and a positive anti-Ro antibody. A biopsy revealed an interface and lichenoid dermatitis with dermal mucin deposition, consistent with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The patient reported that he had recently been diagnosed with hypertension and began treatment with olmesartan, a potassium-sparing diuretic that blocks the angiotensin II receptor, commonly used as an antihypertensive or in patients with heart failure. Cutaneous reactions to olmesartan are rare and reported in <1% of patients in post-marketing surveillance. The patient discontinued use of olmesartan and the rash completely resolved within three weeks. To date, there are no other reported cases of drug induced SCLE in patients taking olmesartan to our knowledge.

Basaloid Follicular Hamartoma: A Case Report and a Novel Cosmetic Treatment.

Introduction: Basaloid follicular hamartoma (BFH) is a rare, benign neoplasm of the hair follicle, characterized by multiple brown papules involving the face, scalp, and trunk. It is described by multiple clinical forms, and can present as localized or generalized. Diagnosis is made histologically via biopsy, which is important in order to distinguish BFH from basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or other malignant epithelial neoplasms. Correct diagnosis allows for the avoidance of unnecessary surgeries to remove benign lesions. While benign, lesions can be cosmetically unacceptable. Case Report: A 68-year-old man with a two-year history of brown, homogenous papules on his face presented to discuss treatment options. A physical examination revealed hundreds of dark brown, 1- to 3mm verrucous papules distributed throughout the face. Two punch biopsies revealed histologic features consistent with BFH. Discussion: BFHs classically present with multiple 1- to 2mm tan-to-brown-colored papules distributed on the face, scalp, neck, axilla, trunk, and pubic area. Differential diagnoses can include nevus sebaceous, lichen striatus, linear epidermal nevus, and basal cell nevus. BFH arises from a mutation in the patch gene, the same gene thought to cause nevoid BCC syndrome. Histologic examination of BFH lesions is essential to diagnosis. No standard of care exists for BFH; treatment options remain limited. This patient was treated with three rounds of pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy and showed marked improvement in the treated areas. The authors propose PDL to be a safe, effective, and novel cosmetic treatment for BFH and potentially other adnexal tumors.