Comparison of Demographic and Photobiological Features of Chronic Actinic Dermatitis in Patients With Lighter vs Darker Skin Types.

Importance: Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is classically described in older, white men, although increasing reports describe younger patients with darker skin types, particularly South Asians. Photocontact allergy occurs in CAD but is less studied than contact allergy in this exquisitely photosensitive condition. Objective: To evaluate for differences in demographic and photobiological features between persons with darker and lighter skin types who have CAD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective review included 70 consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing investigation for photosensitivity who were diagnosed with CAD from November 1, 2000, through August 31, 2015, at the specialist Photobiology Unit of a tertiary academic referral center. Main Outcomes and Measures: Patient age, sex, ethnicity, clinical features, and phototesting outcomes. Results: A total of 70 patients (37 men [53%] and 33 women [47%]; mean [SD] age, 50.9 [2.3] years) were diagnosed with CAD. Of these, 36 were non-Hispanic and non-Latino white, 31 were Asian (including 24 South Asian, 4 East Asian, and 3 Middle Eastern), and 3 were black. Patients were aged 9 to 83 years at diagnosis, with a mean (SD) age at onset of 42.6 (2.4) years and duration of disease of 8.8 (1.3) years. Forty-one had lighter skin types (Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV), and 29 had darker skin types (Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI). Patients with darker skin types and CAD were younger at diagnosis (mean [SD] age, 40.7 [3.5] vs 58.1 [2.5] years; P < . 001) and had earlier onset of photosensitivity (mean [SD] age, 35.5 [3.9] vs 47.5 [2.9] years; P = .01) compared with patients with lighter skin types. Of note, the male to female ratio in the lighter skin group was 2:1 compared with 1:2 in the darker skin group. Phototest reactions were equally severe in Fitzpatrick skin types V to VI and I to IV, with minimal erythemal doses to monochromatic UV-B, UV-A, and visible radiation and broadband provocation testing showing similar results. Photoallergic contact reactions to UV filters, personal sunscreen products, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were seen in both groups; 14 of 61 patients (23%) undergoing photopatch testing showed positive photopatch reactions. Conclusions and Relevance: Chronic actinic dermatitis presents with an earlier age at onset and an inverted male to female ratio in patients with darker compared with lighter skin types. Clinicians should thus be cognizant of CAD in younger women with darker skin types. Photopatch testing should be considered in patients with CAD, with coexistent photocontact allergy occurring in a substantial proportion.

Novel systemic therapies for the treatment of psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: The immunopathogenesis of psoriasis has led to the discovery and development of several promising treatment options for psoriasis, including those that target the IL-17 and IL-23 pathways as well as small molecules that act on intracellular signaling pathways including the Janus kinase inhibitor and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. Studies have demonstrated efficacy although long-term risks are not fully known. This review looks at novel systemic therapies for psoriasis that have emerged recently. AREAS COVERED: Systemic treatments for psoriasis that are in the late phase of development were reviewed, with the main focus on the efficacy and adverse effects of individual treatments. EXPERT OPINION: The future of psoriasis treatment is likely to be based on clinical, genetic and immune biomarkers that will individualize treatment and may potentially optimize disease outcome.

Pyoderma gangrenosum: a commonly overlooked ulcerative condition.

BACKGROUND: Pyoderma ga ngrenosum (PG) is a rare, inflammatory, destructive neutrophilic dermatosis, which mimics other ulcerative conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study based on patients diagnosed with PG over a 3-year period (2010-2013), we evaluated demographics, anatomical sites, number of lesions, subtypes, histopathology, associated conditions, treatment regimens, healing time, and recurrence. RESULTS: Of our five patients, there were three males and two females, age ranging between 19 and 58 years (mean age 38 years). Four had single lesions localized to the lower limbs while one had multiple lesions (more than five) over bilateral hands and legs. Ulcerative subtype was observed in all the patients. One exhibited pathergy. Skin biopsies were done in four patients, revealing dense neutrophilic infiltrates in three cases and leukocytoclastic vasculitis in one. Associated systemic diseases were observed in all patients, four having inflammatory bowel disease and one having both systemic lupus erythematosus and anti-phospholipid syndrome. The patients were all treated with systemic corticosteroids either alone or in combination with immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus), and wound dressing. Split-thickness skin graft was done in one patient. Complete healing was achieved in all patients, ranging from one to 3 months after diagnosis. No recurrence was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic corticosteroids, either alone or in combination with steroid-sparing agents are the mainstay of treatment. Should family physicians encounter a rapidly progressing ulcer that has poor response to usual wound management, timely referral to dermatology should be made.

An unusual collision tumour masquerading as a basal cell carcinoma on the nose.

When two or more cutaneous tumours coexist in a single lesion, it is known as a cutaneous collision or contiguous tumour. Various combinations of collisions have been described. Collision tumours often have misleading clinical and histological presentations, and can be a diagnostic challenge. Chondroid syringomas are mixed cutaneous tumours of dual origin, and like collision tumours, are often confused with the more commonly seen cutaneous lesions. As chondroid syringomas are rare, their involvement in collision tumours is an even more peculiar occurrence. We report an unusual case of a cutaneous collision tumour on the nose involving an intradermal naevus and chondroid syringoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time such a combination is reported.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma in monozygotic twins.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is usually a benign condition mainly seen in infants and children. It frequently presents as asymptomatic discrete papules on the head, trunk, and limbs. Extracutaneous manifestations, most commonly ocular, are rare but may be associated with significant morbidity. The etiology of juvenile xanthogranuloma is uncertain, although the occurrence in monozygotic twins may suggest genetic predisposition.