Pattern of dermatoses in Iraqi children.

The prevalence of paediatric dermatoses has risen in Iraq from 33.5% in 1987 to 40.9% in 2010. The objective of this study was to document the pattern of dermatoses in Iraqi children attending the outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 663 children under the age of 12 years who attended for dermatological consultation during 2008. The study showed that the prevailing dermatoses were as follow: infectious (32.3%), eczematous (20.8%), pigmentary (17.8%), papulosquamous (14.2%), drug-induced (4.5%), nutritional deficiency (1.8%) and miscellaneous (8.6%). The studied patterns of dermatoses were similar to that reported in other developing countries.

Juvenile gangrenous vasculitis of the scrotum: Is it a variant of pyoderma gangrenosum?

Juvenile gangrenous vasculitis of the scrotum was described by Piñol et al in 1974 as a unique variant of scrotal gangrene of unknown origin, occurring exclusively in young individuals. It was characterized by an acute onset of skin ulcers undergoing complete resolution after appropriate therapy, with no relapses. We present a typical case of this extremely rare disease affecting a 16-year-old boy in whom the scrotal ulcerations were preceded by an episode of pharyngitis with fever. The condition promptly regressed after administration of intramuscular betamethasone in combination with oral ciprofloxacin. According to Piñol et al, juvenile gangrenous vasculitis of the scrotum, although poorly known to dermatologists, should be regarded as a distinctive entity within the wide group of scrotal gangrenes. On the other hand, the hypothesis that this condition may well represent a variant of pyoderma gangrenosum is discussed.

Distinguishing vesicular and pustular disorders in the neonate.

Vesicular and pustular disorders are common in the neonatal period. Most are benign, but several serious infectious and noninfectious diseases can present in the neonate. This review focuses on the clinical features of these disorders as well as recent advances in the field. The following diseases are discussed: erythema toxicum, transient neonatal pustular melanosis, miliaria, neonatal acne, eosinophilic folliculitis, mastocytosis, acropustulosis of infancy, incontinentia pigmenti, scabies, neonatal and congenital candidiasis, syphilis, neonatal herpes simplex infections, neonatal varicella, and staphylococcal infections.

Histopathologic features of superficial granulomatous pyoderma.

Study of the histopathologic pattern of 28 cases of superficial granulomatous pyoderma demonstrated an ulcerative, verrucous pyoderma of the superficial dermis. Focal abscesses in the subepidermis or dermis were juxtaposed with granuloma formation and plasma cell inflammation. Hemorrhage and granulation tissue were present. The clinical lesions are indolent, and this feature is confirmed by chronic inflammatory elements, including sinus tract formation and focal fibrosis. Superficial granulomatous pyoderma must be added to the histologic differential diagnosis of the vegetative and ulcerative granulomas: blastomycosis, tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, and bromoderma.

Malignant pyoderma or pyoderma gangrenosum of the head and neck?

Malignant pyoderma is a rapidly progressive ulcerating process of unknown origin that predominantly affects the head and neck of young adults. Malignant pyoderma has been considered distinct from pyoderma gangrenosum because of the predominant head and neck location of the ulcers and because the ulcers lack undermining and surrounding erythema. A case of a 22-year-old woman with a severe ulcerative process predominantly affecting the head and neck is described. A review of the literature indicates that malignant pyoderma and pyoderma gangrenosum are almost certainly identical disorders.