Intralesional methotrexate versus 5-flurouracil in the treatment of keratoacanthoma.

BACKGROUND: Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a benign neoplasm that affects mainly photodamaged skin. It is locally destructive and may rarely spread. Surgery is not always suitable and usually disfiguring. Thus, non-operative modalities represent good alternatives. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the efficacy of intralesional methotrexate (MTX) and 5-flurouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of KA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trial included 20 patients with biopsy proven KA divided into 2 equal groups; group (A) received intralesional MTX, 25 mg/ml and group (B) received intralesional 5-FU, 50 mg/ml every 2 weeks till complete clearance or for a maximum 5 sessions. RESULTS: In the MTX group, complete clearance was observed in 7 patients (70%) compared to 8 patients (80%) in the 5- FU group with no statistically significant difference. However, the median number of injections needed to achieve complete response in the MTX group was 3 sessions versus only 2 sessions in the 5-FU group. LIMITATIONS: the small sample size due to the relatively low incidence of KAs in our population. CONCLUSION: Intralesional therapy is a good alternative to surgery in selected cases of KA. Both drugs showed comparable efficacy, but 5-FU may give faster results, hence increasing patient satisfaction and compliance.

Vergleich der fraktionierten laserunterstützten Medikamentengabe und der intraläsionalen Injektion von Triamcinolonacetonid bei Nagelpsoriasis.

HINTERGRUND UND ZIELE: Die Behandlung der Nagelpsoriasis ist wegen mangelnder Penetration topischer Therapeutika durch die Nagelplatte häufig unbefriedigend. Daher sind innovative Methoden zur adäquaten Verabreichung des Arzneimittels in den Nagel erforderlich. In dieser Studie vergleichen wir die Wirksamkeit der intraläsionalen Corticosteroid-Injektion mit topischer Applikation nach fraktionierter CO2 -Laser-Behandlung bei Fingernagelpsoriasis. PATIENTEN UND METHODEN: In der Studie wurden 36 Patienten mit Fingernagelpsoriasis in zwei Gruppen eingeteilt. Bei Gruppe A wurden die Nägel mit intraläsionalen Injektionen von Triamcinolon behandelt, in Gruppe B durch fraktionierte CO2 -Lasertherapie, gefolgt von topischer Applikation des Arzneimittels in sechs Sitzungen. Die Beurteilung erfolgte anhand des NAPSI und eines dermatoskopischen Scores. ERGEBNISSE: Beide Modalitäten führten zu signifikanter Besserung der Psoriasis an Nagelmatrix und Nagelbett. Statistisch signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen bestanden weder klinisch noch dermatoskopisch. Die Laserbehandlung war mit signifikant geringeren Schmerz-Scores (P = 0,03) und höherer Patientenzufriedenheit (P = 0,007) verbunden. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die fraktionierte CO2 -Laser-unterstützte Applikation topischer Steroide könnte eine effektive und gut verträgliche Therapie der Nagelpsoriasis sein, die eine der intraläsionalen Injektion vergleichbare Wirksamkeit hat.

Comparison of fractional laser-assisted drug delivery and intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide in nail psoriasis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment of nail psoriasis is often unsatisfactory due to poor penetration of topical therapeutics through the nail plate. The development of innovative methods that provide adequate delivery of the drug into the nail is warranted. In this study, we aim to compare the efficacy of intralesional corticosteroid injection versus its topical application after fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of fingernail psoriasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 36 patients with fingernail psoriasis divided into two groups. The nails in group A were treated with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide while the nails in group B received fractional CO2 laser therapy followed by topical application of the drug for six sessions. The evaluation was performed using NAPSI and dermatoscopic scores. RESULTS: Both modalities yielded a significant improvement of the nail matrix and bed psoriatic signs. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups by both clinical and dermatoscopic assessment. The laser treatment was associated with significantly lower pain scores (P = 0.03) and higher patient satisfaction (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Fractional CO2 laser-assisted delivery of topical corticosteroids can be a potentially effective and well-tolerated therapeutic modality in the treatment of nail psoriasis with comparable efficacy to intralesional injection.

Fractional CO2 Laser-Assisted Delivery Versus Intralesional Injection of Methotrexate in Psoriatic Nails.

BACKGROUND: Nail psoriasis has a major negative impact on physical and psychological aspects of the patient's life. Treatment is often unsatisfactory because of difficult penetration of the drug into the nail. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of laser-assisted delivery of methotrexate versus its intralesional injection in fingernail psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with fingernail psoriasis were divided into 2 groups of 14 patients each. Group A was treated with intralesional injection of methotrexate while Group B received fractional CO2 laser followed by topical application of methotrexate. The treatment was given at a 2-week interval for 6 sessions. The improvement of nail psoriasis was assessed by clinical and dermoscopic evaluation. RESULTS: At the end of treatment, both laser-assisted delivery and intralesional injection of methotrexate were associated with statistically significant improvement of psoriatic signs. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups regarding total nail psoriasis severity Index (p = .18), matrix score (p = .38), bed score (p = .23), and dermoscopic score (p = .78). However, the pain and subungual hematoma were significantly less in the laser group (p < .001 and p = .03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Fractional CO2 laser-assisted delivery of methotrexate can be an effective and well-tolerated alternative to intralesional injection in nail psoriasis.

Intralesional immunotherapy for the treatment of anogenital warts in pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of anogenital warts is increasing in adults as well as in pediatric population. The treatment of anogenital warts is challenging, particularly in children as most conventional modalities are painful and associated with high recurrence rates. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional immunotherapy for the treatment of anogenital warts in pediatric patients. METHODS: Forty child presenting with multiple anogenital warts were randomly assigned into 3 groups. The first group (15 patients) received intralesional MMR vaccine, the second group (15 patients) received intralesional Candida antigen and the third group (10 patients) received intralesional saline as a control. Each modality was injected into the largest wart at 2-week intervals until complete clearance or for a maximum of 5 sessions. RESULTS: Highly significant difference was found between the therapeutic response of anogenital warts to both MMR vaccine and Candida antigen compared to intralesional saline (p = .005). No significant difference was observed between MMR vaccine and Candida antigen groups (p = .885). Side effects were mild and no recurrence was detected in the 6 month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional immunotherapy is a promising effective and well-tolerated treatment modality for multiple anogenital warts in children.

Fractional carbon dioxide laser versus trichloroacetic acid peel in the treatment of pseudo-acanthosis nigricans.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of acanthosis nigricans (AN) is challenging, and new modalities are being explored continuously to increase the therapeutic efficacy. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser compared to trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel in the treatment of pseudo-acanthosis nigricans (pseudo-AN). METHODS: The study included 40 patients with pseudo-AN on the neck and axilla allocated into two groups each containing 20 patients. Group (A) was treated with TCA 20% peel applied on the pigmented area while group (B) received fractional CO2 laser. Both treatments were performed till complete clearance or for a maximum of four treatment sessions. Patients with excellent response were further followed up for 6 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Both modalities were effective in the treatment of pseudo-AN; however, the therapeutic response was significantly higher in the fractional CO2 laser group compared to the TCA peel group (p < 0.01). Marked to excellent response (51%-100% clearance of AN lesions) was achieved in 85% of the patients in the fractional laser group versus 10% of the patients in the TCA group. Adverse effects, for example, persistent erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and burning sensation, were also statistically higher in the TCA group compared to the laser group (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Fractional CO2 laser is a promising effective and well-tolerated treatment modality for pseudo-acanthosis nigricans.

Intralesional Acyclovir: A Potential Therapeutic Option for Cutaneous Warts.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of warts is challenging and the development of an antiviral drug that can eradicate the human papilloma virus (HPV) is difficult. The viral origin of warts suggests that acyclovir, an antiviral drug with a proven efficacy in DNA viruses, may be a potential therapeutic option. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional acyclovir in the treatment of cutaneous warts. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with cutaneous warts were allocated into 2 groups. Group A (19 patients) had intralesional acyclovir (70 mg/ml) injected into the warts, while group B (12 patients) received intralesional saline as control. The treatment was repeated at 2 week intervals until complete clearance or for a maximum of 5 sessions. RESULTS: Complete clearance of warts was observed in 52.6%, partial response in 36.8%, and no response in 10.5% of the patients in the acyclovir group. Partial response was reported in 16.7%, and no response in 83.3% of the patients in the control group. A high statistically significant difference was found between the treatment and control groups (P < .01). Adverse effects included pain during injection in 89.5%, blistering in 52.6% and erythema in5.3% of the patients. No recurrence was detected during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Intralesional acyclovir can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment modality for cutaneous warts.

Correlation of serum interleukin 17 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels with clinical response to intralesional Candida antigen and their potential use as predictors of clinical outcome in patients with multiple common warts.

BACKGROUND: Candida antigen injection is one of the most widely used intralesional immunotherapy in the treatment of warts. It acts through the induction of systemic immune response. The pattern of cytokines production may play an integral role in its mechanism of action. AIM: To investigate the possible relation between serum levels of IL17 and MIF, and the clinical response to intralesional Candida antigen in multiple common warts. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with multiple common warts were divided into 2 groups. Sixty patients received intralesional Candida antigen injection into the largest wart, controlled against thirty patients who had intralesional saline, as placebo. The injection was done at a 2-week interval for 5 doses. Blood samples were obtained from both groups, and serum levels of IL17A and MIF were estimated at baseline and 2 weeks after the last session using ELISA kits. RESULTS: Complete clearance of warts was statistically higher in the Candida antigen group (40% of the patients) compared to the saline group (p < 0.05). The serum levels of IL17 had significantly declined from baseline, while the level of MIF had risen after intralesional Candida antigen injection, but not in the saline group. At a cutoff level of 316 pg/ml, IL17 had a sensitivity of 83.3% to predict therapeutic response. CONCLUSION: IL17A and MIF may have possible roles in the mechanism of action of Candida antigen in the treatment of common warts. At a certain level, serum IL17A may be a potential predictor of response to treatment.

H syndrome: A review of treatment options and a hypothesis of phenotypic variability.

H syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with clinical features comprising: hyperpigmentation, hypertrichosis, hearing loss, heart anomalies, low height, hypogonadism and hepatosplenomegaly. H syndrome results from loss-of-function mutations in SLC29A3 which leads to abnormal proliferation and function of histiocytes. Herein, we discuss the considerable phenotypic heterogeneity detected in a consanguineous Egyptian family comprising of four affected siblings, two of which are monozygotic twin and the possible therapeutics. The phenotypic variability may be attributed to the role of histiocytes in the tissue response to injury. Such variable expressivity of H syndrome renders the diagnosis challenging and delays the management. The different treatment approaches used for this rare entity are reviewed.

Fractional carbon dioxide laser versus carbon-assisted Q-switched Nd: YAG laser in the treatment of dilated facial pores.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of dilated facial pores is difficult, and the ideal modality is not established yet. Different ablative and nonablative lasers have been used in the treatment of dilated pores with variable outcomes. AIM: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser versus carbon-assisted Q-switched Nd: YAG laser in dilated facial pores. METHODS: The study included 80 patients with dilated pores divided into two groups each containing 40 patients. Group (A) had fractional CO2 laser treatment, and group (B) received Q-switched Nd: YAG laser treatment after the application of a carbon solution on the face. The treatment was repeated monthly for a total of 3 sessions. Objective and subjective assessments of the clinical outcome were performed. RESULTS: Both modalities significantly improved the dilated pores; however, the clinical response was statistically higher and the improvement was maintained for a longer duration of time in the factional laser group compared with the carbon-assisted Q-switched Nd: YAG laser group (p = 0.01). The downtime was significantly lower in the Q-switched Nd: YAG laser group, and the patients' satisfaction rates were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: The two laser systems appear to be effective, safe, and well-tolerated in the treatment of dilated pores. The fractional CO2 laser was associated with a significantly higher and more prolonged clinical response.

Atypical presentations of erythema nodosum leprosum: Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Classic erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is characterized clinically by abrupt eruption of tender erythematous nodules, papules and plaques. Variable atypical patterns have been described, for example pustular, bullous, ulcerative, necrotic and Sweet's syndrome-like ENL. We aim to review previously reported cases of atypical ENL addressing the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of these uncommon presentations. A search of medical literature for all cases of atypical ENL was conducted in the PubMed database till 2020. Data of patients with atypical ENL were collected and analyzed to describe the epidemiological, clinico-histological and therapeutic features. The major five clinically described presentations of atypical ENL include vesiculo-bullous lesions (46 % of patients), ulcero-necrotic lesions (41 %), erythema multiforme-like lesions (28 %), Sweet's syndrome-like lesions (11 %) and pustules (9 %). The skin lesions were accompanied by fever and constitutional symptoms in all patients. Oral steroids and thalidomide were the main lines of therapy in most of the reported patients. Dermatologists and pathologists should keep in mind the clinical variability of ENL to avoid misdiagnosis and delayed management. Early recognition can help control disease progression and save the patients from further complications.

Intralesional Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine Versus Intralesional Candida Antigen in the Treatment of Common and Plantar Warts.

BACKGROUND: Intralesional immunotherapy has been effectively used in the treatment of warts; however, comparative studies between different antigens are limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine compared with intralesional Candida antigen for the treatment of multiple common and plantar warts. METHODS: Sixty-eight adult patients with multiple common and plantar warts were randomly assigned into two groups, each containing 34 patients. The first group received intralesional MMR vaccine, while the second group received intralesional Candida antigen. Each treatment was injected into the largest wart at 2-week intervals until complete clearance or for a maximum of 5 sessions. RESULTS: The overall therapeutic response was higher in the Candida antigen group (73.5%) compared with the MMR group (67.7%); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Complete clearance of common warts was higher in the Candida antigen group, while that of plantar warts was higher in the MMR group. Adverse effects were transient and well tolerated in both groups. No recurrence was detected during the 6-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Intralesional MMR and intralesional Candida antigen showed comparable efficacy and safety in the treatment of common and plantar warts.

Intralesional Antigen Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Periungual Warts.

BACKGROUND: Intralesional immunotherapy using different types of antigens is considered an effective and safe treatment option for different types of warts. However, there are few studies that illustrate the use of these antigens in the treatment of periungual warts as a distinct type of warts. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of three antigens: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, Candida antigen, and purified protein derivative (PPD) in the treatment of periungual warts. METHODS: The study included 150 patients who were randomly assigned to 3 groups with 50 patients in each. Each agent was injected intralesionally at a dose of 0.1 mL into the largest wart at 2-week intervals until complete clearance or for a maximum of 5 sessions. RESULTS: Complete clearance of warts was observed in 70%, 80%, and 74% in PPD, Candida antigen, and MMR vaccine groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the therapeutic response between the 3 studied groups. Adverse effects were transient and insignificant in the 3 groups. No recurrence of the lesions was reported in any of the studied groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional antigen immunotherapy seems to be an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of periungual warts.