Stromal α-Smooth Muscle Actin Positivity Is Associated With High-Risk Basal Cell Carcinomas.

ABSTRACT: The presence of myofibroblast differentiation has been proposed as an invading mechanism in basal cell carcinomas. However, small studies regarding α-smooth muscle actin positivity have led to conflicting results. This review of 100 cases examines the association between α-smooth muscle actin positivity on immunohistochemical studies and the clinical and histopathological characteristics of the tumor, including tumor size, thickness, subtype, topography, ulceration, 5-year recurrence rate, and age at diagnosis.

Dermoscopic Aspects of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the dermoscopic evaluation of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the dermoscopic patterns of CADRs and identify those associated with severe cutaneous adverse reactions to drugs (SCARDs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients included in this study from May 2015 to April 2016 had presented with CADRs. CADR presentation and classification were based on standard criteria. SCARDs included Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), overlap SJS/TEN, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). The dermoscopic features of CADRs were described and compared according to the severity of the reactions. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were included. Sixteen patients (23.2%) presented SCARDs. The main dermoscopic findings in SJS, overlap SJS/TEN and TEN were black dots or necrotic areas (100%). Erosion [respectively, 4/6 (66.7%), 3/3 (100%) and 1/1 (100%)], necrotic borders [respectively, 4/6 (66.7%), 3/3 (100%) and 1/1, (100%)] and epidermal detachment [respectively, 5/6 (83.3%); 2/3 (66.7%) and 1/1 (100%)] were also common among these reactions. Erythema and purpuric dots were the main dermoscopic findings [respectively, 5/6 (83.3%) and 4/6 (66.7%)] in DRESS. In non-severe reactions, the most prevalent structures were erythema and purpura in exanthema [respectively, 31/33 (93.9%) and 24/33 (72.7%)] and erythema and vascular structures in urticarial reactions [respectively, 6/6 (100%) and 3/6 (50%)]. Black dots or necrotic areas, epidermal detachment, necrotic borders and erosion were highly associated with SCARDs (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy improves clinical recognition of SCARDs.

Tumor in the plantar region: dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in an infrequent topography

Abstract Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare mesenchymal tumor; it is locally aggressive and presents high rates of local recurrence. It may present as a nodular or plaque vegetating lesion. It mainly affects the trunk and proximal limbs, being rare in the distal extremities. Biopsy and immunohistochemistry help confirm the diagnosis. The authors report a case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with plantar region involvement, a rare presentation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, only 11 cases of involvement of the feet were described in the international literature.

Tumor in the plantar region: dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in an infrequent topography.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare mesenchymal tumor; it is locally aggressive and presents high rates of local recurrence. It may present as a nodular or plaque vegetating lesion. It mainly affects the trunk and proximal limbs, being rare in the distal extremities. Biopsy and immunohistochemistry help confirm the diagnosis. The authors report a case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with plantar region involvement, a rare presentation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, only 11 cases of involvement of the feet were described in the international literature.

Signet ring cells in carcinomatous lymphangitis due to gastric adenocarcinoma.

Cutaneous metastases are rare. They usually present as nodules or tumors. Diagnosis is based on histopathological examination and prognosis is unfavorable. This report describes the case of a female patient, 72 years old, with surgically treated gastric antrum adenocarcinoma. Pathology showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells. It evolved with bone involvement, lymph node enlargement in the inguinal region, and skin infiltration in the lower limbs, abdomen, and root of the upper limbs. Skin biopsy demonstrated signet ring carcinoma embolizing the dermal and hypodermic vessels and invasion of adipose tissue, confirming carcinomatous lymphangitis. Carcinomatous lymphangitis is the cutaneous and subcutaneous lymphatic invasion by tumor cells. Cutaneous metastasis is relatively uncommon and presents mainly as cutaneous or subcutaneous nodules, and more rarely as inflammatory lesions. The present case reports carcinomatous lymphangitis associated with gastric cancer.

Eruptive Xanthomas: A Dermatologic Clue to the Diagnosis of an Underlying Metabolic Disorder.

A 32-year-old man presented to the dermatology department with generalized asymptomatic yellowish papules on an erythematous base, arms, thighs, and buttocks. These lesions had appeared in the previous month (Figure 1). Dermoscopy revealed a homogeneous yellow color, corresponding to dermal xanthomatous deposits, with interconnected fine and dotted vessels (Figure 2). The laboratory findings showed extremely high levels of triglycerides (4.842 mg/dL; normal <150), as well as increased total cholesterol (576 mg/dL; normal <200), fasting blood glucose (294 mg/dL), and glycated hemoglobin 12.3% (normal range 4% to 6%). A skin biopsy demonstrated foamy cells, with extracellular lipid between collagen bundles in the dermis (Figure 3).

Facial crusted scabies on renal transplant patient / Sarna costrosa facial en paciente con trasplante renal

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Tropomyosin-Related Kinase Receptor and Neurotrophin Expression in Cutaneous Melanoma Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis and Decreased Survival.

OBJECTIVE: Normally, activation of tropomyosin-related kinase (TRK) receptors by neurotrophins (NTs) stimulates intracellular pathways involved in cell survival and proliferation. Dysregulation of NT/TRK signaling may affect neoplasm prognosis. Data on NT and TRK expression in melanomas are limited, and it is unclear whether NT/TRK signaling pathways are involved in the origin and progression of this neoplasm. METHODS: We examined whether NT/TRK expression differs across different cutaneous melanoma grades and subtypes, and whether it is associated with melanoma prognosis and survival. A cross-sectional study was performed in which the expression of TrkA, TrkB, nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry of 154 melanoma samples. We investigated NT/TRK expression associations with prognostic factors for melanoma, relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of the 154 melanoma samples, 77 (55.4%) were TrkA immunopositive, 81 (58.3%) were TrkB immunopositive, 113 (81.3%) were BDNF immunopositive, and 104 (75.4%) were NGF immunopositive. We found NT/TRK expression associated strongly with several clinical prognostic factors, including the tumor-node-metastasis stage (p < 0.001), histological subtype (p < 0.001), and Clark level (p < 0.05), as well as with a worse OS (p < 0.05 for all, except TrkB) and RFS (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show strong associations of NT/TRK expression with melanoma stage progression and a poor prognosis.

Dermoscopy of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: What Do We Know?

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor of intermediate malignancy. Its rarity and slow progression often imply a delayed diagnosis. There are few previous reports of dermoscopic features of DFSP and most are single case descriptions. OBJECTIVES: To report 2 cases of DFSP and their dermoscopic features, as well as conduct a review of all previous cases published addressing the use of dermoscopy in this tumor. METHODS: We conducted a literature search for all dermoscopic cases of DFSP. In addition, we presented 2 additional cases and compared them to the earlier findings. RESULTS: We summarized the main dermoscopic findings of DFSP based on analysis from 32 patients. The most common features of this tumor are the presence of vessels (81%), followed by a pigmented network (78%) and a pinkish background (66%). CONCLUSIONS: DFSP can mimic benign lesions and the diagnosis may be challenging. Dermoscopy is an important tool that may enhance clinical suspicion toward the diagnosis of DFSP.

Lentigo maligno palpebral: o manejo com a interface Dermatologia-Oculoplástica: a propósito de um caso / Lentigo maligna of the eyelid: management with Dermatology-Oculoplastic interface: for the purpose of a case

Apresentou-se à consulta um paciente masculino de 74 anos, portador de uma mancha hiperpigmentada junto à borda palpebral inferior esquerda, com cores variadas, entre diferentes matizes de marrom; a biópsia confirmou o diagnóstico de lentigo maligno. A sua localização na borda palpebral é rara. Há alguma divergência na literatura quanto ao melhor método para seu tratamento. Opções terapêuticas não cirúrgicas, como o imiquimode, têm sido apresentadas bem como diferentes variantes no manejo cirúrgico e nas margens requeridas. No caso descrito, optou-se por manejo com margens conservadoras, preservando-se a funcionalidade da área.

74-year-old male patient came to medical consultation presenting a hyperpigmented stain near the lower left eyelid edge, with varying colors, between different shades of brown; the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lentigo maligna. Its location on the eyelid edge is rare. There is some divergence in the literature regarding the best method for its treatment. Non-surgical therapeutic options, such as imiquimod, have been suggested, as well as different variants in surgical management and required margins. In the case described, it was chosen to manage with conservative margins, preserving, the functionality of the area.

Clinical and dermoscopic (in vivo and ex vivo) predictors of recurrent nevi.

Recurrent nevi occur following removal of melanocytic nevi mainly after shaving excision. Due to its differential diagnosis with melanoma, its recognition can be challenging. To evaluate clinical and dermoscopic predictors of recurrent nevi. Clinical data on 224 melanocytic nevi were collected, together with dermoscopic images. Shave biopsy was performed and the underside of the surgical specimen was examined using ex vivo dermoscopy. A total of 195 lesions were followed for six months. Recurrent nevi were observed in 59 lesions. The occurrence of recurrent nevi was inversely associated with increased patient age. Darker skin phototypes and the compound nevus type were more associated with recurrence. Regarding dermoscopic features, the presence of dark brown colour, multiple colours, dots, terminal hair, and an annular-distributed pigmentation around adnexal structures were associated with recurrent nevi. Ex vivo dermoscopy showed that visible hyperpigmentation on the underside of the surgical specimen was correlated with recurrence. Multivariable analysis showed that annular hyperpigmentation and age were the most relevant predictors of recurrence. Individuals with dark skin type and young adults are at increased risk of recurrent nevi. Dermoscopy of the primary lesion and the underside of the surgical specimen are helpful in predicting recurrence after shave biopsy.

Density of mast cells and intensity of pruritus in psoriasis vulgaris: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic and prevalent disease, and the associated pruritus is a common, difficult-to-control symptom. The mediators involved in psoriatic pruritus have not been fully established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between the number of mast cells in psoriatic lesions and the intensity of pruritus. METHODS: 29 patients with plaque psoriasis were recruited. In all participants, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Body Surface Area were assessed. A questionnaire was administered to obtain clinical information and the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Pruritus was assessed using a visual analog scale and skin biopsies were performed for staining with Giemsa and Immunohistochemistry with C-Kit. RESULTS: Pruritus was observed in 91.3% of our patients. Median VAS was 6 (p25-75: 2-8). The immunohistochemical method revealed a mean of 11.32 mast cells/field and Giemsa staining revealed a mean of 6.72 mast cells/field. There was no correlation between the intensity of pruritus and mast cell count, neither in Immunohistochemistry (p = 0.15; rho = -0.27) nor in Giemsa (p = 0.16; rho = -0.27). Pruritus did not impact on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (p = 0.51; rho = -0.13). STUDY LIMITATIONS: The small sample size may be considered the main limitation of our study. CONCLUSIONS: Although mast cells are mediators of pruritus in many cutaneous diseases, our findings support that psoriatic pruritus is a complex disorder with multifactorial, complex pathophysiology, involving pruritogenic mediators others than mast cells.

Density of mast cells and intensity of pruritus in psoriasis vulgaris: a cross sectional study

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic and prevalent disease, and the associated pruritus is a common, difficult-to-control symptom. The mediators involved in psoriatic pruritus have not been fully established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between the number of mast cells in psoriatic lesions and the intensity of pruritus. METHODS: 29 patients with plaque psoriasis were recruited. In all participants, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Body Surface Area were assessed. A questionnaire was administered to obtain clinical information and the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Pruritus was assessed using a visual analog scale and skin biopsies were performed for staining with Giemsa and Immunohistochemistry with C-Kit. RESULTS: Pruritus was observed in 91.3% of our patients. Median VAS was 6 (p25-75: 2-8). The immunohistochemical method revealed a mean of 11.32 mast cells/field and Giemsa staining revealed a mean of 6.72 mast cells/field. There was no correlation between the intensity of pruritus and mast cell count, neither in Immunohistochemistry (p = 0.15; rho = -0.27) nor in Giemsa (p = 0.16; rho = -0.27). Pruritus did not impact on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (p = 0.51; rho = -0.13). STUDY LIMITATIONS: The small sample size may be considered the main limitation of our study. CONCLUSIONS: Although mast cells are mediators of pruritus in many cutaneous diseases, our findings support that psoriatic pruritus is a complex disorder with multifactorial, complex pathophysiology, involving pruritogenic mediators others than mast cells.