A comparison of photodynamic therapy using topical methyl aminolevulinate (Metvix) with single cycle cryotherapy in patients with actinic keratosis: a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a very common condition, which has the potential of progressing to squamous cell carcinoma. The present study is a prospective, randomized study comparing the lesion response, cosmetic outcome, patient satisfaction and tolerability of a new treatment modality, photodynamic therapy (PDT), using topical methyl aminolevulinate (Metvix), with the most commonly used standard therapy for AK, cryotherapy. METHODS: A total of 204 patients with clinically diagnosed AK were randomized to either cryotherapy or PDT. The PDT patients were further assigned to an active or placebo group in a random, double-blind manner. Cryotherapy was performed using liquid nitrogen spray in a single freeze-thaw cycle. PDT was performed using 160 mg/g methyl aminolevulinate cream or placebo, a 3-hour application time, red light (570-670 nm) and a total light dose of 75 J/cm(2). PDT was repeated after 7 days. Two sessions of PDT were undertaken, as a previous study had shown a single session had similar efficacy to cryotherapy. Lesion response was assessed clinically after 3 months (complete response or non-complete response). RESULTS: The lesion response rate was 91% in the methyl aminolevulinate PDT group, 68% in the cryotherapy group and 30% in the placebo PDT group. Methyl aminolevulinate PDT was statistically significantly better than both cryotherapy and placebo PDT in terms of response rates and cosmetic outcome. Most patients preferred PDT to other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: PDT with methyl aminolevulinate is an excellent treatment option, particularly for patients with widespread damage or AK lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas.

Bullous lesions in Bazex syndrome and successful treatment with oral psoralen phototherapy.

A 59-year-old man presented with a psoriasiform dermatitis with associated bullae and destructive nail dystrophy of the hands and feet. He had lost 10 kg weight over 6 months and a mass in the neck was noted. He was provisionally diagnosed with Bazex syndrome (acrokeratosis paraneoplastica) and subsequent investigations revealed a squamous cell carcinoma in the right piriform fossa. His skin lesions were treated with oral psoralen and ultraviolet A phototherapy and this cleared the cutaneous changes, but the nail changes have persisted at 18 months follow up.

Unilateral pigmented purpuric eruption.

Three cases of unilateral pigmented purpuric eruption (UPPE) occurring in children aged between 7 and 12 years are reported. The lesions were asymptomatic and occurred on the lower limb and torso; one case demonstrated a quadrantic configuration with a sharp midline cutoff. The purpuric component resolved spontaneously within 3 months in all cases, while pigmentation showed partial resolution in the two cases followed up for 12 months. Our cases support previous reports of UPPE being a benign self-limiting condition mainly affecting young patients. The cause is unknown.

Photodynamic therapy of actinic keratosis with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid. A pilot dose-ranging study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy using topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and red light to treat actinic keratoses (AKs). DESIGN: Actinic keratoses were treated with topical ALA (concentrations of 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30%) under occlusion for 3 hours. Before photodynamic therapy, sites were examined for fluorescence. Sites were irradiated with an argon pumped dye laser (630 nm) at fluences of 10 to 150 J/cm2. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: Forty patients with 6 clinically typical, previously untreated AKs per patient. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Complete resolution and decrease in lesion area of the AK relative to baseline evaluated at weeks 1, 4, 8, and 16. RESULTS: Three hours after ALA administration, lesions showed moderate red fluorescence. Cutaneous phototoxic effects, localized erythema and edema, peaked at 72 hours. Patients experienced mild burning and stinging during light exposure. Eight weeks after a single treatment using 30% ALA, there was total clearing of 91% of lesions on the face and scalp and 45% of lesions, on the trunk and extremities. No significant differences were observed in clinical responses with treatment using 10%, 20%, or 30% ALA. All concentrations of ALA were more effective than treating AKs with vehicle and light. CONCLUSIONS: Topical photodynamic therapy with ALA is an effective treatment of typical AKs. Complete clearing of nonhypertrophic AKs can be achieved with 10%, 20%, or 30% ALA that is easily tolerated by the patient. Lesions on the face and scalp are more effectively treated than lesions on the trunk and extremities. Hypertrophic AKs did not respond effectively.

Photodynamic therapy for psoriasis?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), the activation of a photosensitive compound by high intensity red light, is useful for Bowens' disease, thin basal carcinomata and as an adjunctive therapy for various internal malignancies. Its use in the treatment of psoriasis has been attempted only quite recently and some modest success achieved. These clinical experiences are reviewed and the rationale for using PDT for psoriasis is discussed.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. Non-parenterally acquired hepatitis B with a distinctive exanthem.

A case of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is reported. This condition is an uncommon form of non-parenterally acquired hepatitis B of children. The distinctive eruption of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome may be the only symptom or sign of associated-hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis may develop in some patients.

In-situ T lymphocyte identification in cutaneous tissue sections of benign and malignant dermatoses.

An indirect immunoperoxidase technique employing a specific anti-human T lymphocyte antiserum has been used to identify T lymphocytes in cutaneous tissue sections of various benign and malignant dermatoses. Skin biopsies from patients with histologically confirmed lichen planus, discoid lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, keratoacanthoma, malignant melanoma, inflamed serborrhoeic warts, sarcoidosis, follicular lymphoma and multicentric reticulohistiocytosis were examined. T lymphocytes were found to be the predominant cell type in the cutaneous infiltrates of the majority of these dermatoses. However, only few T lymphocytes were identified in sarcoidosis where they tended to be restricted to the periphery of the epithelioid cell granulomas. Similarly, in the cutaneous infiltrates of follicular lymphoma and in a patient with multicentric reticulohistiocytosis, few T lymphocytes were identified.