Familial eruptive dermatofibromas in atopic dermatitis.

Multiple eruptive dermatofibromas (MEDF) are rare and their aetiology is unknown. More than half of the patients with MEDF have underlying diseases, and more than 80% of the underlying diseases are immune mediated. Familial cases suggesting a genetic cause have also been reported. We report a case of familial eruptive dermatofibromas associated with atopic dermatitis, possibly caused by both hereditary factors and compromised immunity.

Disease-specific quality of life is associated with anxiety and depression in patients with acne.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the relationships between acne severity, anxiety, depression and disease-specific quality of life in patients with acne. METHOD: A total of 61 patients with acne vulgaris and 38 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Acne severity was assessed by the Global Acne Grading System. All patients were asked to complete the Acne Quality of Life Scale (AQOL), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), and healthy controls to fill only the HAD. RESULTS: The mean HAD anxiety subscale (HAD-A) and HAD depression subscale (HAD-D) scores of the patients were significantly higher than those of the controls. The rates of subjects at risk for anxiety (26.2%) and for depression (29.5%) were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (0% and 7.9%, respectively). We found no correlations between acne severity and scores of AQOL, DLQI, HAD-A and HAD-D. AQOL and DLQI scores were positively correlated with HAD-A and HAD-D scores in the patient group. The patients at risk for anxiety had significantly higher scores on AQOL and DLQI compared to those who were not at risk. There were no statistically significant differences between the female and male patients with respect to AQOL, DLQI, HAD-A and HAD-D scores. CONCLUSION: (1) Irrespective of the degree of severity, patients with acne are at increased risk for anxiety and depression compared to the normal population. (2) Acne negatively affects quality of life, and the greater the impairment of quality of life due to acne, the greater the level of anxiety and depression. (3) A greater impairment of dermatologic quality of life seems to put the patient at an increased risk for anxiety disorder.

Efficacy of three short-term regimens of itraconazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.

BACKGROUND: Itraconazole is an oral antifungal agent, which has been proved to be effective in pityriasis versicolor. Different regimens for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor have been studied and good results were obtained with short-term treatment regimens. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the classical regimen of 200 mg/day itraconazole for 5 days with the regimens of 400 mg/day for 1 and 3 days. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with pityriasis versicolor were recruited into a randomized study. The patients were divided into three groups, each composed of 20 people. Mycological and clinical assessments were done before and on the 7th and 28th days after the treatment. Results were evaluated with the chi-squared test. RESULTS: The regimen of 400 mg/day itraconazole for 3 days was found to be as effective as the classical regimen of 200 mg/day for 5 days in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. The regimen of 400 mg/day itraconazole for 1 day was found to be ineffective. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that a short course of itraconazole, 400 mg/day for 3 days, appears to be an effective and alternative treatment for pityriasis versicolor.

A case of ochronosis: upper extremity involvement.

We present an ochronotic patient with spondylosis and upper extremity involvement. We also evaluated radiologic findings of joints that were involved and MRI features of the lumbar spine.

A simple surgical technique for the treatment of steatocystoma multiplex.

BACKGROUND: Since steatocystoma multiplex is an uncommon disorder, its treatment has not been discussed in detail in the textbooks and surgical excision is the most commonly mentioned method. In this article, we describe a very simple surgical technique, which was developed by modifying previous reports. METHODS: A 29-year-old woman, diagnosed clinically and histologically as steatocystoma multiplex, was treated with this modified technique. We punctured the cysts under local anesthesia with a sharp-tipped cautery point and evacuated the contents by squeezing the cyst with a fine forceps. Then, the cyst wall was grasped by the forceps and the sacs were extracted through small holes. More than 50 cysts were treated. RESULTS: The treatment was well tolerated by the patient. No complications developed during or after the procedure. After 14 months follow up no recurrences were observed and the results were cosmetically excellent. CONCLUSIONS: This modified technique is very simple and time saving. Its cosmetic and long-term results are successful. We believe that it must be considered as the treatment of choice for steatocystoma multiplex.