[Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome: Diagnosis and Treatment Options]. / Síndrome de Gorlin-Goltz: Diagnóstico e Hipóteses de Tratamento.

The Gorlin-Goltz syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary condition, with complete penetrance and variable expressivity. Characterized by the appearance of multiple basaliomas, and often the development of keratocyst, it can also express itself by the presence of palmar/plantar depressions, calcification of brain sickle, and skeletal birth defects, although less frequently. This article presents two cases involving direct relatives, referred after the identification of several basaliomas and jaw cysts. After establishing the diagnosis, given the identification of three major criteria, the treatment consisted in the excision of the lesions followed, in one case, with vismodegib treatment resulting in complete remission. Gorlin-Goltz syndrome is therefore a multidisciplinary challenge, whose variable morbidity and high risk of recurrence make treatment and surveillance critical. However, new molecular targeted therapies have brought a new hope in treating these patients.

A síndrome de Gorlin-Goltz é uma patologia hereditária, rara, autossómica dominante de penetrância completa, com expressividade variável. Caracterizada pelo aparecimento de múltiplos basaliomas, cursa, frequentemente, com o desenvolvimento de queratoquistos. Depressões palmares/plantares, calcificações da foice cerebral, anomalias esqueléticas congénitas, constituem, igualmente, critérios de diagnóstico, embora menos frequentes. Este artigo expõe dois casos clínicos, envolvendo familiares diretos, referenciados após identificação de vários basaliomas e quistos maxilares. Estabelecido o diagnóstico, perante a identificação de três critérios major, o tratamento consistiu na excisão das lesões, seguida, num dos casos, da terapêutica com vismodegib, com remissão completa. A síndrome de Gorlin-Goltz é, assim, um desafio multidisciplinar, cuja morbilidade variável e o elevado risco de recorrência tornam fundamental o tratamento e vigilância. Contudo, o aparecimento de novas terapêuticas moleculares dirigidas trazem uma nova esperança no tratamento destes doentes.

Mycobacterium chelonae Is an Ubiquitous Atypical Mycobacterium.

The type of cutaneous infection varies mainly according to the patient's immune status, and the disseminated form is mostly found in the context of immunosuppression. We report the case of a 62-year-old male who was under long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy and presented with a 7-month history of multiple painless cutaneous lesions at various stages of development: papules, nodules, pustules and hemorrhagic crusts, as well as small erosions and ulcers distributed over the limbs and scalp. Cutaneous biopsy showed a suppurative granulomatous infiltrate with abscess formation. Fite stain revealed numerous extracellular bacilli, suggesting mycobacterial infection, particularly by atypical mycobacteria. Culture of a skin sample revealed Mycobacterium chelonae. The patient started multidrug therapy and showed clinical improvement despite of resistance to one of the antibiotics. This striking presentation underlines the role of immunosuppression with corticotherapy as a major risk factor for these infections. Multidrug therapy is advised and antibiogram is essential in directing treatment.

From past sailors' eras to the present day: scurvy as a surprising manifestation of an uncommon gastrointestinal disease.

A 45-year-old man presented with follicular exanthema in his lower limbs, alternating bowel habits and significant weight loss. His medical history included seronegative arthritis, bipolar disease and an inconclusive diagnostic laparoscopy. Diagnostic work up revealed microcytic anaemia and multivitamin deficiency. Skin biopsy of the exanthema suggested scurvy. Owing to these signs of malabsorption, upper endoscopy with duodenal biopsies was performed, exhibiting villous atrophy and extensive periodic acid-Schiff-positive material in the lamina propria, therefore diagnosing Whipple's disease (WD). After starting treatment with ceftriaxone and co-trimoxazole, an impressive recovery was noted, as the wide spectrum of malabsorption signs quickly disappeared. After a year of antibiotics, articular and cutaneous manifestations improved, allowing the patient to stop taking corticosteroids and antidepressants. This truly unusual presentation reflects the multisystemic nature of WD, often leading to misdiagnosis of other entities. Scurvy is a rare finding in developed countries, but its presence should raise suspicion for small bowel disease.