Dactylitis and Ungual Tuberculosis: An Atypical Presentation of the Disease.

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a common infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in developing countries. Among the extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis, cutaneous tuberculosis is rare, and even dermatologists are less familiar with its ungual manifestations. Case Presentation: We present an exuberant case of ungual tuberculosis in a patient with no personal or family history of immunosuppression, which is the first manifestation of the disseminated form of the disease. Conclusion: In our patient, the initial manifestation was related to the nail, probably originating from the progression of bone TB focus, which further progressed with respiratory symptoms and involvement of other organs. We believe this is the first case in which the ungual presentation allowed the diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis.

Laser-assisted MAL-PDT associated with acoustic pressure wave ultrasound with short incubation time for field cancerization treatment: A left-right comparison.

BACKGROUND: Laser-assisted MAL-PDT has been reported to increase the effectiveness of conventional PDT. Nonetheless, clinical effects of this association when reducing MAL incubation time is poorly discussed. Furthermore, the association of acoustic pressure wave ultrasound with laser-assisted MAL-PDT with short incubation time for field cancerization had not been reported before. OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical effects of ablative fractional laser-assisted MAL-PDT associated with acoustic pressure wave ultrasound (IMPACT US) with 1-hour incubation time and conventional MAL-PDT for skin field cancerization on the forearms, as well as the impact on safety and tolerability. METHODS: Fifteen patients with 638 AK (grade I-III) with field cancerized-skin on the forearms were enrolled in this left-right trial. Two protocols were randomly chosen. One side was treated with conventional MAL-PDT, whereas the other with laser-assisted MAL-PDT associated with acoustic pressure wave ultrasound with 1-hour incubation time. Actinic keratoses were quantitively measured, and the other signs of sun-damaged skin, like pigmentation and texture, in field cancerized skin were qualitatively evaluated before and after six months. Side effects were assessed subjectively during the procedure and one week after. RESULTS: All patients completed the study. At six months after treatment, both protocols reduced the number of AK (72%; CO2 + PDT, and 65%; MAL-PDT). The difference between these two protocols was not statistically significant (p = 0.77). The improvement of pigmentation and texture of field cancerized skin was more significant on the side treated with laser-assisted MAL-PDT associated with acoustic pressure wave ultrasound. Both protocols were well tolerated and without significant difference in adverse events. CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted MAL-PDT using CO2 laser and acoustic pressure wave ultrasound with short incubation time of 1 h was as effective as conventional MAL-PDT for field-cancerized skin with actinic keratosis in forearms with better cosmetic outcome.

Transepidermal drug delivery: a new treatment option for areata alopecia?

BACKGROUND: Transepidermal drug delivery (TED) is a new potential method in dermatology. Permeability alterations induced by ablative fractional resurfacing have been described with the aim to increasing the delivery of different substances into the skin. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical response and side effects of TED in areata alopecia (AA) treatment using ablative fractional methods associated with acoustic pressure ultrasound (US) to deliver triamcinolone solution into the skin. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Five cases of AA underwent treatment which comprised of 3 steps: 1) Ablative fractioned RF or CO2 laser 2) topical application of triamcinolone 3) acoustic pressure wave US. The number of sessions varied according to the clinical response, ranging from one to six sessions. RESULTS: All patients had complete recovery of the area treated. Two of them treated with ablative fractional RF + triamcinolone + US had complete response after three and six sessions. The other two treated with ablative fractional CO2 + triamcinolone + US had complete response after one session. CONCLUSION: Fractioned ablative resurfacing associated with acoustic pressure wave US is a new option to areata alopecia treatment with good clinical result and low incidence of side effects.

Topical delivery of triamcinolone via skin pretreated with ablative radiofrequency: a new method in hypertrophic scar treatment.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal permeability alterations induced by ablative fractional resurfacing and low-frequency ultrasound technology may offer drug delivery for the treatment of hypertrophic scars through transepidermal drug delivery (TED). This technology can improve treatment efficacy and minimize side effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical response and side effects of TED technology in hypertrophic scars in the body and on the face using ablative fractional radiofrequency (RF) associated with low-frequency acoustic pressure ultrasound (US). METHODS: Four patients with hypertrophic scars were treated with triamcinolone using fractional ablative RF and US. The treatment procedure comprised three steps: (i) ablative fractional RF for skin perforation; (ii) topical application of triamcinolone acetonide 20 mg/ml on the perforated skin; and (iii) acoustic pressure wave US applied to enhance triamcinolone penetration into the skin. RESULTS: Complete resolution was seen after one session in patients with scars on the nose and mandibular area. The scar on the neck showed complete resolution after four sessions. The scar on the knee showed a marked improvement after four sessions. Mild and homogeneous atrophy was observed in hypertrophic scars on the neck. CONCLUSION: Ablative fractional RF associated with acoustic pressure US is a new technology aiming to increase drug delivery into skin. This new method can improve the efficacy of steroids in hypertrophic scar treatment, minimizing the risks of localized atrophy and irregular appearance of the treated lesion.

Lipomatose simétrica benigna: doença de Madelung: relato de caso / Benign symmetric lipomatosis: Madelung's disease: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A lipomatose simétrica benigna (LSB) foi descrita inicialmente por Madelung em 1888 e possui patogênese ainda desconhecida. É caracterizada por múltiplos depósitos de gordura indolor não encapsulado com disposição simétrica, localizados preferencialmente na região cervical e tronco superior, podendo causar sintomas compressivos e aparência pseudoatlética. O tratamento cirúrgico é o mais efetivo, por ressecção ou por lipossucção. O objetivo deste relato foi apresentar a importância do caso descrito, devido à sua exuberância clínica, apesar de assintomática e sem alterações significativas laboratoriais.RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 77 anos, agricultor, natural de Pernambuco. Relatou que há oito meses apresentava crescimento progressivo de massa indolor na região cervical, occipital e superior do tórax, negando outros sintomas que pudessem acompanhar o crescimento e sem história familiar. Hipertenso, etilista e tabagista. Ao exame constatou-se massa volumosa simétrica cervical fibroelástica, na região cervical, não aderida a planos profundos e sem sinais flogísticos.CONCLUSÃO: A LSB foi classificada por Enzi e col. em dois tipos, o paciente em questão foi classificado como tipo I, lipoma predominantemente cervical. A ingesta de álcool consumida pelo paciente tem forte associação com a etiologia da doença de acordo com Enzi e col. Foi realizada lipectomia, com abordagem em dois tempos cirúrgicos devido a invasão de estruturas nobres. O paciente evoluiu bem clinicamente, sem complicações, com bom resultado estético. O presente caso apresentava uma exuberância clínica não condizente com os parâmetros laboratoriais e sintomatologia descrita na literatura.(AU)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Benign symmetric lipomatosis (BSL) was first described by Madelung in 1888 and still has unknown pathogenesis. It is characterized by multiple unencapsulated painless fat deposits with symmetrical disposition, preferably located in the cervical region and upper trunk and may cause compressive symptoms and pseudoathletic appearance. Surgical treatment is most effective, and it could be done by resection or liposuction. The objective of this study was to present the importance to describe the case due to your clinical exuberance without symptoms or significant changes in laboratory tests.CASE REPORT: Male patient, 77 years old, farmer, born in Pernambuco. Reported that 8 months ago began progressive growth of a painless mass in the cervical region, occipital region and upper chest, with no family history. He has high blood pressure, alcoholic and smoker. On examination, it could be noticed a large fibroelastic symmetric mass, asymptomatic, in the cervical region, not adhered to deep planes and with no signs of inflammation.CONCLUSION: The benign symmetric lipomatosis was rated by Enzi et al. in two types, the patient in this case was classified as type I, predominantly cervical lymphoma. The intake of alcohol consumed by the patient is strongly associated with the etiology of this disease, according to Enzi et al. The patient underwent a lipectomy with a two steps approach due to surgical invasion of vital structures. The patient was stable clinically, without complications, with good aesthetic results. The clinical case described had an exuberance of clinical manifestations, not consistent with laboratory parameters and symptoms described in the literature.(AU)