Molluscum contagiosum on a tattoo: usefulness of dermoscopy

[No abstract available

Efficacy of Ingenol Mebutate in the Treatment of Actinic Keratoses: A Pre- and Posttreatment Dermoscopic Comparative Analysis

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin lesion in adults which usually occurs on chronically photoexposed areas and considered as a precancerous lesion or a superficial squamous-cell carcinoma. Many classifications have been proposed and its diagnosis is generally clinical but, sometimes, its wide variety of presentations can make diagnosis difficult, even among expert observers. The malignant potential of AKs imposes an early diagnosis and treatment in order to reduce morbidity and mortality, and, for the characterization of photodamaged skin, noninvasive diagnostic techniques, such as dermoscopy, have proved to be useful, while multiple therapeutic strategies, lesion-directed versus field-directed therapies, are available for the treatment of AKs. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of ingenol mebutate for the treatment of AKs, with a particular focus on patients’ compliance, correlating it to clinical and dermoscopic grading, pre- and posttreatment, of these lesions. Fifty-two enrolled patients with AKs received treatment with ingenol mebutate gel (0.015% for face and scalp; 0.05% for trunk and extremities) and multiple dermatological evaluations. End points of the study were complete and partial clearance of clinically visible AKs on day 90. All acquired data were recorded and statistical analyses were performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify possible predictive factors. We retrospectively analyzed patient-related and lesion-related factors to identify which variables, among age, gender, lesion site, pain, LSR score, and pretreatment clinical and dermoscopic grading, could independently predict the response to ingenol mebutate treatment. Our findings showed that pretreatment dermoscopic grade II represents an independent predictive factor of the efficacy of ingenol mebutate therapy (OR=14.78, 95% CI: 1.83–119.59, P=0.012) and that response rates differ on the basis of the treated anatomical sites (OR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.03–0.85, P=0.031). Data from this study provide evidence that ingenol mebutate gel is an effective treatment for AK, with relative ease of use, short exposure, and rapid resolution of local reactions, benefits contributing to high adherence of this therapy. Moreover, dermoscopic analysis of skin lesions offers more information than clinical evaluation alone and can be helpful in identifying different groups of AKs, thus selecting the adequate therapeutic choice

Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid-induced linear immunoglobulin A bullous dermatosis: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Linear immunoglobulin A bullous dermatosis (LABD) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease, rarely induced by drugs. METHODS: We describe a case of a 47-year-old man who developed a severe blistering eruption after therapy with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination and direct immunofluorescence were consistent with a diagnosis of LABD. Therapy with dapsone controlled the disease but, after sun exposure, there was a worsening of the illness. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid-induced LABD in an adult

Dermopatie in pazienti in trattamento con Imatinib mesilato

L’Imatinib mesilato è un inibitore delle tirosin chinasi, utilizzato nel trattamento della leucemia mieloide cronica, dei tumori stromali gastrointestinali e del dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. È un farmaco ben tollerato, ma in circa il 10% dei pazienti trattati è responsabile di effetti tossici. La tossicità cutanea è percentualmente rilevante e le reazioni maggiormente osservate sono rappresentate da: edema, rash cutaneo, fotosensibilità, alterazioni della pigmentazione. Inoltre la somministrazione di Imitanib mesilato è stata associata alla comparsa di psoriasi e carcinomi cutanei

Complete remission of nodular basal cell carcinoma after combined treatment with photodynamic therapy and imiquimod 5% cream

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human cancer. We present a case of nodular basal cell carcinoma treated with a combination of photodynamic therapy and topical imiquimod. Clinical clearing was obtained and there has been no sign of recurrence over 15 months. © 2008 Dermatology Online Journal

Reazione acneiforme indotta da Cetuximab

L’Epidermal growth factor (EGF) ha un importante ruolo nella regolazione della proliferazione, differenziazione, sopravvivenza e angiogenesi dei cheratoniciti dell’ epidermide delle cellule tumorali. Il Cetuximab è un anticorpo monoclonale selettivo del recettore dell’Epidermal growth factor in grado di modificare la risposta cellulare in termini di sensibilità alla radioterapia e agli agenti chemioterapici. Tuttavia questo farmaco causa reazioni avverse, quali reazioni acneiformi, astenia, dolore addominale e nausea/vomito, ma la tossicità cutanea è predominante. Riportiamo di seguito il caso di un paziente di 72 anni affetto da neoplasia del colon metastatizzata al fegato, giunto alla nostra attenzione per una severa eruzione acneifome indotta da Cetuximab