Epiluminescence microscopy for port-wine staine pretreatment evaluation.

Background: Port-wine stains (PWSs) are characterized by an increased number of ectatic vessels. The treatment of choice is the use of some lasers such as pulsed dye lasers. However, some lesions are nonresponsive to laser treatment. Perhaps the vessels' depth and diameter and the thickness of the vessel wall are important factors influencing the effectiveness of the laser treatment. Methods: To investigate whether epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) could be useful in determining the effectiveness of laser treatment of PWSs, we studied a group of patients with PWSs using both ELM and histological analysis. Results: A correlation existed between a gray-whitish veil seen by ELM and the vessel depth judged by histology: when the veil was absent, the vessels were always found to be located only in the upper third of the dermis. Conclusion: We think that the gray-whitish veil is a distinctive dermoscopic feature that is able to differentiate between superficial vessels (absence of veil) and deeper vessels (presence of veil)

A simple cryo-technique for the treatment of cutaneus soft fibromas

OBJECTIVE: We propose a simple cryo-technique for the treatment of cutaneous soft fibromas. METHODS: This method, useful for fibromas larger than 4-5 mm in diameter, allows the freezing of the only soft fibroma without affecting the surrounding skin. RESULTS: The technique shows the following advantages: it is simple to perform, it avoids local anesthesia, and it can be used in pacemaker holders. CONCLUSION: The cosmetic results are very good

Effetto della luce visibile (VIS) sulle cellule di Langerhans: tempi di ripopolazione epidermica dopo completa deplezione indotta dal VIS.

Background. It has already been demonstrated that UV light is able to induce antigenic changes in Langherans cells (LC) and the skin LC depletion after single or serial exposures. In a previous study we have shown in human volunteers that visible light (VIS) cause a 70% depletion of human epidermal LC defined by monoclonal antobody (LEU 6) after a VIS dose corresponding to a solar exposure of 2 hours during the summer at our latitude. Besides, we have shown in mice that VIS causes a membrane markers depletion at does of 100 J/cm2 and a complete depletion at a dose of 700 J/cm2. The electron microscopic analysis showed a destruction of these cells. Material and methods. In this study, the time course of the epidermis recolonization after a VIS irradiation of 700 J/cm2 inducing the complete depletion of the epidermis LC, has been analyzed. Balb/c mice were exposed after depilation to the VIS irradiation and the biopsy punch were done each day for 8 days. Results and conclusions. Results show that epidermis LC become to be detectable 48 hours after VIS irradiation and a complete recolonization occurs after 7 days

Thirty hours evaluation of UVB induced erythema by chromometry and microflowmetry

BACKGROUND: Individual UVB photosensitivity is usually investigated by determining the minimal erythemal dose (MED). Nevertheless, factors such as room light intensity and subjective experience of the observer can influence the erythema perception and, therefore, the MED assessment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the clinical and the chromometric and microflowmetric analyses of the UVB-induced erythema in 2 healthy volunteers. METHODS: A bank of 6 fluorescent mercury vapor tubes (Philips TL 12/20 W) was utilized as a source of UVB light. Three skin areas (4 cm2), from the dorsal region of each subject, were irradiated with 3 different UVB doses corresponding to: (1) MED; (2) 0.7 MED, and (3) 1.3 MED. RESULTS: (1) both microflowmetric and chromometric parameters reached a maximum peak 10-12 h after irradiation and maintained high values also 30 h after irradiation; (2) both microflowmetric and chromometric values were directly related to the UVB doses; (3) in some cases the microflowmetric values started to increase when the chromatic changes were still undetectable. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data confirm that the visual determination of MED performed 24 h after irradiation is a correct procedure. Nevertheless, the microflowmetric may precede the chromatic changes suggesting that vasodilatation follows irradiation without a latent period

The acute effect of smoking on cutaneous microcirculation blood flow in habitual smokers and non smokers

BACKGROUND: Smoking is known to be a primary cause of chronic harmful effects on the vascular system. It also induces some acute effects on the coronary circulation and on the ophthalmic artery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the effect of smoking a single cigarette on cutaneous blood flow in habitual smokers as well as in nonsmokers. METHODS: A laser Doppler flowmeter was used to perform measurements of cutaneous microcirculation. Flowmetric data were recorded (i) before smoking, (ii) inhaling from an unlighted cigarette, (iii) during cigarette smoking, (iv) 2 and (v) 5 min after smoking. RESULTS: We could show that smoking a single cigarette acts on the cutaneous microcirculation reducing blood flow in both groups of subjects (38.1% reduction in smokers and 28.1% reduction in nonsmokers; p <0.01). Interestingly, the recovery phase is faster in nonsmoker subjects than in smoker ones; in fact, the recovery is complete 2 and 5 min after cigarette smoking in nonsmokers and in smokers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Smoking a single cigarette decreases the cutaneous blood flow in habitual smoker as well as in nonsmoker subjects. Moreover, the slower recovery phase of smokers suggests that their microcirculation become inured to smoke

Epidemiologic data about polymorphous light eruption in Italy

Aim. Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is the most common idiopathic photodermatosis. It describes a broad clinical spectrum with chronic recurrences. It is often characterized by non scarring pruritic erythematous papules, vesicles or plaques. UV exposure is the main pathogenetic factor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PLE in Italy, the main clinical features and the clinical course and recurrences in a Mediterranean population. Methods. The study was carried out on 4 416 subjects in 8 Dermatological Units in Italy, distributed over the whole country. Subjects were required to fill a simple questionnaire (43 questions) exploring the following topics: phototype and phenotype, and modalities of solar exposure. In the subjects with a previous PLE another questionnaire was submitted to investigate the clinical features of PLE, number of recurrences, familiar, pathological and pharmacological anamnesis. The study was carried out in healthy volunteers, not affected by any dermatological disease. Results. Among the 4 416 apparently healthy subjects who filled out the survey, 212 gave a history consistent with a diagnosis of PLE. The PLE prevalence was 5.89% without significant differences among the Dermatological Units distributed at different latitudes in our Country. The coalescent papules type of PLE was the most common clinical picture (36.4%); the body site most frequently affected was the trunk (61.1%). On the contrary, chronically sun exposed body site (i.e. the face) is affected just in few cases. Also people chronically sun exposed developed PLE less frequently than occasionally sun exposed people. Sometimes, PLE developed after a particularly intense sun exposure (37.7% of PLE). Conclusion. No correlations with drug assumption or environmental chemical compound have been underlined