A lumpy back: extensive cutaneous collagenomas

A widespread form of eruptive collagenomas in a 12-year-old man is presented for the impressive iconography, challenging differential diagnosis, and histopathological considerations associated with such rare connective tissue disorders. Syndromic forms should be carefully investigated for the different course and prognosis. Treatment is a major unsolved issue as aesthetic concerns are significant, especially in young adults

Glomeruloid reactive angioendotheliomatosis in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome mimicking reticular erythematous mucinosis

The umbrella term ‘‘cutaneous reactive angioma- toses’’ was introduced in 2003 to include uncommon angioproliferative (capillary) cutaneous conditions, which present with variable clinical features and involve patients with a variety of underlying systemic conditions.1 Histologically, these disorders are char- acterized by different patterns of intravascular or extravascular lobular or diffuse hyperplasia of endo- thelial cells, pericytes, and, sometimes, histiocytes, mostly throughout the dermis.1 The first condition to be described was reactive angioendotheliomatosis (RAE), which is usually associated with prothrom- botic conditions.1 We report a case of RAE in its rare glomeruloid variant, occurring in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphos- pholipid syndrome (APS), which is notable because it mimics reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM)

Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis: low-risk human papilloma virus detection in two further cases

We report two cases of histologically documented pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis in middle-aged male patients, which showed positivity for low-risk serotype human papillomavirus DNA. To our knowledge, only one other case has been documented. Further immunohistochemical proliferative markers were performed and compared to literature findings in penile epithelial proliferations. Evolution to invasive verrucous carcinoma has been associated with absence of HPV DNA. Thus, if confirmed by further studies, HPV testing should be included in pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis assessment to address prognosis, and management

Primary Localized Cutaneous Nodular Amyloidosis and Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis: Additional Cases with Dermatoscopic and Histopathological Correlation of Amyloid Deposition

Primary localized cutaneous nodular amyloidosis (PLCNA) is a rare condition due to the plasma cell proliferation and skin deposition of immunoglobulin light chains, without systemic amyloidosis or hematological dyscrasias. The association with autoimmune connective tissue diseases has been reported, especially with Sjogren's syndrome, and in a few cases with systemic sclerosis. Herein, we describe three cases of PLCNA occurring in women with a diagnosis of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis and review the literature on the topic to highlight a stereotypical presentation. Moreover, we support the usefulness of dermoscopy, characterized by a yellow-orange waxy pattern surrounded by telangiectasias, for a rapid and non-invasive diagnostic assessment. Thus, when asymptomatic nodules occur on lower limbs of women affected with limited systemic sclerosis, and dermoscopy identifies yellow-orange blotches, a diagnosis of PLCNA can be considered and further confirmed by histopathology. Monitoring for systemic amyloidosis development is advisable, although the risk of progression is considered very low

Melanoma occurrence under long-term etanercept treatment for psoriasis: a case report

Melanoma occurrence during treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor is considered an incidental event, although very recent studies suggest a risk. Etanercept is a fusion protein that binds the tumor necrosis factor receptor and is included among TNF inhibitors, approved for the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis.We described a 79-year-old man with psoriasis, being treated with etanercept, who presented with a new brown to black macule on his right shoulder; this was immediately surgically excised. Histology showed a superficial spreading melanoma, 1.2 mm Breslow thickness, one mitosis/hpf, with no vascular or neural invasion (stage T2b). Sentinel lymph node biopsy was negative. There were no apparent melanoma risk factors: normal total nevus count, photo type IV, no childhood sunburns, no family history of melanoma, and no previous immune suppressive drugs and/or phototherapies. Etanercept 50 mg/week had been administered continuously for 5 years before the melanoma occurrence. After etanercept withdrawal his psoriasis slowly, but progressively relapsed

Adenopathy and extensive skin patch overlying a plasmacytoma (AESOP) syndrome

Adenopathy and extensive skin patch overlying a plasmacytoma is a very rare syndrome featuring a red-to-brown, violaceous skin patch along with a plasmacytoma. Only 11 case reports exist in the literature. Skin biopsies from the cutaneous patch overlying the plasmacytoma exhibit a dermal vascular hyperplasia with increased surrounding dermal mucin. Radiation therapy is used to treat and cure the plasmacytoma

Don't forget about syphilis: sexually transmitted diseases during COVID-19 pandemic

A great heterogeneity of skin manifestations has been increasingly associated with SARS-CoV2 infection, and especially exanthematous eruptions are considered among early presenting signs in symptomatic patients. In this report, a 58-year-old patient presented with fever, generalized rash and systemic symptoms as urgent consultation to the Dermatology Clinic of Cagliari amidst the Italian outbreak in late March 2020. After a negative nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2, secondary syphilis was confirmed by serological tests and skin biopsy, underlining that, even during a global pandemic, other common and important diseases should not be overlooked. The case also suggests thought on the ineffectiveness of distancing and social containment measures when dealing with sexually transmitted diseases

An Italian multicentre study on adult atopic dermatitis: persistent versus adult-onset disease.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease which predominantly affects children. However, AD may persist until adulthood (persistent AD), or directly start in adults (adult-onset AD). AD often shows a non-flexural rash distribution, and atypical morphologic variants in adults and specific diagnostic criteria are lacking. Moreover, adult AD prevalence as well as detailed data which can characterize persistent vs adult-onset subtype are scant. The aim of this study was to investigate on the main features of adult AD particularly highlighting differences between persistent vs adult-onset form. An Italian multicentre observational study was conducted between April 2015-July 2016 through a study-specific digital database. 253 adult AD patients were enrolled. Familiar history of AD was negative in 81.0%. Erythemato-desquamative pattern was the most frequent clinical presentation (74.3%). Flexural surface of upper limbs was most commonly involved (47.8%), followed by eyelid/periocular area (37.9%), hands (37.2%), and neck (32%). Hypertension (7.1%) and thyroiditis (4.3%) were the most frequent comorbidities. A subgroup analysis between persistent (59.7%) vs adult-onset AD patients (40.3%) showed significant results only regarding AD severity (severe disease was more common in persistent group, p < 0.05), itch intensity (higher in adult-onset disease), and comorbidities (hypertension was more frequent in adult-onset group, p < 0.01). Adult AD showed uncommon features such as significant association with negative AD family history and lacking of association with systemic comorbidities respect to general population. No significant differences among persistent vs adult-onset subgroup were registered except for hypertension, itch intensity, and disease severity

Lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma in vivo differentiation with dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy. a retrospective, multicentre study

IntroductionDermoscopic predictors of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) have been recently reported, but these have not been reported in reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). Objectives(i) To validate dermoscopic predictors for LM/LMM, (ii) to identify RCM patterns in LM and LMM, and (iii) correlations between dermoscopic and RCM features in LM and LMM. Materials and MethodsA retrospective, multicentre study of consecutive lesions with histologically proven LM or LMM subtypes of the head and face, with complete sets of dermoscopic and RCM images. ResultsA total of 180 lesions were included (n = 40 LMM). Previously reported differential dermoscopic features for LM subtypes were confirmed. Other features significantly associated with LMM diagnosis included irregular hyperpigmented areas, shiny white streaks, atypical vessels and light brown colour at dermoscopy and medusa head-like structures, dermal nests and nucleated cells within the papillae at RCM (p &lt; 0.05). Correlations among LM lesions between dermoscopic and RCM features included brown to-grey dots and atypical cells (epidermis), grey colour and inflammation and obliterated follicles and medusa head-like structures. Among LMM lesions, significant correlations included obliterated follicles with folliculotropism, both irregular hyperpigmented areas and irregular blotches with widespread atypical cell distribution (epidermis), dermal nests and nucleated cells within the papillae (dermis). Irregular blotches were also associated with medusa head-like structures (dermal epidermal junction [DEJ]). ConclusionsDermoscopic and RCM features can assist in the in vivo identification of LM and LMM and many are correlated. RCM three-dimensional analysis of skin layers allows the identification of invasive components in the DEJ and dermis

Active elderly and health-can moderate exercise improve health and wellbeing in older adults? Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background: Aging is marked by a progressive rise in chronic diseases with an impact on social and healthcare costs. Physical activity (PA) may soothe the inconveniences related to chronic diseases, has positive effects on the quality of life and biological rhythms, and can prevent the decline in motor functions and the consequent falls, which are associated with early death and disability in older adults. Methods: We randomized 120 over-65 males and females into groups of similar size and timing and will give each either moderate physical activity or cultural and recreational activities. Being younger than 65 years, inability to participate in physical activity for any medical reason, and involvement in a massive program of physical exercise are the exclusion criteria. The primary outcome measures are quality of life, walking speed, and postural sway. Participants are tested at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month (24 weeks) and 12-month (48 weeks) follow-ups. Discussion: This study aims at improving the quality of life, wellness, and cognitive functioning in the elderly through a low-cost affordable program of moderate physical activity. Given the growing aging of the world population and the social and economic burden of disability in the elderly, our results might have a major impact on future practices