Malignant melanoma in Chile: different site distribution between private and state patients

BACKGROUND: The body site location of primary Malignant Melanoma (MM) has been correlated with prognosis and survival. Ethnic, genetics, sun exposure factors are related to the anatomical distribution of MM. Low and high socioeconomic strata in Chile differ in ethnic, genetic and cultural conditions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the anatomical MM distribution in the Chilean population in both strata searching for differences due to their ethno-genetic-cultural differences. Records of 1148 MM, 575cases from state hospitals (Low Socioeconomic Strata, LSS) and 573 cases from private clinics (High Socioeconomic Strata, HSS) were analyzed by body site. RESULTS: Females from LSS showed a higher number of MM in soles, cheeks, and around the eye area. Females from the HSS showed a higher number of MM in dorsal feet and dorsal hands. Males from LSS showed a higher number of MM in soles, around the eye area, and cheeks. However, males from HSS showed a higher number of MM in the trunk, and in the arms. Acral MM was significantly higher in LSS than in the HSS in both sexes. The Chilean population from the HSS and LSS showed differences in the distribution of MM by site. Furthermore, gender differences in the proportion of MM analyzed by anatomical site are observed in both strata. CONCLUSIONS: Results show evidence that differential genetics factors, sun exposure, or other environmental or cultural factors of both strata may account for these differences

Sarcoidosis subcutánea sin compromiso sistémico

We present the case of a 52 year old woman with a history of bilateral ovarian cancer operated. The patient attended the dermatology unit for a sudden onset of a left plantar nodule of three weeks of evolution, painful on walking, with no other history in particular. At physical examination, the patient presented a surface nodule slightly hyperpigmented, with ill-defined edges, round shape, firm consistency, mobile and painful to compression, one cm of diameter, in the middle third of the left plant. No concomitant scars are seen. Doppler soft tissue ultrasound is requested, showing a granulomatous nodule on the surface of the plantar aponeurosis. The biopsy lesion revealed non-caseating granulomas in cell tissue, PAS and Ziehl-Neelsen staining are negative A left plantar subcutaneous sarcoidosis is diagnosed, systemic involvement is ruled out. Within the first year of follow-up, there are no new lesions or findings compatible with systemic disease

Caracterización de pacientes pediátricos usuarios de fototerapia en el Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile (2007-2015)

Background: Phototherapy is the use of specific wavelenghts of light that have shown effectiveness in the treatment of several cutaneous diseases. Current indications for phototherapy in Dermatology include multiple pathologies and it is considered to be cost- effective. Literature about its use in children is rare, there are no studies on phototherapy in Chilean children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational, descriptive, retrospective study. Clinical records of pediatric patients treated with phototherapy at University of Chile Clinical Hospital between 2007 and 2015, were studied. For each patient, the following parameters were analyzed: age of starting treatment, sex, skin phenotype, diagnosis, prescribed phototherapy and weekly frecuency. RESULTS: 146 patients, 85 girls and 51 boys, average age 11.7 ± 4.0 years. Predominant skin phenotype, was Fitzpatrick type III. Vitiligo was identified as the most common indication for phototherapy (52,2 %), followed by psoriasis (22,6 %). By a large margin, the most used type of phototherapy was nb UVB (96.6 %). Most of the patients were treated twice per week (69.2 %). DISCUSSION: The obtained results in this group are similar to those results described in the international literature. Further studies are required for a better knowledge about efficacy and possible long-term effects of phototherapy on Chilean children