Multiphoton Laser Microscopy and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging for the Evaluation of the Skin

Multiphoton laser microscopy is a new, non-invasive technique providing access to the skin at a cellular and subcellular level, which is based both on autofluorescence and fluorescence lifetime imaging. Whereas the former considers fluorescence intensity emitted by epidermal and dermal fluorophores and by the extra-cellular matrix, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), is generated by the fluorescence decay rate. This innovative technique can be applied to the study of living skin, cell cultures and ex vivo samples. Although still limited to the clinical research field, the development of multiphoton laser microscopy is thought to become suitable for a practical application in the next few years: in this paper, we performed an accurate review of the studies published so far, considering the possible fields of application of this imaging method and providing high quality images acquired in the Department of Dermatology of the University of Modena

Quantitative evaluation of healthy epidermis by means of multiphoton microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

n/

Long-term efficacy of high doses of intravenous immunoglobulins in generalized scleromyxoedema: Case report

Scleromyxoedema is a rare disease with a progressive and disabling course involving dermal deposition of mucin and fibroblast proliferation; it is characterized clinically by a diffuse papular eruption, skin thickening, oedema and decreased skin flexibility, especially of the face and hands. Current therapy options are based on evidence from a limited number of case reports. The clinical manifestations and treatment of a 64-year-old man affected by scleromyxoedema with severe skin involvement of the face, arms and hands, decreased mouth opening and hypomotility of the fingers are reported. Dysphagia, asthenia and immunoglobulin G lambda monoclonal gammopathy were also present. Previous treatment with topical and systemic corticosteroids, psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation therapy, plasmapheresis, extracorporeal photochemotherapy, hydroxychloroquine and cyclophosphamide had been unsuccessful. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins at a dosage of 2 g/kg monthly was started. Considerable improvements were observed after seven cycles of therapy, with recovery of skin elasticity, an increase in facial mimic movement, restoration of joint function and improvement in the modified Rodnan score. There were no observed side-effects. The patient remains in remission on monthly maintenance intravenous immunoglobulins, 2 years after initial treatment

Photoletter to the editor: Collision tumor of melanoma and atypical fibroxanthoma of the scalp

Several combinations of different skin tumors occuring one adjacent to the other or even in a single lesion have been described up to date. Collision tumors involving atypical fibroxanthoma and melanoma are extremely uncommon. Herein we present a case of melanoma associated with AFX and discuss on the usefulness of dermoscopy in the clinical diagnosis of collision tumors

Groin Pain Syndrome Italian Consensus Conference update 2023.

Groin pain syndrome (GPS) is a controversial topic in Sports Medicine. The GPS Italian Consensus Conference on terminology, clinical evaluation and imaging assessment of groin pain in athletes was organized by the Italian Society of Arthroscopy in Milan, on 5 February 2016. In this Consensus Conference (CC) GPS etiology was divided into 11 different categories for a total of 63 pathologies. The GPS Italian Consensus Conference update 2023 is an update of the 2016 CC. The CC was based on a sequential, two-round online Delphi survey, followed by a final CC in the presence of all panelists. The panel was composed of 55 experts from different scientific and clinical backgrounds. Each expert discussed 6 different documents, one of which regarded the clinical and imaging definition of sports hernias, and the other 5 dealt with 5 new clinical situations thought to result in GPS. The panelists came to an agreement on the definition of a sports hernia. Furthermore, an agreement was reached, recognizing 4 of the 5 possible proposed pathologies as causes to GPS. On the contrary, the sixth pathology discussed did not find consensus given the insufficient evidence in the available scientific literature. The final document includes a new clinical and imaging definition of sports hernia. Furthermore, the etiology of GPS was updated compared to the previous CC of 2016. The new taxonomic classification includes 12 categories (versus 11 in the previous CC) and 67 pathologies (versus 63 in the previous CC)