Lupus erythematosus-specific bullous lesions.

Lupus erythematosus (LE)-specific bullous lesions are often difficult to distinguish from other bullous diseases presenting in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Herein, we describe a 49-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus with recurrent tense bullae on the forearms. Clinical, histopathologic, and serologic findings led to the diagnosis of LE-specific bullous lesions. We also summarize the diagnostic clues for distinguishing LE-specific bullous lesions, bullous systemic lupus erythematosus, and erythema multiforme-like lesions in LE (Rowell syndrome).

Dermatological manifestations of fungal infection in patients with febrile neutropaenia: A review of the literature.

Febrile neutropaenia (FNP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Although most infections are caused by bacterial pathogens, fungal infections are becoming increasingly more common. Due to its rarity, the diagnosis of fungal infections in febrile neutropenic patients is often delayed. To provide current clinical features, epidemiology, aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous involvement of fungal infection in patients with FNP. A retrospective literature review of PubMed was performed, with no language or publishing data restrictions, yielding 116 results. We queried each case for cutaneous lesions associated with fungal pathogens in FNP. We found 54 publications with 215 reported cases of cutaneous manifestations of fungal injury in patients with FNP. This study is limited in that it is a literature review of a disease that is likely underreported. Cutaneous lesions caused by yeasts such as Candida and Trichosporon manifest as diffuse erythematous papules and usually do not develop central necrosis or eschar, while moulds will present as tender nodules that subsequently develop eschar and necrosis. Recognising the cutaneous manifestations of fungal disease can assist in the diagnosis and management of these infections.

In vitro determination of Mexican Mestizo hair shaft diameter using optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: Mexican mestizo population has a pluriethnic mixture of Amerindian, European and African ancestry, predominant in most Latin American countries. Until now, there are no reports about hair characteristics in this population, necessary to define normal values, for hair diseases evaluation and comparison among other ethnic groups. METHODS: The VivoSight® swept-source multibeam optical coherence tomography system was used to evaluate hair diameter and shape in 30 females. Three hair samples from each volunteer were measured transversely along three distances, generating nine cross-sectional images, two measurements per image and 18 measurements per patient for a total of 540 diameter measurements. RESULTS: Minimum hair diameter (n = 540) was 0.06 mm while maximum was 0.14 mm. Mean diameter was 0.10 ± 0.01 mm as compared with Asian hair, which ranges from 0.08 mm to 0.12 mm. On morphological analysis, Mexican Mestizo hair tends to have a round shape with homogenous diameters, resembling Caucasian and Asian hair. CONCLUSION: Mexican hair is similar to Asian hair in diameter and shape and can be classified as 'thick' hair, which make it more resistant and with more volume. Cosmetic products intended to improve hair care in this population must to consider this characteristic.

Short anagen syndrome: Case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Short anagen syndrome is a hair cycle disorder usually diagnosed in early childhood and characterized by short hair length due to short duration of the anagen phase. The objective was to review the presentation and demographic characteristics of short anagen syndrome and compare them with the most common differential diagnosis, loose anagen syndrome. METHODS: A retrospective review of eight children with short anagen syndrome was performed at the University of Miami Outpatient Dermatology Clinic. RESULTS: The diagnosis of short anagen syndrome was confirmed according to clinical findings and characteristic short telogen hairs with pointed tips on the hair pull test. CONCLUSION: This is the largest reported clinical series of short anagen syndrome thus far in the literature.

Cutaneous Manifestations of Lightning Injury: A Review of the Literature.

Lightning is a rare but potentially devastating cause of injury and mortality. The cutaneous burns associated with lightning strikes demonstrate peculiar pathognomonic signs and patterns. In this review of the literature, we discuss the epidemiology and etiology of lightning injuries, lightning compared to other forms of high voltage electrical injury, the clinical features of lightning injuries, the most common cutaneous manifestations associated with lightning strikes, and the treatment and prevention of lightning injuries. Some of the cutaneous manifestations include feathering lesions, linear burns, punctate burns, and thermal injuries. While not considered true burns, Lichtenburg figures display a unique ferning pattern. Although lightning injuries are typically superficial, transient, and resolve relatively quickly compared to other electrical burns, the ability to recognize their cutaneous manifestations may improve emergent care and life-saving measures for these victims. Additionally, superficial surface burns secondary to lightning injury do not preclude systemic injury and significant pathology may be underlying.

What's New in Nail Disorders.

Various advancements in the diagnosis and management of nail diseases have transpired in recent years. To provide the best care for patients with nail complaints, it is essential that physicians be updated on new diagnostic and treatment modalities. The purpose of this article is to discuss new and oncoming diagnostic and management options for nail disorders, including nail psoriasis, retronychia, brittle nails, onychotillomania, trauma, trachyonychia, and pyogenic granulomas.

Medical comorbidities in patients with lichen planopilaris, a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a rare inflammatory lymphocyte-mediated disease of the scalp considered to have an autoimmune pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of medical comorbidities in patients with classic LPP (CLPP) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA). METHODS: The medical records of 206 LPP patients and 323 control patients were retrospectively reviewed for existing comorbidities. The control group consisted of 257 patients with androgenetic alopecia (ICD 9 = 704.0 or ICD 10 = L64.9) and 66 patients with actinic keratosis (ICD 9 = 702.0 or ICD 10 = L57.0). RESULTS: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was found in 4.37% of all patients with LPP (including CLPP and the FFA subtype) and in 0.31% of controls. Female patients with the FFA subtype were more likely to have SLE than controls (OR 31.034, 95% CI 2.405-400.382, P = 0.0085). LIMITATIONS: This study is limited in that it is a retrospective chart review. CONCLUSION: Female patients with FFA are significantly more likely to have SLE. Patients with LPP (including CLPP and the FFA subtype) are less likely to have diabetes. Patients with CLPP excluding FFA are less likely to have hypertension, heart disease, and hypothyroidism.

Ranking predatory journals in dermatology: distinguishing the bad from the ugly.

BACKGROUND: The scientific community depends on high-quality peer-reviewed research, which is being polluted with pseudoscience published in fake journals that have exploited the open-access model. This "predatory publishing" has made its way into the field of dermatology. In a recent study, we identified and listed these journals. METHODS: The "predatory rate" was calculated for 76 journals in order to rank the journals based on specific criteria associated with unethical publishing. RESULTS: Of the 76 journals, 89.5% were classified as predatory journals and the remaining as journals involved in predatory practices. CONCLUSION: The field of dermatology is not immune to predatory publishers. This study validates Beall's list as well as other previous studies. Strategies to a solution include spreading awareness throughout academic institutions and dermatology departments as well as avoiding publishers that are involved in predatory practices. However, some journals may be able to make necessary adjustments and become legitimate contributors to the field.