Improved efficacy and tolerability of retinoic acid in acne vulgaris: a new topical formulation with cyclodextrin complex psi.

OBJECTIVES: Retinoic acid (RA) has long been used, both topically and systemically, for disorders of keratinization, acne and related disorders. In the present study, the efficacy and tolerability of topical RA prepared as a cyclodextrin beta complex (beta-CD) is investigated in 66 acne vulgaris patients. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compares nightly topical application of RA/beta-CD complex hydrogel formulation (0.025%), RA/beta-CD complex in moisturizing base (0.025%), hydrogel base, moisturizer base or a commercial RA gel (0.05%) in acne vulgaris patients. Improvement of acne was assessed using a 5-point improvement scale and by measuring sebum and moisture content of the skin using an SM 810 sebumeter/corneometer. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment, mean scores of acne improvement on the 5-point scale were 4 with the RA/beta-CD complex hydrogel formulation, 4.1 with the RA/beta-CD complex in moisturizing base, 1.2 with hydrogel placebo base, 1.1 with moisturizer placebo base and 3 with the commercial RA product. All patients treated with the commercial product experienced local side-effects. One patient discontinued due to severe irritation. None of the patients treated with the RA/beta-CD complex in the moisturizing base and hydrogel formulation experienced significant local irritation, although the sebum content of the skin decreased after application of the RA/beta-CD preparations. This change was not significant compared to controls. The moisture content of the skin was better preserved in the group treated with the RA/beta-CD complex in the moisturizing base. CONCLUSION: The topical RA/beta-CD complex, in hydrogel and moisturizing base, was more effective than the twice concentrated commercial RA product. There were few topical side-effects with this new formulation, which increases patient compliance. Topical RA/beta-CD (0.025% RA) did not significantly reduce sebum secretion but may help to preserve optimum epidermal moisture content with the proper base formulation. This is the first study in the literature reporting efficacy and tolerability of the topical RA/beta-CD complex in acne vulgaris. We conclude that the topical RA/beta-CD complex displays an improved efficacy and tolerability profile and is an effective treatment alternative for acne vulgaris.

A case of pemphigus vulgaris possibly triggered by quinolones.

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disorder in which both genetic and environmental factors, mainly drugs, are thought to play a part in its aetiopathogenesis. Although some drugs that contain thiol groups, such as D-penicillamine and captopril, and non-thiol drugs, such as cephalosporin, have been reported to trigger or induce pemphigus, there are no previous reports regarding the influence of quinolones in triggering this disease. Here we present a case of pemphigus possibly triggered by quinolones.

A case of Netherton's syndrome with cerebral infarction.

Netherton's syndrome, a rare congenital disease of childhood, is characterized by variable cutaneous erythematous eruptions with different manifestations. A five-year-old boy, who presented with ichthyosis linearis circumflexa, atopic manifestations and pili torti, had spastic hemiparesia due to cerebral infarction. Netherton's syndrome can easily be misdiagnosed as Leiner's disease, generalized psoriasis or nonbullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, especially in the neonatal period, because of its nonspecific clinical and histological features. Pediatricians should consider this syndrome in the differential diagnosis of the generalized erythematous skin disorders of childhood associated with various abnormalities.

Multiple basal cell carcinomas developed after radiation therapy for tinea capitis: a case report.

Development of skin neoplasms is the most important complication of radiation therapy. There are contradictive reports about the type of these neoplasms. Squamous cell carcinomas are considered the most frequent tumors arising on chronic radiodermatitis areas, but recent studies have demonstrated that the type of neoplasm occurring in response to ionizing radiation exposure depends on several factors. Herein we report a patient who had received low-dose radiation for the treatment of tinea capitis and developed multiple basal cell carcinomas in the radiated areas after a long latent period of 53 years.

Treatment of epidermodysplasia verruciformis with a combination of acitretin and interferon alfa-2a.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by the lifelong eruption of disseminated verrucae-like lesions. Numerous treatment modalities have been used to treat EV without benefit. Recently, retinoid and interferon therapies have been found to be of value in the treatment of EV. We present a case of EV that was treated with a combination of acitretin and interferon alfa-2a.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: a rare cause of hypertension in children.

We describe an 11-year-old girl with severe renin-dependent hypertension. She had characteristic cutaneous, ocular, and vascular signs of pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), and the diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Because PXE is a heterogeneous heritable disorder, the family was evaluated for this condition. Since the patient's mother and brother showed some manifestations of PXE, autosomal dominant inheritance is the most likely inheritance pattern in this family.

Acquired ichthyosis associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Acquired ichthyosis (AI) has rarely been described following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We report a 29-year-old male, who underwent allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (alloPBSCT) for chronic myelogenous leukemia, and who developed AI associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Both of these disorders were treated successfully with cyclosporin A. We conclude that AI may be related to an autoimmune process on the basis of cGVHD, and dermathopathologic evaluation must be performed in patients with skin changes suggesting AI following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Stasis dermatitis of the hand associated with an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula.

Stasis dermatitis is a cutaneous finding associated with chronic venous failure resulting in venous stasis. Arteriovenous fistula in the hand may cause a chronic venous stasis. We report a case of stasis dermatitis of the hand associated with an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula. Stasis dermatitis should be considered as a potential complication of iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula.