Dermoscopic features of melanocytic nevi in seven different anatomical locations in patients with atypical nevi syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopic screening facilitates early detection of melanoma and is recommended in patients with multiple or atypical nevi. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether dermoscopic features of acquired melanocytic nevi differ between six body sites (neck, axilla, pectoral area, shoulders, buttocks, legs) and the trunk. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred six patients with atypical nevi syndrome from a Digital Dermoscopy Unit were evaluated for the presence of nevi in each of seven body sites, and nevi representative of each region were selected as the predominant nevi. Dermoscopic features of 684 melanocytic nevi located in seven different body sites were analyzed. RESULTS: Globular and globular-homogeneous pattern nevi showed a cephalad distribution. Nevi at the neck, axilla, shoulders, and pectoral area showed a higher proportion of globular and globular-homogeneous patterns than other locations (p < .001). Comma vessels were also more frequent on the neck, axillary area, and shoulders (p < .001). A reticular pattern was more frequent on caudal areas (legs, buttocks and lower back, and abdomen; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopic differences were found in different body areas. This information should be considered in the evaluation of lesions in patients with atypical nevus syndrome.

[Subcutaneous sarcoidosis as the first manifestation of systemic disease]. / Sarcoidosis subcutánea como primera manifestación de enfermedad sistémica.

There are dermatological symptoms in up to 25% of patients with sarcoidosis, and the appearance of specific subcutaneous nodules as a manifestation of this entity is rare. They may even predate other manifestations of sarcoidosis. We present the case of a 38-year-old woman with asymptomatic subcutaneous nodules in the limbs, which corresponded to deep sarcoid granulomas in the histological study. She did not present with any extracutaneous indications. The imaging tests performed revealed right paratracheal adenopathies. This led to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, in both its subcutaneous and pulmonary forms (stage I). Subcutaneous sarcoidosis is probably an underdiagnosed entity, as fewer than 40 cases are reflected in literature. Its value lies in the fact that it may be the first manifestation of extracutaneous or systemic sarcoidosis, which means that this form of sarcoidosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous nodular lesions; close follow-up of these patients is also necessary.

[Xanthomas in a patient with Langerhans cell histiocytosis and liver cirrhosis]. / Xantomas en paciente con histiocitosis de células de Langerhans y cirrosis biliar.

Skin involvement in acute forms of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is in the form of erythematous papules, although rare forms of xanthomatous lesions have been described. We present the case of a boy with acute disseminated LCH who, at the age of 16 months, began to experience outbreaks of seborrheic dermatitis-like skin lesions and progressive hepatic dysfunction. The symptoms were complicated by partial central diabetes insipidus and specific pulmonary infiltration by Langerhans cells, which led to fibrosis. During the course of the disease, the patient developed liver cirrhosis, alterations in the lipid profile and disseminated xanthomatous skin lesions, concomitant with the lesions specific to the LCH. Despite successive cycles of chemotherapy, the outcome was the death of the patient after five years, due to his liver disease. Xanthomatous lesions in LCH are typical of the late stages of chronic progressive forms, such as Hand-Schüller-Christian disease. When they appear in acute disseminated forms, there is some controversy over whether they correspond to a progression of the disease towards more chronic forms, or whether they are associated independent lesions, such as in this case.

[Allergic contact eczema from epoxy resin]. / Eczema alérgico de contacto por resina epoxi.

Epoxy resins are plastics that are widely used as electrical insulation, in coatings, and as adhesives and paints. They have strong sensitizing power and are one of the main causes of allergic contact eczema, both in the workplace and elsewhere. We present the case of a worker at a plastics/chemical plant, who handled aeronautical components in the process of manufacturing fuselage parts. He consulted his physician because of eczematous lesions on his fingers, hands and forearms which had developed over a two-year period and were clearly related to his work. The standard battery of skin tests was performed, along with the plastics and adhesives series and tests using the products from his workplace. Positivity was shown to epoxy resins (standard battery) and to the products from his workplace, which included different fiberglass and carbon fiber sheets impregnated with epoxy resins and epoxy adhesives.