Differentiation of inflammatory papulosquamous skin diseases based on skin biophysical and ultrasonographic properties: A decision tree model.

BACKGROUND: The biophysical and ultrasonographic properties of the skin change in papulosquamous diseases. AIMS: : To identify biophysical and ultrasonographic properties for the differentiation of five main groups of papulosquamous skin diseases. METHODS: Fifteen biophysical and ultrasonographic parameters were measured by multiprobe adapter system and high-frequency ultrasonography in active lesions and normal control skin in patients with chronic eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, pityriasis rosea and parapsoriasis/mycosis fungoides. Using histological diagnosis as a gold standard, a decision tree analysis was performed based on the mean percentage changes of these parameters [(lesion-control/control) ×100] for differentiation of the diseases. RESULTS: The accuracy of the decision tree model for differentiation of five diseases was 67% which developed based on changes in stratum corneum hydration, epidermal thickness, skin pH, melanin index, R0 (reciprocal of firmness) and erythema. Among the flowcharts for pairs of diseases, three models for differentiation had high accuracy (> 95%): those of psoriasis from lichen planus, pityriasis rosea, and parapsoriasis/mycosis fungoides. LIMITATIONS: Validation studies on a larger sample size in situations where the diagnosis is unclear are needed to confirm the accuracy and applicability of decision trees. CONCLUSION: Skin biophysical and ultrasonographic properties may help in the differentiation of papulosquamous diseases as simple and non-invasive tools.

Manifestaciones cutáneas en pacientes pediátricos infectados por el coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 / Cutaneous manifestations in pediatric patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

Introducción: El nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 ha causado un brote grave de la enfermedad denominado COVID-19. El virus fue identificado por primera vez en Wuhan, China, en diciembre del 2019. Recientemente se describieron las manifestaciones cutáneas, con similitud clínica entre niños y adultos. Se identificaron cinco patrones cutáneos: erupción máculo-papular, urticaria, lesiones acrales tipo perniciosas, erupción vesicular y livedo reticularis. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes pediátricos con manifestaciones cutáneas en el curso de la COVID-19. Presentacion de casos: Se estudiaron 10 pacientes pediátricos con COVID-19 ingresados en el Hospital Militar de Villa Clara Comandante Manuel Piti Fajardo. Del total de pacientes, 8 presentaron rash eritemato-papuloso y 2 rash urticariforme. Las lesiones urticariformes se presentaron solamente en las féminas y las eritemato-papulosas, de forma similar en ambos sexos con ligero predominio en las adolescentes pacientes femeninas. Ambas lesiones predominaron en el tronco y acompañadas de un prurito ligero o ausente. Solo requirieron tratamiento médico las lesiones urticariformes. Conclusiones: La principal expresión clínica en la población pediátrica atendida en Villa Clara son las manifestaciones cutáneas. Las lesiones eritemato-papulosas son las más frecuentes, tienen. aparición tardía y evolución favorable sin necesidad de tratamiento y sin acompañarse de otra sintomatología(AU)

Introduction: The new coronavirus called SARS-Cov-2 has caused a severe outbreak of the disease called COVID-19. This virus was identified for the first time in Wuhan, China on December,2019. There were recently described its cutaneous manifestations, with clinical similarities among children and adults. There were identified five cutaneous patterns: macular-papular rash, hives, acral lesions pernicious type, vesicular rash and livedo reticularis. Objective: To characterize pediatric patients with cutaneous manifestations during COVID-19 disease. Cases presentation: There were studied 10 pediatric patients with COVID-19 admitted in ´´Comandante Manuel Piti Fajardo´´ Military Hospital of Villa Clara province. From the total of patients, eight presented eritemato-papular rash and two had urticariform rash. Urticariform lesions were present just in the girls, the eritomato-papulosa lesions presented similarly in both sexes with slight predominance in female adolescents. Both types of lesions appeared with predominance in the torso and accompanied of slight or absent pruritus. Just the urticariform lesions required medical treatment. Conclusions: The main clinical presentations in the pediatric population attended in the Military Hospital of Villa Clara province are the cutaneous manifestations. Eritemato-papular lesions are the most frequent; they have late onset and favorable evolution with no need of treatment and with no other symptomatology(AU)

Dermoscopy of Common Inflammatory Disorders.

In addition to its "traditional" application for the early diagnosis of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, dermoscopy gains appreciation in fields beyond dermato-oncology. Nowadays, dermoscopy has been established as a reliable adjunctive tool to the everyday clinical practice of general dermatology. Morphology and distribution of vascular structures, background colors, follicular abnormalities, and the presence of scales are important features that should be evaluated. Clinical examination remains the undoubted mainstay of diagnosis in inflammatory and infectious diseases.

A clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological study of Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra (DPN) - An Indian perspective.

BACKGROUND: Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) is a benign cutaneous condition which commonly occurs in dark-skinned people, especially Asians and African Americans. Owing to its benign nature and rarity, very few studies have been conducted to date, and dermoscopic studies are practically nonexistent. OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) and to correlate the clinical findings with dermoscopic and histopathological findings in DPN. METHODS: A total of 100 patients attending the Dermatology outpatient department at Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, India, with clinically diagnosed dermatosis papulosa nigra were included in the study. Histopathology and dermoscopic evaluation of the lesions were done, and the characteristics seen were noted. RESULTS: Earlier onset of lesions was noted in our study, i.e. onset in the 4th decade as compared to the 6th decade in most other studies. A female preponderance, positive family history, history of sun exposure, and involvement of the head and neck were other significant associations. Histopathology revealed an acanthotic variant in all the lesions that were biopsied. The predominant dermoscopic finding was fissures and ridges of the cerebriform pattern followed by comedo-like openings. CONCLUSION: Dermatosis papulosa nigra is a benign unaesthetic condition seen in Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI. The diagnosis is mainly clinical; however, in a few cases histopathology and dermoscopy aid in differentiating it from other benign and malignant tumors. Dermoscopy, in particular, being a noninvasive investigative moiety is a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool.