Dermatoscopically narrowed surgical margins for head and neck basal cell carcinoma: A retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can cause extensive tissue damage if untreated. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice, but especially in the head-and neck area, defining both radical and healthy skin sparing surgical margins is complex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Excised, small (≤ 1 cm), BCCs of the head and neck were retrospectively analyzed, comparing histological properness of surgical margins after clinical-dermatoscopical preoperative evaluation (cases), vs. clinical evaluation only (controls) and recurrences. RESULTS: Of 281 BCCs: 6 % (8/139) of cases and 8 % (12/142) of controls had unproper deep margins; 4 % (5/139) of cases, 20 % (29/142) of controls had unproper lateral margins (P < 0.001). Surgical 3 mm lateral margins were unproper in 0 % (15/66) of cases, 15 % (10/66) of controls (P > 0.005); surgical 1-2 mm lateral margins were unproper in 7 % (5/73) of cases, 25 % (19/76) of controls (P < 0.01). Of cases excised at 3 mm, 1-2 mm, and controls, 1.5 %, 0 %, and 7.7 % recurred, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BCC excision at 3 mm may be appropriate in the head and neck for small, dermatoscopically well-defined and non-aggressive BCCs, attaining surgical cure rates of 100 % and 1.5 % recurrences. Excision at 1-2 mm should be reserved only for BCCs in very difficult-to-treat areas, as the surgical cure rate was only 93 %.

Dermatoskopisch kontrollierte, schmalere Resektionsränder bei Basalzellkarzinomen an Kopf und Hals: Retrospektive Fallkontrollstudie.

Hintergrund: Unbehandelt kann das Basalzellkarzinom (BCC) erhebliche Gewebezerstörungen verursachen. Die komplette chirurgische Exzision ist die Behandlung der Wahl. Allerdings stellt es besonders im Gesichts- und Halsbereich eine Herausforderung dar, den Tumor vollständig zu entfernen und möglichst viel gesundes Gewebe zu erhalten. Material und Methoden: Bereits exzidierte kleine BCC (≤ 1 cm) von Kopf oder Hals wurden retrospektiv analysiert. Verglichen wurde die histologisch kontrolliert angemessene Breite des Resektionsrandes nach präoperativer dermatoskopischer Untersuchung (Fälle) im Vergleich zur rein klinischen Untersuchung (Kontrollen), sowie die Rezidivrate. Ergebnisse: Bei 281 BCC: 6 % (8/139) der Fälle und 8 % (12/142) der Kontrollen zeigten inadäquate basale Resektionsränder; 4 % (5/139) der Fälle und 20 % (29/142) der Kontrollen zeigten inadäquate laterale Resektionsränder (P < 0.001). Laterale Resektionsränder von 3 mm waren in 0 % (15/66) der Fälle, jedoch in 15 % (10/66) der Kontrollen inadäquat (P >0.005); laterale Resektionsränder von 1-2 mm waren in 7 % (5/73) der Fälle und in 25 % (19/76) der Kontrollen inadäquat (P < 0.01). Rezidive traten in den Fällen mit 3 mm Resektionsrand in 1,5 % auf, in den Fällen mit 1-2 mm Resektionsrand bei 0 %, und bei den Kontrollen bei 7,7 %. Schlussfolgerung: Für BCC im Kopf- und Halsbereich erscheint ein Resektionsrand von 3 mm angemessen, sofern das BCC klein, dermatoskopisch gut definiert und wenig aggressiv ist. Hier zeigten sich operative Heilungsraten von 100 % mit 1,5 % Rezidiven. Resektionsränder von 1-2 mm sollten nur für BCC in sehr schwierig zu behandelnden Bereichen in Betracht gezogen werden, da die Heilungsrate hier nur bei 93 % lag.

Cutaneous reactions to COVID-19 vaccine at the dermatology primary care.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines can cause adverse reactions, mainly from vaccine-induced immune responses. Some of these may also involve the skin and worry unaware patients. A better understanding of such adverse reactions may reduce concerns and help promote the vaccination of large population groups. METHODS: All the reports of patients admitted to our Dermatology Primary Care, from March 2021 to June 2021, were retrospectively examined to collect descriptive data on skin reactions arising after COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS: Out of 200 vaccinated patients admitted to the Dermatology Primary Care, 21 (10.5%) referred cutaneous reactions with onset after vaccination. Only one patient required hospitalization for generalized bullous erythema multiforme, which occurred 48 h after the second vaccine dose. The other patients' cutaneous reactions to vaccination were of mild/moderate degree. Three patients presented exacerbation of their cutaneous diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous reactions observed in our sample were mostly mild or moderate. Awareness must be raised to recognize and treat eventual severe reactions. Future studies are needed to assess the incidence of cutaneous reactions following COVID-19 vaccination.

Papulopustular Rosacea Treated With Ivermectin 1% Cream: Remission of the Demodex Mite Infestation Over Time and Evaluation of Clinical Relapses.

Introduction: Topical ivermectin is an anti-inflammatory and anti-Demodex drug for papulopustular rosacea. Rosacea is a relapsing disease and the time between recurrences should be considered alongside efficacy. Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the time of first relapse and relapse rates of Demodex mite infestation and papulopustular rosacea. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of subjects affected by different degrees of papulopustular rosacea. Patients that achieved a complete response after treatment were monitored every 4 weeks and up to 32 additional weeks. For each patient, we evaluated recording the time to first relapse and relapse rate of Demodex mite infestation and rosacea. Results: The overall success rate on Demodex infestation was 87.5% only 12.5% relapse. Ivermectin leads to complete response in 70% of patients. Median time to relapse was 140 days, the mean time was 152 days. The global success rate was 54.76%. Conclusions: Topical ivermectin keeps a remission of Demodex infestation and clinical remission for long time. We proposed a twice weekly ivermectin maintenance therapy to reduce recurrences.

Acne Fulminans Induced by Lymecycline in a Patient with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Case Report.

Acne fulminans (AF) is a rare and severe form of inflammatory acne that typically occurs in male adolescents with acne vulgaris and is characterized by the sudden onset of painful, bleeding, and ulcerated lesions. It has been described very rarely in association with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Its onset may be induced by drugs, particularly isotretinoin. We present a case of a 16-year-old patient with HS who developed AF following initiation of antibiotic therapy with lymecycline. In the literature, only 2 patients who developed a coexistence of AF and HS have been reported, and there are only 2 other similar cases of AF induced by doxycycline and lymecycline. We consider our case to be of particular interest not only because of the very rare concomitant presence of AF and HS but also because AF was induced by lymecycline, a drug commonly used to treat both acne and HS, and described only once as a drug responsible for AF, so it is an aspect that deserves to be considered by the clinician dealing with similar conditions.

Giant nevus comedonicus of the entire lower left limb protecting from the associated bullous pemphigoid: A hypothetical role of NEK9 mutation?

We present the case of a 92-year-old woman, with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and a concomitant nevus comedonicus (NC) presenting as an asymptomatic, linear lesion of the entire lower left limb, formed by multiple comedones. Dermoscopy of the NC and histopathology confirmed the clinical and dermoscopic suspect of giant congenital nevus comedonicus. The two entities presented no overlap. In this article, we speculate that a mutation of the NEK9 gene, associated with NC, probably altering the normal follicular differentiation in NC lesions, may hypothetically also influence the expression of BPAG2 in NC. This might possibly influence a protective role of NC lesions towards BP. Undoubtedly, genetic studies would be needed to confirm or reject the proposed hypothesis.

Lichen planus flare following COVID-19 vaccination: A case report.

We report the third case of cutaneous lichen planus (LP) following COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccination in a 59-year-old woman with previous LP. The reactivation of LP in patients with dormant LP suggests a possible vaccine-induced immune dysregulation. We suggest that the already described vaccine-induced upregulation of Th1 response may play a relevant role in LP reactivation, through an increase in inflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of LP. Interestingly, LP has already been associated with vaccinations and viral infections including COVID-19 disease. However, the exact mechanism underlying LP (re)activation after Pfizer-BiotNtech COVID-19 vaccination is still widely unknown and needs to be further investigated.

Prevalence of stratified epithelium-specific antinuclear antibodies in 138 patients with lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Antibodies to stratified epithelia characterize chronic ulcerative stomatitis, an entity that very closely resembles erosive lichen planus both clinically and histologically. These antibodies are directed against a 70-kd antigen. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to verify whether antibodies to stratified epithelia are present in patients with common lichen planus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight patients with various forms of lichen planus were studied. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed on both monkey esophagus and HEp2-2000 cells. Immunoblotting was done with cultured keratinocytes used as the source antigen. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had antibodies to stratified epithelia (in 9 directed against an antigen of 70 kd). Forty-eight patients had circulating antibodies detected by indirect immunofluorescence on both monkey esophagus and HEp2-2000 cells (in 7 directed against an antigen of 70 kd). Indirect immunofluorescence was positive only on HEp2-2000 cells in 21 patients. Indirect immunofluorescence was negative in 50 patients on both HEp2-2000 cells and monkey esophagus. None of the last 71 patients had antibodies directed to an antigen of 70 kd. LIMITATIONS: This is a serological study; results from direct immunofluorescence studies would be interesting. CONCLUSION: Antibodies to stratified epithelia directed to an antigen of 70 kd are not exclusive to chronic ulcerative stomatitis, but are also present in some patients with lichen planus.