A Study Comparing the Efficacy of Monopolar Radiofrequency and Glycolic Acid Peels in Facial Rejuvenation of Aging Skin Using Histopathology and Ultrabiomicroscopic Sonography (UBM) - An Evidence Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Radio frequency (RF) and chemical peels have been used for nonablative skin rejuvenation. Both of these cause collagen remodeling in the dermis and neo-collagen formation resulting in facial rejuvenation. There is limited literature on the evaluation of collagen remodeling by objective methods. OBJECTIVE: To compare the benefits of monopolar radiofrequency and glycolic acid peels in facial rejuvenation with regards to histopathology and Ultrabiomicroscopic sonography (UBM). METHODOLOGY: In this study, forty patients with mild to moderate photoaging received four treatments with 3 weeks interval of monopolar radiofrequency on one side of face and glycolic acid peels in increasing concentrations (NeostrataR) on the other side. Pre and post treatment, 2 mm biopsies were taken from both preauricular areas and Ultrasonography using a 35 MHz probe was done from outer canthus of eye and nasolabial folds from both sides of face. A blinded assessment was done to measure the increase in the grenz zone and dermal thickness. RESULTS: In 35/40 patients there was a significant increase in the grenz zone on histopathology and decrease in subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) on UBM of the nasolabial folds on both sides of the face (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency and chemical peels showed equal efficacy in the treatment of facial rejuvenation.

Three rare cases of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis.

Phaeohyphomycosis is a chronic infectious condition caused by dematiaceous fungi which usually involve the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is characterised by papulonodules, verrucous, hyperkeratotic or ulcerated plaques, cysts, abscesses, pyogranuloma, non-healing ulcers or sinuses. In India, commonly associated genera are Exophiala, Phialophora, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fonsecaea and Alternaria. This condition involves the presence of brown-walled hyphal structures in the dermis and epidermis. Here, we are reporting a rare case series of three patients of phaeohyphomycosis with lesions on finger and dorsum of the hand.

Patient Perspectives of the Impact of Psoriatic Disease on Quality-of-Life in India: Sub-analysis from the Global Psoriasis and Beyond Survey.

Background: Psoriatic disease (PsD), including plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), comprises a wide spectrum of manifestations and significantly impacts quality-of-life (QoL). Here, we assessed patients' understanding of PsO and PsA as a systemic disease, its impact on their physical and emotional well-being, and patients' experiences with healthcare professionals for shared treatment decision-making. Materials and Methods: The Global Psoriatic Disease and Beyond Survey was a cross-sectional, qualitative, online survey conducted on patients with moderate-to-severe PsO with/without concomitant PsA. This analysis reports findings from Indian patients. Results: Of the 261 surveyed patients, 27% with PsO reported concomitant PsA, of whom 89% reported PsA severity as moderately or highly active. Overall, 92% had heard the term "PsD," and 90% knew their condition was a systemic disease. Few were aware of PsD manifestations (palmoplantar psoriasis, 49%; nail psoriasis, 43%; axial symptoms, 40%; PsA, 34%) and comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, 33%; obesity, 30%; diabetes, 28%). Eighty-nine percent of patients indicated their skin problems had a "very-large" to "extreme-large" impact on QoL. Ninety-seven percent of patients experienced discrimination and stigmatization from others. Eighty-one percent of patients were not involved in deciding treatment goals. Few (PsO, 6%; PsA, 9%) patients were dissatisfied with current treatment; ≥50% patients reported incomplete relief of skin symptoms (PsO) and joint symptoms (PsA) as the reason for dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Lack of awareness of the manifestations and comorbidities associated with PsD and poor QoL highlights the need for patient education, shared treatment decision-making, and a multidimensional approach to PsD management in India.

Nailfold capillaroscopy as a prognostic marker for connective tissue diseases: An observational clinico-epidemiological study.

Background Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) is useful in the diagnosis and assessment of various connective tissue diseases. In this study, NFC findings were studied in patients of systemic sclerosis (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis. Aims To study the nailfold capillaroscopic findings in patients with connective tissue disorders, their correlation with disease severity, and changes in findings following treatment or disease progression. Methods This observational prospective time-bound clinico-epidemiological study was conducted in 43 patients over 20 months at Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Ch. Hospital, Mumbai. NFC was performed using the polarising mode of a USB 2.0 video-dermatoscope in all 10 fingernails at 50X and 200X. It was repeated at three follow-up visits to look for changes in findings. Results Among SLE patients, eleven (52.4%) had non-specific NFC patterns and eight (38.1%) had SLE patterns. Among systemic sclerosis patients, eight (42.1%) cases had active and late SS patterns respectively, while one (5.3%) each had SLE, non-specific and early SS patterns. After three follow-ups, 10 out of 11 (90.9%) cases with improvement in NFC also showed clinical improvement; this figure was significantly more than 11 out of 23 (47.8%) cases who had no change in NFC but showed clinical improvement. Two of the three dermatomyositis patients showed a non-specific pattern while one showed a late SS pattern at baseline. Limitations A larger sample size would have yielded results with more validity. Standardisation of the interval between baseline and last follow-up to equal to or more than six months would have yielded results with more accuracy. Conclusion Capillary findings change significantly over time and reflect changes in the clinical status of patients of both SLE and systemic sclerosis, and hence are an important prognostic marker. Rather than an overt change in NFC pattern, reduction or increase in abnormal capillaries is a better predictor of change in disease activity.

A non healing ulcer on scalp.

Angiosarcoma is a soft tissue tumour with a dismal prognosis. We present a 74 year old male presenting with a non healing ulcer on the scalp. On histopathology a diagnosis of angiosarcoma was made. An early diagnosis and tumour size play a pivotal role in the survival of the patient.

A Rare Case of Multidrug-Resistant Lupus Vulgaris with a Mixed Pattern of Resistance - A Long Journey to Diagnosis and Treatment.

An 18-year-old male presented with a single round to oval well-defined irregular erythematous plaque 10 cm × 6 cm, with a verrucous surface, central atrophy, and crusting at the periphery on the right knee of one-year duration. The patient had received ATT (anti-tubercular treatment) twice in the past without any improvement. MGIT (mycobacteria growth indicator tube) and CBNAAT (Cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test) were performed, and drug sensitivity testing was done, which led to a diagnosis of multidrug resistance (MDR) with a mixed pattern. The management of cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is becoming difficult due to an increase in resistance to category-I ATT. Patients harboring MDR and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains present a fearsome challenge for the clinician. A cure is possible with early identification of resistance and the use of an appropriate regimen.

Clinical and histopathological aspects of lichenoid dermatitis in patients of retroviral diseases.

Context: Lichen planus (LP) is known to be associated with viral infections such as hepatitis B and C, but its association with HIV is rarely reported. Lichenoid drug eruptions have been implicated as the side effects of anti-retroviral therapy. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to study demographics, clinical, histological, and immunological profile of the HIV patients presenting with lichenoid dermatitis. Subjects and Methods: HIV patients presenting with LP such as lesions were evaluated with complete history and physical examination. Demographic profile of patients was studied with features such as age, sex, duration of disease, distribution of the lesions, CD4 count, concomitant medications, associated comorbidities, and response to the treatment. Results: Twenty-one HIV patients presenting with LP such as lesions were studied. Of these, 20 patients had LP and one patient had lichenoid drug reaction. The age of the patient ranged from 40 to 60 years with no sex predilection. The duration of lesions ranged from 15 days to 7 years. Eleven patients had simultaneous cutaneous and oral involvement, five patients had only oral involvement and four patients of LP and one patient of lichenoid drug reaction had only cutaneous lesions. All the patients were on antiretroviral therapy, mainly on lamivudine, zidovudine, and nevirapine. Almost all the patients had CD4 count of more than 250 at the time of presentation. One patient was diagnosed to have lupus erythematosus and LP overlap. Patients were treated with oral medications such as corticosteroids, methotrexate, and dapsone and topical medications such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Conclusions: The appearance of LP such as lesions in HIV patients is a rare occurrence with 11 cases of LP reported till date. Our case series of 20 patients will throw light on possible etiology and difficulties in the management of LP such as lesions in HIV patients.

Management of Rhinophyma with Radio Frequency: Case Series of Three Patients.

Rhinophyma is the most common form of phymatous rosacea, typically seen in men. It may appear de novo (without preceding inflammatory changes) or occur in patients with preexisting papulopustular rosacea. It is characterized by slow, bulbous, reddish-purple, painless enlargement of lower two-third of nose with rugose peau d'orange surface resulting from the enlargement of the sebaceous glands and subcutaneous tissue, which does not resolve spontaneously. Though benign, it causes lot of cosmetic and psychological concern. Commonly used treatment modalities include debulking by surgical excision, electrosurgery, carbon dioxide laser ablation, cryosurgery, or dermabrasion. Here we report a case series of three patients with Grade 3 rosacea as per National Rosacea Society grading, treated by radio frequency with good improvement.

Metastatic Angiosarcoma of Lower Extremity.

Angiosarcoma (AS) is an uncommon malignant neoplasm characterized by rapidly proliferating, extensively infiltrating anaplastic cells derived from blood vessels. These are aggressive tumors and tend to recur locally, spread widely with high rate of lymph node and systemic metastases. They are more frequent in skin and soft tissue, head and neck being the most common sites. Here we report a case of metastatic AS affecting lower extremity in an elderly patient on a background of chronic lymphedema due to filariasis (Stewart-Treves syndrome).

A Study of Clinicopathological Correlation of Periorbital Hyperpigmentation.

CONTEXT: "Dark circles" are esthetic concerns that can affect individuals of any age, gender, or race. They can be familial, physiological, or associated with various medical illnesses. AIM: To study the clinicopathological correlation of periorbital hyperpigmentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients affected with periorbital melanosis (POM) were enrolled for the study after obtaining informed consent. Details regarding history, demographic data, and physical examination of POM were recorded, and a 2-mm punch skin biopsy was taken from the affected skin under local anesthesia and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), Fontana Masson (Melanin), Perls Prussian blue (Hemosiderin). RESULTS: Twenty-three (46%) patients with POM had history of chronic illness before developing POM; 18% patients were atopic, 16% had jaundice, 18% had associated pigmentary demarcation lines (PDL) of type F and G, 8% had acanthosis nigricans, 22% patients had anemia, 16% patients gave positive family history of POM, and menstrual irregularity was seen in 16%. Histopathology revealed dermal melanin deposition with melanophages along with predominantly increased epidermal melanin and melanin in vellus follicular epithelium. Prussian blue for hemosiderin was negative in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The study has elicited the multifactorial origin of POM; females are affected more than males. Dermal melanin deposition is a constant feature. Hemosiderin is not found in POM. Increased pigmentation of the vellus follicular epithelium is a feature of POM.

Surgical Management of Onychopapilloma, Onychomatricoma, and Subungual Osteochondroma: Case Series.

The clinical diagnosis of benign and malignant nail tumors can be difficult. Dermoscopy can provide a clue to the diagnosis but nail biopsy is the gold standard in establishing the diagnosis. Here, we report three cases of rare nail tumors, that is, onychopapilloma, onychomatricoma, and subungual osteochondroma, which were diagnosed on histopathology and managed surgically.

Case series of genital tuberculosis.

Genital tuberculosis (TB) is a rare, comprising <0.5% cases of extrapulmonary TB. Among cases of genitourinary TB, glandular TB is even rarer. Its a diagnosis of exclusion. Most patients present later in the course of disease due to the associated stigma in view of site of involvement and the hesitancy on the patients's part. We saw two such cases of nonhealing genital ulcers in immunocompetent males.

Photodynamic therapy in dermatology.

Photodynamic therapy is a new modality of therapy being used for the diagnosis and treatment of many tumors. It is now being increasingly used for skin tumors and other dermatological disorders. With its range of application it is certainly the therapy of the future. Its mechanism of action is by the Type II photo-oxidative reaction. The variables are the photosensitizer, the tissue oxygenation and the light source. It has been used to treat various disorders including Bowen's disease, actinic keratoses, squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, and mycosis fungoides. The side-effects are fortunately mild and transient. Newer photosensitizers like methyl aminolevulinate hold a lot of promise for better therapy.

Alterations in Lipid Metabolism and Antioxidant Status in Lichen Planus.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus (LP), a T-cell-mediated inflammatory disorder, wherein inflammation produces lipid metabolism disturbances, is linked to increase in cardiovascular (CV) risk with dyslipidemia. Increased reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides have also been implicated in its pathogenesis. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the status on lipid disturbances, oxidative stress, and inflammation in LP patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was initiated after obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee permission and written informed consent from participants. The study included 125 patients (74 LP patients and 51 age and sex-matched controls) visiting the outpatient clinic in the dermatology department of our hospital. Variables analyzed included lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT) activity. RESULTS: Analysis of lipid parameters revealed significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) along with decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in LP patients as compared to their respective controls. LP patients also presented with a significantly higher atherogenic index that is, (TC/HDL-C) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios than the controls. A significant increase in CRP levels was observed among the LP patients. There was a statistically significant increase in the serum levels of the lipid peroxidation product, MDA and a statistically significant decrease in CAT activity in LP patients as compared to their respective controls. A statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.96) was observed between serum MDA levels and duration of LP whereas a significantly negative correlation (r = -0.76) was seen between CAT activity and LP duration. CONCLUSION: Chronic inflammation in patients with LP may explain the association with dyslipidemia and CV risk. Our findings also suggest that an increase in oxidative stress and imbalance in the antioxidant defense mechanisms in LP may play a role in the pathogenesis of LP.

Factors affecting the duration of phase I of dexamethasone - cyclophosphamide pulse therapy.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse (DCP) therapy for the pemphigus group of disorders by Pasricha has revolutionized the therapy for pemphigus. There are very few studies regarding factors affecting duration of phase I of the DCP. AIMS: Our purpose was to study the relationship between various factors and duration of the phase I. METHODS: A retrospective study of 98 patients of pemphigus on Dexamethasone Pulse therapy was conducted. Patients were classified according to duration of Phase 1 as those with phase I less than 6 months and those more than 6 months and analyzed for variable factors affecting duration of phase I. RESULTS: Disease severity in pemphigus significantly prolonged the duration of phase I of DCP. Longer duration was also observed in patients on concurrent oral steroid therapy (both statistically significant). CONCLUSION: The findings from our study help us to address patient expectations and apprehensions regarding duration of therapy. A detailed understanding of the various patient and disease related factors responsible for affecting Phase I duration will help in better management of the patient, and the disease.

Stewart-bluefarb acroangiodermatitis in a case of parkes-weber syndrome.

Stewart-Bluefarb acroangiodermatitis is the occurrence of pseudo-kaposiform changes with an underlying arterio-venous malformation. Parkes-Weber syndrome is a triad of arterio-venous malformation with varicose veins with bony and soft-tissue hypertrophy involving the extremity. A 13 year-old-female presented with ulcerated growth with bleeding episodes on right leg since past four years. A reddish discoloration over right leg was noticed at four years of age which remained unchanged until nine years of age, after which it showed rapid increase in size along with disproportionate increase in length and girth of right lower limb. Examination revealed hyperpigmented soft verrucous plaque over the right lower one-third of leg, along with presence of ulcers and dilated tortuous veins in the right lower leg with thrill and bruit over the right popliteal and inguinal region. A differential diagnosis of verrucous hemangioma and arterio-venous malformation with pseudo-kaposiform change was considered. Skin biopsy showed multiple fenestrated capillaries with perivascular lymphocyte infiltrate suggestive of capillary malformations. X-ray showed osteolytic defect in right tibia. Duplex ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of right leg showed multiple fast flowing small and medium sized arterio-venous malformations of small to moderate size. Thus, on the basis of clinical and radiological features, we made a diagnosis of Stewart-Bluefarb type of acroangiodermatitis with Parkes-Weber syndrome. She was managed conservatively with compression stockings.

Epidemiological pattern of psoriasis, vitiligo and atopic dermatitis in India: Hospital-based point prevalence.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of the prevalence of common dermatoses will be useful for optimum use of valuable resources of the country. AIM: The aim of the study is to determine the pattern and prevalence of psoriasis, vitiligo and atopic dermatitis (AD) in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a hospital-based study conducted on a single day in one medical college each in four zones of India. RESULTS: The point prevalence of dermatological cases was 9.25%. The point prevalence of psoriasis, vitiligo and AD were 8%, 9.98% and 6.75% respectively. Chronic plaque type psoriasis was the most common (50%) clinical pattern. The most common site of involvement of psoriasis was the palms. Stable type of vitiligo was common which accounted for 65.21%. Lower lip was involved in 75% of mucosal vitiligo. Lower limbs were the most common site of onset of vitiligo. AD was most prevalent in the first decade (40.7%). Personal history of atopy was present in (59.5%) patients. Dry skin was present in 92.5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data correlates with previous hospital-based prevalence studies of psoriasis, vitiligo and AD.