A Novel Presentation of Cutaneous Angiosarcoma: A Case Report and Review.

We report a case of a 70-year-old male, with slowly widening induration, ulceration, and oozing for 3 months on the scalp and face. The diagnosis of aggressive cutaneous angiosarcoma was made on histopathology and immunochemistry from the biopsy material from the involved area of the skin.

Comparison of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser alone versus its combination with ultrapulse CO2 laser for the treatment of black tattoo.

BACKGROUND: Q-switched lasers are conventionally used for the treatment of black tattoo. However, they require multiple sittings, and the response may be slow due to competing epidermal pigment in dark skin. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser alone with its combination with ultrapulse CO2 for the removal of black tattoo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with black tattoo were randomized into two groups viz., group A and group B. Group A was treated with QS Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) alone, and group B received combination of ablative ultrapulse CO2 followed by fixed-dose QS Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm), at 6-week interval for a maximum of 6 sittings. After each sitting, 3 independent physicians noted percentage of improvement that was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and grading system for tattoo ink lightening (TIL). RESULTS: Combination laser (group B) showed statistically significant improvement in mean VAS score in the last 2 noted visits as compared to 1st session (p < 0.007, p < 0.001) and TIL mean score in last three noted visits as compared to 1st session (p < 0.008, p < 0.020, and p < 0.004). There was no statistically significant difference in the side effect profile of both the groups. CONCLUSION: For refractory professional tattoos, combination of ultrapulse CO2 laser and QS Nd:YAG laser is superior to QS Nd:YAG laser alone.

Linear adamantinoid basal cell carcinoma in the axilla.

We present a case of asymptomatic deeply pigmented linear plaque with rolled borders that we encountered in an elderly Indian male over a sun protected site, the left axilla. The diagnosis of linear adamantinoid basal cell carcinoma was confirmed on histopathological examination.

IFN-γ signaling maintains skin pigmentation homeostasis through regulation of melanosome maturation.

Cellular homeostasis is an outcome of complex interacting processes with nonlinear feedbacks that can span distinct spatial and temporal dimensions. Skin tanning is one such dynamic response that maintains genome integrity of epidermal cells. Although pathways underlying hyperpigmentation cascade are recognized, negative feedback regulatory loops that can dampen the activated melanogenesis process are not completely understood. In this study, we delineate a regulatory role of IFN-γ in skin pigmentation biology. We show that IFN-γ signaling impedes maturation of the key organelle melanosome by concerted regulation of several pigmentation genes. Withdrawal of IFN-γ signal spontaneously restores normal cellular programming. This effect in melanocytes is mediated by IFN regulatory factor-1 and is not dependent on the central regulator microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. Chronic IFN-γ signaling shows a clear hypopigmentation phenotype in both mouse and human skin. Interestingly, IFN-γ KO mice display a delayed recovery response to restore basal state of epidermal pigmentation after UV-induced tanning. Together, our studies delineate a new spatiotemporal role of the IFN-γ signaling network in skin pigmentation homeostasis, which could have implications in various cutaneous depigmentary and malignant disorders.