Immune checkpoint inhibitor associated epidermal necrosis, beyond SJS and TEN: a review of 98 cases.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies carry the risk of major immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Among the most severe irAEs is epidermal necrosis that may clinically mimic Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN). The aim of this study was to provide a summary of the clinical and histological features of ICI-associated epidermal necrosis, with a special focus on factors associated with fatal outcomes in cases of extensive disease. A total of 98 cases, 2 new cases and 96 reported on PubMed and in the literature, of ICI-associated epidermal necrosis were assessed. Development of epidermal necrosis occurred between 1 day and 3 years after starting ICI therapy, with an average onset of 13.8 weeks for patients with limited (< 30% BSA) and 11.3 weeks for those with extensive (≥ 30% BSA) involvement, and a median onset of 5.8 weeks and 4 weeks respectively. A preceding rash was seen in 52 cases and was more common in extensive cases. Mucosal involvement was only reported in 65% of extensive cases but was significantly associated with fatal reactions. Co-administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy was associated with more extensive disease. Recovery was observed in 96% and 65% of those with limited and extensive involvement respectively and no specific therapy was associated with improved survival. Young age was significantly associated with poor outcomes in extensive disease, the average age of surviving patients was 64.5 years old versus 55.1 years old for deceased patients, p < 0.01. Both superficial perivascular and interface/lichenoid inflammatory infiltrates were commonly seen. These findings suggest that ICI-associated epidermal necrosis should be considered a distinct clinical entity from drug-induced SJS/TEN.

Cutaneous Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection masquerading as sarcoidosis.

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAC) infection may have different skin manifestations, including cutaneous granulomas. Granulomatous skin reactions have distinct morphologic and histopathologic appearances. We present the case of an adolescent male with cutaneous MAC, misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis after initial biopsy results, demonstrated preservation of reticulin fibers and absence of organisms within granulomas. Sarcoidal granulomas often stain positive for reticulin fibers, which could be used to distinguish them from the infectious kind. This case should alert clinicians to the fact that the presence or quantity of intact reticular fibers may not be a reliable tool to differentiate between a sarcoidal and an infectious granuloma. Our case also highlights the diagnostic challenge of cutaneous MAC infection.

Squamoid Eccrine Ductal Carcinoma of the Eyelid: Clinicopathologic Correlation of a Case.

Squamoid eccrine ductal carcinoma (SEDC) is a rare cutaneous neoplasm that often manifests as a plaque or nodule in sun-exposed areas of older patients. Herein, the authors report the first case of SEDC in the eyelid. A 76-year-old man presented with a 2.5 × 1.5 mm area of left upper eyelid erythema, thickening, ulceration, and scaling with madarosis superotemporally just above the lash line. Full-thickness wedge biopsy demonstrated irregular epithelial tubules with nuclear atypia and focal squamous differentiation, consistent with SEDC. The patient underwent Mohs resection and has had no recurrence approximately 27 months after surgical removal. The authors present this case to raise awareness of SEDC to ophthalmologists as all previous cases have been described in the nonophthalmic literature. A full-thickness biopsy is recommended to avoid misdiagnosing SEDC as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a less aggressive tumor. With greater awareness, there may be increased recognition of this likely underreported, more malignant entity.

What's eating you? blister beetles revisited.

Blister beetles are a group of insects that include the Meloidae, Oedemeridae, and Staphylinidae families. The most well-known family, Meloidae, has more than 200 species known for causing a blistering dermatitis in humans by emitting the substance cantharidin, which has been pharmacologically used as a vesicant and can cause deleterious effects if ingested. Most recently, blister beetles have been studied for their anticancer properties.

Imported fire ant envenomation: A clinicopathologic study of a recognizable form of arthropod assault reaction.

BACKGROUND: Skin reactions to the sting of the imported fire ant have characteristic clinicopathological features. METHODS: One case of experimental envenomation was prospectively followed during 48 hours, with biopsies. In addition, 6 cases from our laboratory were retrospectively evaluated histopathologically for the following features: spongiosis, exocytosis (and type of cells), pustule formation, erosion/ulceration, epidermal necrosis, scale/crust, papillary dermal edema, inflammatory dermal infiltrate (cell type, density, depth, distribution, shape), red blood cell extravasation, vasculopathy and vasculitis. RESULTS: The typical lesion follows a very distinctive clinical and histopathologic evolution over 48 hours, with the formation of a subepidermal pustule overlying a wedge-shaped area of dermal collagen basophilic degeneration with scattered neutrophils. In the 6 cases retrieved from our files, the main features were a superficial and deep dermal, perivascular, periadnexal and interstitial infiltrate consisting of neutrophils, with basophilic degeneration of the collagen. A subepidermal pustule was noted in half of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: In biopsies taken in a clinical setting, even in the absence of the characteristic subepidermal pustule, the diagnosis of imported fire ant sting can be suspected if there is a superficial and deep perivascular, periadnexal and interstitial infiltrate composed of neutrophils, with some basophilic denaturation of collagen.

Phaeohyphomycosis due to Exophiala infections in solid organ transplant recipients: Case report and literature review.

This case report and literature review underscores the cutaneous presentations of phaeohyphomycosis in the solid organ transplant population. Increased cognizance with prompt identification is critical. The therapy and clinical outcomes of phaeohyphomycosis, caused by the Exophiala genus, in the solid organ transplant population, is analyzed to examine optimal care. This review highlights the inherent difficulties in providing the appropriate duration of antifungal therapy to avoid relapsing infections in immunosuppressed patients.

Dark homogeneous streak dermoscopic pattern correlating with specific KIT mutations in melanoma.

IMPORTANCE: Mutations driving melanoma growth have diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications. Traditional classification systems do not correlate optimally with underlying melanoma growth-promoting mutations. Our objective was to determine whether unique dermoscopic growth patterns directly correlate with driving mutations. OBSERVATIONS: We evaluated common driving mutations in 4 different dermoscopic patterns (rhomboidal, negative pigmented network, polygonal, and dark homogeneous streaks) of primary cutaneous melanomas; 3 melanomas per pattern were tested. Three of the 4 patterns lacked common mutations in BRAF, NRAS, KIT, GNAQ, and HRAS. One pattern, the dark homogeneous streaks pattern, had unique KIT mutations in the second catalytic domain of KIT in exon 17 for all 3 samples tested. Two tumors with the dark homogeneous streaks pattern turned out to be different primary melanomas from the same patient and had different sequence mutations but had an impact on the same KIT domain. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: While future study is required, these results have multiple implications. (1) The underlying melanoma-driving mutations may give rise to specific dermoscopic growth patterns, (2) BRAF/NRAS mutations in early melanomas may not be as common as previously thought, and (3) patients may be predisposed to developing specific driving mutations giving rise to melanomas or nevi of similar growth patterns.

Subcutaneous (deep) fungal infections.

Fungal infection is a common clinical problem in dermatology. While most cases in practice are superficial infections, invasive subcutaneous mycoses are important to recognize and treat, as these conditions often have significant morbidity and mortality. Deep fungi demonstrate species-specific syndromes and may be identified by clinical and histological features in addition to serological evaluation and culture. Identification of the common innoculation subcutaneous mycoses, as well as those associated with pulmonary primary infection and dissemination to the skin is important, as treatments vary by organism and clinical setting. This overview will help to identify the key dermatological presentations of subcutaneous fungal infection, and the clues they give to cause.

Purely cutaneous rosai-dorfman disease with immunohistochemistry.

BACKGROUND: The cutaneous form of Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare entity that manifests solely with skin papules or nodules and does not present with the usual myriad of symptoms of classical RDD. AIMS: To analyze the most recent publications regarding cutaneous RDD to point out updated, relevant aspects regarding future directions for clinical recognition and management. To identify histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings in skin lesions that permit diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a case of a gentleman with a history of multiple lipomas with a new solitary nodule on physical exam; microscopic examination shows the typical findings of RDD with the associated diagnostic immunohistochemical profile, as well as the expected finding of histiocytes engulfing other intact inflammatory cells. RESULTS: Our patient was managed with surgical excision of the entire lesion, one of the several available treatment options. Long-term follow-up 2 years later did not reveal any complications, recurrences, or new lesions. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of cutaneous RDD is differentiated from other histiocytic conditions by the combination of clinical findings accompanied by histopathologic and immunohistochemical confirmation.

Atypical form of transient reactive papulotranslucent acrokeratoderma in a cystic fibrosis carrier.

We report the first documented case of an atypical form of transient reactive papulotranslucent acrokeratoderma (TRPA) in a patient heterozygous for the ΔF508 CFTR(cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) mutation. TRPA represents a condition that classically presents with translucent to white plaques that become evident after water exposure. An atypical form with persistent lesions has also been described. Our patient is a 16-year-old girl with small, white papules coalescing into pebbly plaques on the palms. This condition is exacerbated after 5-10 min of water exposure and is associated with discomfort. The skin biopsy showed expanded stratum corneum, orthohyperkeratosis and dilation of eccrine ducts consisting with TRPA. A cystic fibrosis carrier state, barrier function defect, hyperhidrosis and the intake of cyclooxygenase inhibitors may have been pathogenic factors in our patient.

Coma blisters in two postoperative patients.

Coma blisters are self-limited cutaneous bullae that occur in the setting of loss of consciousness because of a drug, illness, or accident, with the most common settings being barbiturate overdose and neurological disorders. The etiology behind coma blisters is poorly understood and is not related to underlying infections or autoimmune conditions. The clinical presentation consists of bullae, erosions, and violaceous plaques usually involving sites of pressure. The skin lesions usually occur within 48-72 hours of the start of a coma and resolve within 2-4 weeks. We present one case of a 5-month-old infant with severe valvular disease who required surgical repair. He was placed on extra corporeal membrane oxygenation and developed multiple tense coma blisters during the course of therapy. Skin biopsy revealed a noninflammatory subepidermal blister with necrosis of the overlying epidermis and necrosis of the eccrine ducts. We also present a second case of an 18-year-old female patient who underwent surgical resection of a benign mandibular tumor. She subsequently developed bullae on both arms 4 days after surgery. The skin biopsy showed a necrotic epidermis, a subepidermal blister, and diffuse necrosis of the eccrine coils.