A Comparative Study of Topical 5% 5-Fluorouracil with Needling versus 30% Trichloroacetic Acid with Needling in the Treatment of Plantar Warts.

BACKGROUND: Warts are benign proliferations of keratinocytes caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Plantar warts are caused by HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57. It is challenging to treat them due to frequent recurrences. AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical 5% 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) with needling versus 30% Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) with needling in the treatment of plantar warts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients of plantar warts were randomly allocated into two groups of 30 each and treated with either 30% TCA with needling or 5% 5-FU with needling once in four weeks, until complete clearance of warts or for a maximum of three sessions. Baseline clinical photographs were taken and subjective response at the end of treatment was recorded. Objective assessment at 4, 8, and 12 weeks was carried out and outcome was evaluated by reduction in number and size of warts. Adverse effects of each group were noted and compared. Follow-up of patients was done at 6 months for clinical assessment of results and to study recurrence. RESULTS: Out of 30 patients in 30% TCA group, 28 patients (93.33%) had complete response and 02 patients (6.66%) had partial response at the end of 12 weeks. In 5-FU group, 26 patients (86.66%) showed complete response, 02 patients (6.66%) had partial response, and 02 patients (6.66%) had no response to treatment. The mean reduction in size and number of warts was better in the TCA group and was significant at 4th week of follow up while at the end of 8th week and 12th week, the response was identical. There was no recurrence of warts in the complete responders at the end of 6 months. The main adverse effect seen in both groups was pain at the needling site. CONCLUSION: Needling with both topical 5% 5-FU and 30% TCA are highly effective in clearing plantar warts. However, 30% TCA has the advantage of early action and complete clearance of plantar warts with fewer adverse effects.

A Randomized Controlled Study Comparing the Efficacy of Topical 5% Tranexamic Acid Solution versus 3% Hydroquinone Cream in Melasma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Melasma is a common, relapsing, acquired, symmetrical facial hypermelanosis with no universally effective therapy. Hydroquinone (HQ) is considered the gold standard in the treatment of melasma till date. Tranexamic acid (TA) is an upcoming molecule being explored in melasma therapy and has shown optimistic results in preliminary trials. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of topical 5% TA solution with 3% HQ cream in the treatment of melasma in Indian skin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind study of 12 weeks' duration. Hundred eligible patients randomly divided into two intervention groups were analyzed after screening 346 patients with melasma. Serial photographs, Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI), and adverse effects were documented at monthly intervals. Patient satisfaction score was noted at the end of 12 weeks. A repeated measurement analysis of variance, independent t-test, and χ2 tests were used for statistical analysis. A P-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Our study population consisted of 84 females and 16 males. Mixed melasma had the highest prevalence (63%) followed by epidermal (22%) and dermal types (15%). Percentage reduction of MASI was 27% and 26.7% in the TA and HQ group, respectively, at the end of 12 weeks, and the difference between the two groups was not significant (P > 0.05). However, patient satisfaction score was significantly higher in TA group (P value = 0.03) in view of lesser adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Topical 5% TA solution is as effective as 3% HQ cream in melasma with enhanced patient satisfaction.

Comparative Evaluation of Topical 10% Potassium Hydroxide and 30% Trichloroacetic Acid in the Treatment of Plane Warts.

BACKGROUND: Warts are benign proliferations of skin and mucosa caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Plane warts are caused by HPV types 3, 10, 28, and 41, occurring mostly in children and young adults. Among the treatment modalities, topical application of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is age old. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) has a keratolytic effect on virus-infected cells. It is less irritating, less painful, less scar forming, and can be safely used in children too. Hence, it could be a better topical agent in the treatment of plane warts. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and efficacy of topical 10% KOH with 30% TCA in the treatment of plane warts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with plane warts were randomly assigned into two arms of thirty patients each; arm A received topical 10% KOH and arm B received topical 30% TCA as a once weekly application until the complete clearance of warts or a maximum period of 12 weeks. RESULTS: Statistically no significant difference (P = 0.07) was found between the objective therapeutic response to 10% KOH and 30% TCA at the end of study (12 weeks). However, subjective response to 10% KOH was better and statistically significant (P = 0.03). There was no recurrence of warts seen on follow-up for 3 months of complete responders in both the arms. CONCLUSION: 10% KOH is found to be equally effective in the treatment of plane warts compared to 30% TCA with the advantage of faster onset of action and tendency of completely clearing warts with fewer side effects.

An observational Study of the Association between Androgenetic Alopecia and Size of the Prostate.

INTRODUCTION: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by miniaturization of the hair follicle, leading to vellus transformation of the terminal hair follicle. It is caused by interactions between androgens, several genes, and environmental factors with hair follicles. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is highly prevalent among elderly men but infrequent in those younger than 40 years. Because both entities share a common pathogenesis and AGA manifests before the onset of BPH, there could be an association between AGA and BPH. AIM: To study the possible association between AGA and the size of prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive male patients, 35-65 years of age with AGA of Hamilton-Norwood classification Grades 3-7, were included in the study. AGA of Grades 1 and 2 patients on treatment with minoxidil, finasteride, or other treatments for AGA with history of prostate cancer or prostate disease were excluded from the study. Prostate size was measured through transabdominal ultrasonography. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS software. RESULTS: Of the 65 AGA patients, the mean age was 47.18 years. Grade 4 AGA was the most common grade seen in 19 patients (29.2%), out of which, most (47.4%) were in the 56-65 years age group. 52.3% patients had normal prostate volume, and 47.7% had an enlarged prostate. The percentage of patients with the normal and enlarged prostate in moderate Grade 3 AGA was 68.8% and 31.2%, and in severe Grade 6 AGA, it was 33.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Prostate enlargement was more likely to occur in severe AGA than in moderate AGA(odds ratio 3.311; P = 0.025, which is significant). CONCLUSION: This study revealed an increase in prostate size with increasing age, with higher prevalence of Grade 1 prostate enlargement in younger individuals, and with higher prevalence of Grade 3 prostate enlargement in elderly men. The study also found a positive correlation between AGA and prostate size, with higher grades of AGA having higher prostate volume.

Treatment of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria with a Single Dose of Omalizumab: A Study of Four Cases.

BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has a detrimental effect on patients' emotional and physical quality of life. Omalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin E humanized monoclonal antibody, has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of refractory chronic urticaria patients but may not be an economically viable option for all CSU patients. However, we present a case series where a single dose of omalizumab gave sustained relief of symptoms in patients with CSU, which may be an economical option. AIMS: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a single dose of omalizumab in the treatment of CSU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients of CSU whose disease was not controlled with four times the licensed dose of tablet fexofenadine 180 mg were exhibited one subcutaneous injection of omalizumab and were followed up at 4 weekly intervals for 24 weeks for Weekly Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). RESULTS: A sharp decline in UAS7 and DLQI was documented in 7-10 days. The decline was maintained up to 16 weeks in one case and 20 weeks in the other three cases. Both the scores at the end of the follow-up period of 24 weeks were better than the pre-omalizumab scores. CONCLUSION: The results of this case series indicate the efficacy of a single-dose omalizumab in treating moderate to severe refractory CSU. Further studies are required to identify the minimum frequency of administering omalizumab to effectively control CSU. This would greatly reduce the cost of this novel therapy.

Pattern of Dermatoses Among Nicobarese in a Community Health Camp at Nancowry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

BACKGROUND: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands to the east of the Indian mainland. The Nicobar district in its southern part includes the Nancowry group. Very little is known about the dermatoses in this remote region and hence, this study was carried out at a community medical camp held in Kamorta on November 12, 2014. AIMS: To study the pattern of dermatoses in Nicobarese attending a community medical camp at Nancowry. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All Nicobarese, predominantly mongoloid, attending a multi-specialty community medical camp at Kamorta on November 12, 2014, were initially seen by a general practitioner. Persons with dermatologic complaints or the presence of skin lesions were then seen by a single dermatologist. RESULTS: A total of 375 patients were seen. Out of these, 113 cases (30.13%) had a skin disorder. Females comprised 50.44% and males 49.56% of the cases. The mean age was 21.28 years. The most common dermatoses were infections and infestations comprising 53 cases (46.9%) of which fungal infections were seen in 25 cases (22.12%), pyodermas in 12 cases (10.62%), scabies in 9 cases (7.96%), warts in 4 cases (3.54%), 1 case each of molluscum contagiosum, herpes zoster, and pediculosis capitis (0.88%) followed by eczema in 20 cases (17.70%), acne in 13 cases (11.5%), papular urticaria in 9 cases (7.96%), and psoriasis in 3 cases (2.65%). Miscellaneous dermatoses made up the rest of the 15 cases (13.27%). CONCLUSION: The pattern of dermatoses seen among the Nicobarese is quite similar with respect to the prevalence of infections in other regions of India, especially humid regions such as Assam, coastal Karnataka, and Kolkata and much higher than arid regions such as the deserts of Rajasthan.

Purely cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting as an ulcer on the chin in an elderly man successfully treated with thalidomide.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare, clonal proliferative disorder of Langerhans' cells of unknown etiology. Although the clinical presentation and therapeutic approach to the disease in children have been well established; limited data is available about the disease in adults. Purely cutaneous involvement of LCH in a man older than 70 years has rarely been described. Herein we report the case of a 71-year-old man with cutaneous LCH confined to the perioral region, scalp, and flexures successfully treated with thalidomide.