Dermoscopic spectrum of mycosis fungoides: a retrospective observational study by the International Dermoscopy Society.

BACKGROUND: The dermoscopic features of classic patch stage mycosis fungoides (MF) have been described, but data on plaque and tumoral stage as well as rarer MF subtypes is limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dermoscopic morphology and dermoscopic-pathological correlations of classic MF stages and investigate dermoscopic features of MF variants. METHODS: Patients with histopathologically confirmed lesions of classic MF (patch, plaque and tumoral stage) or folliculotropic, erythrodermic and poikilodermatous MF were included. Standardized evaluation of dermoscopic pictures of the included MF variants and comparative analysis and dermoscopic-pathological correlation assessment of different stages of classic MF were performed. RESULTS: A total of 118 instances were included (75 classic MF, 26 folliculotropic MF, 9 erythrodermic MF and 8 poikilodermatous MF). Linear/linear-curved vessels and white scales in the skin furrows were significantly associated with patch-stage MF, while clustered dotted vessels were related to plaque-stage MF and peripheral linear vessels with branches, ulceration and red globules separated by white lines to tumour-stage MF. Moreover, patchy white scales were significantly more common in patches and plaques compared to tumours, whereas focal bright white structureless areas were related to plaque and tumoral stage. Vessels histopathologically corresponded to dilated vascular structures in the dermis, orange structureless areas to either dermal hemosiderin (patch/plaque stage) or dense cellular infiltration (tumours), bright white lines/structureless areas to dermal fibrosis and ulceration to loss of epidermis. The main dermoscopic findings of folliculotropic MF were lack of hairs, dilated follicles and follicular plugs, while erythrodermic MF was mainly characterized by linear/dotted vessels, patchy white scales and focal orange structureless areas and poikilodermatous MF by focal white and brown structureless areas, white patchy scales and brown reticular lines. CONCLUSION: Dermoscopy may allow a more precise characterization of classic MF and reveal clues suggestive of the main MF variants.

Dermatoscopy of combined blue nevi: a multicentre study of the International Dermoscopy Society.

BACKGROUND: Combined blue nevi (CBN) may mimic melanoma and are relatively often biopsied for diagnostic reasons. OBJECTIVE: To better characterize CBN and to compare it with melanoma. METHODS: We collected clinical and dermatoscopic images of 111 histologically confirmed CBN and contrasted their dermatoscopic characteristics with 132 partly blue coloured melanomas. Furthermore, we compared the accuracy of human experts using pattern analysis with a computer algorithm based on deep learning. RESULTS: Combined blue nevi are usually flat or slightly elevated and, in comparison with melanoma, more frequent on the head and neck. Dermatoscopically, they are typified by a blue structureless part in combination with either brown clods (n = 52, 46.8%), lines (n = 28, 25.2%) or skin-coloured or brown structureless areas (n = 31, 27.9%). In contrast with melanoma, the blue part of CBN is more often well defined (18.9% vs. 4.5%, P < 0.001) and more often located in the centre (22.5% vs. 5.3%, P < 0.001). Melanomas are more often chaotic (OR: 28.7, 95% CI: 14.8-55.7, P < 0.001), have at least one melanoma clue (OR: 10.8, 95% CI: 5.2-22.2 P < 0.001) in particular white lines (OR: 37.1, 95% CI: 13.4-102.9, P < 0.001). Using simplified pattern analysis (chaos and clues), two raters reached sensitivities of 93.9% (95% CI: 88.4-97.3%) and 92.4% (95% CI: 86.5-96.3%) at corresponding specificities of 59.5% (95% CI: 49.7-68.7%) and 65.8% (95% CI: 56.2-74.5%). The human accuracy with pattern analysis was on par with a state-of-the-art computer algorithm based on deep learning that achieved an area under the curve of (0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.96) and a specificity of 85.3% (95% CI: 76.5-91.7%) at a given sensitivity of 83.6% (95% CI: 72.5-91.5%). CONCLUSION: CBN usually lack melanoma clues, in particular white lines. The accuracy of pattern analysis for combined nevi is acceptable, and histopathologic confirmation may not be necessary in exemplary cases.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy in mycosis fungoides.

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal photo-chemotherapy (ECP, photopheresis) is an approved treatment modality for mycosis fungoides (MF). Our aim is to present our ECP data for MF. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 50 MF patients who received ECP for clinical activity, toxicity, and response and outcome rates, and we compared these with combination therapies. RESULTS: The overall response rate (ORR) was 42% (21/50), while the median time to response was 11months (range, 3-48months). Ten of the responders (48%) had 3 or more treatment lines prior to ECP. Eight patients (16%) had adverse events related to ECP. The overall survival (OS) of 50 patients was 72months (range, 3-211). There was no statistically significant difference in the OS in early-stage vs late-stage patients (77 vs 69months, P=0.077). The stage 3 and 4 patients received an average of 31 cycles compared to 55 cycles in stage 1 and 2 patients (P=0.006). The increased extent of ECP was not correlated with the response. Combined treatment with ECP significantly improved the OS (84months vs 62months, P=0.005). DISCUSSION: A low frequency of side effects and improved OS observed in combination therapy makes ECP a favorable option for treating MF.

Black hairy tongue after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: an unrecognized cutaneous presentation of graft-versus-host disease.

Black hairy tongue (BHT) is an unusual condition in adults characterized by marked accumulation of keratin on the dorsum of the tongue, resulting in a hair-like appearance. Herein, we have described 15 patients developing BHT after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). BHT was generally accompanied by other cutaneous manifestations of cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or a precursor of GVHD. Our experience in this series emphasized that histopathologic evaluation is required for seemingly harmless eruptions like BHT in the posttransplantation period. Given the important prognostic implications of GVHD, physicians should be careful when confronted with BHT.

Dermatoscopy of flat pigmented facial lesions: diagnostic challenge between pigmented actinic keratosis and lentigo maligna.

BACKGROUND: The similarity between clinical pictures of pigmented actinic keratosis (PAK) and lentigo maligna (LM) is well known. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the frequency of dermatoscopic findings suggestive of LM/lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) in the other facial pigmented skin lesions (FPSL) and to assess the distinguishing dermoscopic criteria of PAK and LM. METHODS: Eighty-nine FPSL were evaluated with conventional dermatoscopy. The lesions showing one or more dermatoscopic features considered as specific patterns for the diagnosis of LM/LMM, mainly slate-grey to black dots and globules, slate-grey areas, annular-granular pattern, asymmetrical pigmented follicular openings, black blotches, rhomboidal structures, hyperpigmented rim of follicular openings, slate-grey streaks and dark streaks, were included in the study selectively. RESULTS: PAK was diagnosed in 67, LM or LMM in 20 and lichen planus-like keratosis in two lesions, histopathologically. Eleven essential dermatoscopic features were observed in facial PAK: slate-grey dots (70%); annular-granular pattern (39%); rhomboidal structures (36%); pseudonetwork (36%); black globules (34%); slate-grey globules (33%); black dots (30%); asymmetrical pigmented follicular openings (25%); hyperpigmented rim of follicular openings (21%); slate-grey areas (18%); and streaks (3%). CONCLUSIONS: PAK has a striking similarity to LM/LMM in clinical and dermatoscopic features, thus representing a diagnostic challange. All dermatoscopic findings except black blotches were observed in PAK. As dermatoscopic diagnosis of a pigmented skin lesion cannot be based on the presence of a single criterion, we may conclude that histopathology still remains the gold standard for correct diagnosis.

Nailfold capillary abnormalities are prevalent in sclerodermoid graft-versus-host disease and readily detected with dermatoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Well-recognized videocapillaroscopic patterns have been described in systemic sclerosis (SS). However, no studies have described the capillary abnormalities of sclerodermoid chronic graft-versus-host disease (Scl GVHD) developed after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to find the characteristics of nailfold capillary changes in Scl GVHD after allo-HSCT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients affected by Scl GVHD and a control group of 15 patients with lichenoid GVHD were evaluated. Duration and type of sclerodermoid GVHD, Raynaud phenomenon (RP), dysphagia, joint contractures, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-Scl-70 and anticentromere (ACA) antibodies were investigated parameters. A nailfold capillary examination using a standard dermatoscope was performed on all fingers of each subject. RESULTS: Twelve patients were male and six were female with a mean age of 37 +/- 11.6 years. Joint retractions and dysphagia developed in 27.8% and 38.9% of the patients, respectively. Three (16.7%) patients had RP. Autoimmune markers like anti-Scl-70 and ACA were negative in all. Capillaroscopy was abnormal in 15 patients with Scl GVHD. A regular disposition of the capillary loops along with avascular whitish linear areas at the level of the last row, neovascularization with reticular pattern, capillary disorganization, haemorrhages, enlarged capillaries and avascular areas were the main features. No capillary abnormalities were observed in patients with lichenoid GVHD. There was no statistically significant correlation between ANA positivity, RP, joint retractions, dysphagia, extensiveness of Scl GVHD, duration of sclerodermoid lesions and nailfold capillaroscopy analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the identification of distinct nailfold capillaroscopy patterns in patients with Scl GVHD but it does not confer special risk for any other specific clinical symptoms of the disease.

Postirradiation linear morphoea.

Postirradiation morphoea is an uncommon side-effect of radiotherapy. We report a 74-year-old woman who was treated with radiotherapy for endometrial carcinoma. About 3.5 years after the first dose of radiotherapy, the patient developed linear morphoea starting from the radiation port and affecting distant, nonirradiated skin. Lesions of radiation-induced morphoea are generally described as well-demarcated, indurated plaques with varying amounts of associated erythema; however, there is no previous publication of unilateral band-like distribution of morphoea associated with radiotherapy, to our knowledge.

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis induced by interferon-alpha 2a.

Linear Ig A bullous dermatosis (LABD) is an acquired autoimmune subepidermal blistering disorder with linear deposits of IgA along the basement membrane zone. Its cause is unclear, although it appears to have an immune-mediated basis. Idiopathic, systemic disorder-related, and rarely drug-induced forms of LABD have been described. We describe a case of LABD associated with interferon-alpha 2A used for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Calibre persistent labial artery: clinical features and noninvasive radiological diagnosis.

Calibre persistent labial artery (CPLA) is defined as a primary arterial branch that penetrates into the submucosal tissue without division or decrease in diameter. It usually presents as an asymptomatic papule on the lower lip and can be easily misdiagnosed as a varix, haemangioma, venous lake, mucocele or fibroma. When it is ulcerated, squamous cell carcinoma is the most usual differential diagnosis. The most frequently used method to confirm the diagnosis of CPLA has been excisional biopsy, which carries the risk of profuse bleeding. Angiography, another invasive method, has also been used. Here, we report a case of a 20-year-old woman with a 5-year history of multiple CPLA lesions involving both upper and lower lips. In this case, the diagnosis was made clinically and confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography, which is a noninvasive and simple diagnostic tool.