[Skin ageing-General features of facial ageing and therapeutic choices]. / Vieillissement cutané ­ Vieillissement facial global : orientation thérapeutique.

Correction of cutaneous and facial ageing is the key reason for consultations in aesthetic dermatology. This demand on the part of patients, which has become a social phenomenon, has increased thanks to the remarkable progress made in nonsurgical and less invasive therapies such as lasers, botulinum toxin and fillers. But in order to optimise their use and to provide a personalised touch, since each face ages differently, an overall facial analysis, both static and dynamic, is essential. Indeed, ageing is obviously not restricted to skin but also concerns underlying tissue such as muscle, fat tissue and supporting bone. In this article, we provide a clinical and physiopathological analysis of the ageing of skin and of the various types of ageing, whether chronological, hormonal or environmental, and we examine the major role played by UV radiation, as well as tobacco smoke and, in certain cases, pollution. The description of cutaneous ageing covers not only the face, in which photoaging is the predominant factor, but also ageing of skin throughout the rest of the body. Next we describe the general modes of facial ageing for the subcutaneous structures, first those of the skin muscles, which compensate for their atrophy by means of permanent hypercontraction that result in dynamic wrinkles, then those of fat tissue in which ptosis can occur, coupled in some cases with atrophy and loss of the fullness and harmonious facial curves of youth, and those of supporting bone structures and preferential areas of resorption, which are also where the most pronounced ageing of soft tissue is discernible. The upper third, middle and lower third of the face do not age in the same way and the relevant methods of correction thus differ. Finally, we briefly discuss the therapeutic choices available, taking into account the generally extremely reasonable expectations of patients, who tend to seek moderate and natural rejuvenation in keeping with their personality, as well as the elimination of negative expressions associated with ageing, and who want neither a rigid face nor aesthetic cloning.

[Skin aging: clinicopathological features and mechanisms]. / Vieillissement cutané: aspects cliniques, histologiques et physiopathologiques.

Skin aging various considerably between individuals and depends on intrinsic factors such as age, oestrogen deficiency during menopause, and on extrinsic factors such as exposure to UV light and tobacco addiction. The clinical and histological characteristics of these different types of aging are described as well as the principle highly complex mechanisms that are involved. Treatment for skin aging has become the main reason why patients consult in cosmetic dermatology. For this reason, dermatologist should know how to analyse this condition and offer suitable therapeutic care that takes into account the aging of the subcutaneous tissue.

[Ablative and fractional lasers]. / Lasers ablatifs et lasers fractionnels.

The use of pulsed or scanning Carbon Dioxide, and pulsed Erbium-YAG lasers allows the programmable and reproducible photocoagulation of thin layers of the epidermis and superficial dermis. Thermal damage depends on the type of laser and is greater with CO(2) lasers. The degree of neocollagenesis is proportional to the thermal damage and is better with CO(2) lasers. Their main indication is the correction of photoaged facial skin but they can also be used for corrective dermatology, e.g. for scars and genodermatosis. Results are highly satisfactory but the technique is invasive and the patient experiences a social hindrance of around two weeks. Fractionated techniques treat 25% of the defective skin area at each session in noncontiguous microzones; four sessions are therefore necessary to treat the entire cutaneous surface. The treatment is given under topical anesthesia and is much less invasive, particularly with nonablative fractional laser treatment in which photothermolysis does not penetrate below the epidermis and/or the effects are slight, with no or very little social isolation. However, the results are much less satisfactory than the results of ablative laser and there is no firming effect. Other zones than the face can be treated. With the fractional CO(2) and Erbium ablative lasers, which have multiplied over the past 2 years, the much wider impacts cause perforation of the epidermis and there is a zone of ablation by laser photovaporization, with a zone of thermal damage below. The results are better in correcting photoaging of the face, without, however, achieving the efficacy of ablative lasers, which remain the reference technique. However, the effects are not insignificant, requiring at least 5 days of social isolation.

[What's new in aesthetic dermatology: filler and laser treatments]. / Quoi de neuf en dermatologie esthétique : comblement et lasers.

In esthetic dermatology, filling and laser treatments are two essential techniques. Several recent studies on calcium hydroxyapatite in filling treatments and facial volumetry, in esthetics, but also in HIV patients, have been published. It was also tested in accentuated melomental folds where it is superior to hyaluronic acid. In aging of the skin of the dorsal aspect of the hands, hyaluronic acid provides slightly better results than collagen. Filler rhinoplasty can correct minor deformations of the nose. Lipofilling is advantageous for linear scleroderma of the face, at least in the forehead region, and adipocyte stem cells may be a future solution for facial aging or lipoatrophy. The risk of local and/or general sarcoid reactions related to interferon in patients having undergone filling injections has been reported. In the field of laser treatment, fractionated photothermolysis has motivated much more research and seem particularly valuable in treating acne scars, aging of the dorsal aspect of the hands, and, more anecdotally, in colloid milium and pearly penile papules. Laser is also useful in preventing surgical scars where a mini-diode can also be used. For axillary hyperhidrosis, subdermic Nd-YAG laser competes with botulinum toxin, with longer-lasting results. Solutions are appearing for treatment of red or white striae cutis distensae. Intense pulsed light is the reference technique for poikiloderma of Civatte, and seems effective, with new devices, for melasma. However, inappropriately used by nonphysicians, IPL can cause serious ocular accidents; one case of uveitis has been reported.

[Skin aging: clinicopathological features and mechanisms]. / Vieillissement cutané : Aspects cliniques, histologiques et physiopathologiques.

Skin aging various considerably between individuals and depends on intrinsic factors such as age, oestrogen deficiency during menopause, and on extrinsic factors such as exposure to UV light and tobacco addiction. The clinical and histological characteristics of these different types of aging are described as well as the principle highly complex mechanisms that are involved. Treatment for skin aging has become the main reason why patients consult in cosmetic dermatology. For this reason, dermatologist should know how to analyse this condition and offer suitable therapeutic care that takes into account the aging of the subcutaneous tissue.

[Ablative and fractional lasers]. / Lasers ablatifs et lasers fractionnels.

The use of pulsed or scanning Carbon Dioxide, and pulsed Erbium-YAG lasers allows the programmable and reproducible photocoagulation of thin layers of the epidermis and superficial dermis. Thermal damage depends on the type of laser and is greater with CO(2) lasers. The degree of neocollagenesis is proportional to the thermal damage and is better with CO(2) lasers. Their main indication is the correction of photoaged facial skin but they can also be used for corrective dermatology, e.g. for scars and genodermatosis. Results are highly satisfactory but the technique is invasive and the patient experiences a social hindrance of around two weeks. The fractional techniques such as Fraxel are used to treat non-adjacent microzones without ablation of the epidermis. Around 25 p. 100 of the affected region is treated per session without ablation of the epidermis. Each fraction is only mini-invasive and is performed under local anesthesia. Social hindrance is minimal. Nonetheless, the results are inferior to those obtained with ablative lasers, especially regarding deep wrinkles. The treatment is costly and four sessions are usually required to treat the whole affected area. Others regions of the face may also be treated. Encouraging results have been obtained with mélasma.

[Cyclosporine-induced follicular eruption]. / Toxidermie folliculaire à la ciclosporine.

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine is one of the immunosuppressant agents most widely used in the prevention and treatment of organ transplant rejection and also in autoimmune diseases. Many cutaneous side effects have been described with oral cyclosporine, mainly in transplant recipients, for example, hypertrichosis, gingival hyperplasia and viral skin infections. Here, we report an unusual follicular eruption induced by this drug. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 22-year-old man presenting cystic fibrosis received a double-lung graft in January 2005. Six weeks later, he developed a subacute eruption of follicular papules, not highly pruritic, located mainly on the trunk, the extensor surfaces of the limbs and the face. Diagnosis of cyclosporine-induced follicular eruption was adopted on the basis of the histological and microbiological findings. Complete regression was obtained after switching to tacrolimus. DISCUSSION: Three similar cases were previously reported characterized by typical follicular changes different from those observed in hypertrichosis or pilar keratosis. This rare cutaneous side effect may be explained by the direct action of cyclosporine on the pilosebaceous unit: this drug is known to extend the anagen phase of the follicular cycle and to induce toxic follicular dystrophy at higher tissue concentrations. This particular toxicity is usually seen after many months of treatment. In our patient, the time to onset was shorter, probably due to occasionally excessive plasma concentrations.

Infection control practices and infectious complications in dermatological surgery.

The aim of this study was to assess infection control practices and their impact upon infectious complications in skin surgery conducted by private dermatologists. A prospective study was carried out by 73 volunteers belonging to the Surgical Group of the Société Française de Dermatologie over a period of three months. Data were collected for surgical procedures performed during this period, including the excision of all benign or malignant tumours, but excluding sebaceous cysts and pyodermas. A total of 3491 dermatological surgical procedures were included in the survey. Post-operative infections occurred in 67 patients (1.9%), with superficial suppuration accounting for 92.5% of surgical site infections. The incidence was higher in the excision group with a reconstructive procedure (4.3%) than in excisions alone (1.6%). Infection control precautions varied according to the site of procedure; multivariate analysis showed that haemorrhagic complications were an independent factor for infection in both types of surgical procedure. The male gender, immunosuppressive therapy and not wearing sterile gloves were independent factors for infections occurring following excisions with reconstruction. Not all of the procedures needed the use of a hospital theatre. It is clear that for excisions with a reconstructive procedure or for certain anatomical sites, such as the nose, there should be more emphasis upon infection control precautions. Further studies are needed to establish optimal guidelines for this kind of surgery.

[Childhood-onset multifocal atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma]. / Dermatofibrosarcome atrophique multifocal à début pédiatrique.

BACKGROUND: Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma is a rare clinical variant of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (or Darier-Ferrand tumor) preferentially observed in childhood and early adulthood. OBSERVATION: We report a case of multifocal atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of childhood onset only diagnosed when the patient was 29 years old. The clinical presentation was an asymptomatic macular brown plaque on the right thigh measuring 10 cm. Initially, because of the large size of the lesion, treatment consisted of limited surgical excision. DISCUSSION: Diagnosis of the atrophic variant of dermatofibrosarcoma in childhood is difficult, and is usually made several years later in early adulthood because of its slow development, lack of symptoms and generally benign appearance. Histological tests and immunohistochemical staining may confirm clinically suspected diagnosis, and in complex cases, cytogenetic studies can help confirm a diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma through detection of reciprocal translocation t (17,22), which fuses collagen type Ialpha1 (COLIA1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGDFbeta), and which is highly characteristic of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Conventional treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans consists of extensive surgical excision, but Mohs micrographic surgery is also advocated for removal of certain dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, while use of tyrosine kinase PDGF receptor inhibitors such as imatinib mesylate (Glivec) is limited to distant metastases.

A prospective study of the incidence of complications associated with dermatological surgery.

BACKGROUND: Dermatological surgery is a relatively new and expanding subspecialty within dermatology. Little information is available about complications in this kind of surgery in the European setting. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of anaesthetic, haemorrhagic and infectious complications in dermatological surgery and to highlight the factors associated with these complications. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively over a 3-month period for all surgical procedures performed by a network of dermatologists (n = 84 dermatologists) in France, including the excision of all benign or malignant tumours but excluding sebaceous cysts and pyodermas. Information was collected regarding dermatologists, patients, procedures and complications. RESULTS: A total of 3788 surgical procedures were available for review; 236 complications, mostly minor, occurred in a total of 213 surgical procedures (6%), bleeding being the most common (3%). Vaso-vagal syncope was the main anaesthetic complication (51 of 54). Infectious complications occurred in 79 patients (2%). Superficial suppuration accounted for 92% of surgical site infections. Only one patient had a systemic infection. Complications requiring additional antibiotic treatment or repeat surgery accounted for only 22 cases of 3788 (1%). No statistically significant correlation was found with the characteristics of the dermatologists, especially with respect to their training or amount of surgical experience. Similarly, no link could be established between complications and surgical conditions. Multivariate analysis showed that anaesthetic or haemorrhagic complications were independent factors for infectious complications. Sex, administration of an anticoagulant or immunosuppressant, type of procedure performed and duration exceeding 24 min were independent factors for haemorrhagic complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a low rate of complications associated with dermatological surgery performed by dermatologists under local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis.

[Polycythemia vera revealed by Wells syndrome]. / Maladie de Vaquez révélée par un syndrome de Wells.

BACKGROUND: Wells syndrome is an eosinophilic dermatosis that is mainly reported in association with infections or insect bites, and more rarely during haematological disorders. CASE REPORT: A 32 year-old woman presented several recurrent episodes of massive swelling and erythema papulo-nodular inflammatory plaques on the buttocks that spontaneously resolved. The biopsy revealed marked infiltration of the dermis with eosinophils suggesting Wells syndrome. Examination found an isolated hepatosplenomegaly with true polycythemia and a myeloproliferative disorder. The diagnosis of Vaquez disease was made. DISCUSSION: Wells syndrome is a distinctive disease entity with a wide polymorphism of clinical and histological features, unspecific, and varying depending on the age of the lesions. Various triggering factors are involved, but this syndrome may also reveal hematological disorders. Cutaneous manifestations often occur before the hematological diagnosis, but are frequently misdiagnosed. Only two other cases of Wells syndrome associated with Vaquez disease have been reported. Our case report underlined the importance of systematic research for an hemopathy in Wells syndrome, especially in young patients.

[Strip papular mucinosis associated with systemic sclerosis]. / Mucinose en bandes et sclérodermie systémique.

INTRODUCTION: Other than discreet infra-clinical mucinous deposits observed during many inflammatory dermatoses, clinically visible dermal mucinosis can sometimes be associated with collagenosis. It is usually lupus and very rarely scleroderma. In this case, no confusion with papular mucinosis must be made. CASE REPORT: A 51 year-old woman presented with infiltrated erythematous lesions in strips on the inner sides of the thighs and legs, associated with myalgia, arthralgia and puffy fingers. Mixed connective tissue disease was the initial diagnosis. The clinical picture was rapidly completed by sclerodactylia, telangiectasia, a Raynaud's syndrome and esophageal involvement leading to the diagnosis of CREST-type systemic scleroderma. The biopsy of the erythematous strip lesions revealed a dermal mucinosis. Treatment with hydroxychloroquine led to the regression of the mucinous lesions and the stabilization of the scleroderma, which, four years later, had not developed further. DISCUSSION: Dermal mucinosis can accompany lupus erythematosus, in rare cases dermatomyositis and, in exceptional cases, scleroderma. The clinical presentation varies with large infiltrated plaques, reticulated or papulo-nodular lesions. Conversely, strip lesions such as those observed in our patient have never been reported till now. The association of a localized dermal mucinosis and a scleroderma must not lead to the erroneous diagnosis of papular mucinosis of clearly differing prognosis. The occurrence of a mucinosis during collagenosis might be related to enhanced synthesis of mucin by the fibroblasts mediated by the inflammatory cytokines, increased in this context.

[Agranular CD4+ CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm: a new case report]. / Hématodermie CD4+ CD56+. Une nouvelle observation.

BACKGROUND: "Agranular CD4+ CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm" are rare hematologic neoplasms which were recently shown to correspond to the plasmocytoid dendritic cells. CASE REPORT: A 83-year-old presented isolated skin lesions purple, infiltrating the dermis. The biopsy has shown a dense dermal infiltration with malignant cells CD4+ CD56+ CD43+. There were no bone marrow involvement and no circulating blood cells. A chemotherapy permitted a clinical remission after six courses. Unfortunately, skin and blood relapses appear four months later. After a short success of chemotherapy by DHAP, the patient died three month later. DISCUSSION: "Agranular CD4+ CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm" is a distinct entity from the cutaneous primary lymphomas. Recently plasmocytoid monocyte cells have been identified as the precursor of the malignant population with the high expression of CD123, IL3 receptor. It is a distinct clinicopathologic entity by its clinical presentation with skin tropism, bone marrow involvement with or without leukemic phase and poor prognosis independent of the kind of treatment and its particular phenotype CD4+ CD56+ CD43+. It would be interesting to use antibodies linked to CD123 in therapeutic because any treatment have efficacity in this disease.

[Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma bullosa: 2 cases]. / Lymphome T bulleux: 2 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Since the first case described by Kaposi in 1887, bullous forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are extremely. CASE-REPORT: We describe an unusual case of mycosis fungoides bullosa with palmoplantar dyshidrosis-like eruption and, to our knowledge, the first case of pleomorphic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma bullosa. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma bullosa can be very misleading, particularly when the bullous lesions are inaugural. Differential diagnosis have to be excluded (autoimmune blistering diseases or contact dermatitis during topical treatment of lymphoma or bacterial or viral cutaneous infections) by biopsy, direct immunofluorescence and bacteriological examinations. In these cutaneous lymphoma bullosa, the blisters appear to de due to excessive epidermotropism and/or toxicity of the tumoral infiltrate.

Successful treatment with infliximab and methotrexate of pyostomatitis vegetans associated with Crohn's disease.

A 35-year-old woman with severe fistulizing Crohn's disease presented with pyostomatitis vegetans affecting both the mouth and the vulva. The coalescing pustules transformed within several days into vegetating lesions on areas of inflammation. Microbial assessments revealed no pathogenic agent. Histology showed neutrophilic microabscesses, but no granulomas. Three injections of infliximab and maintenance therapy with methotrexate resulted in rapid and complete regression of both the pyostomatitis vegetans and the Crohn's disease. Infliximab and methotrexate may be a promising treatment for the rare cases of pyostomatitis vegetans associated with Crohn's disease.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis during interferon alfa and ribavirin treatment of hepatitis C virus infection: two cases.

Interferon-induced sarcoidosis is well documented. We report two new cases of sarcoidosis in two patients with hepatitis C virus infection treated with interferon alfa and ribavirin. These patients developed cutaneous sarcoidosis about 3 months after the beginning of the combination therapy. Spontaneous regression of the lesions was noted after discontinuation of the treatment. There have been more than 20 observations of the appearance or aggravation of this granulomatosis with interferon alfa and more recently with the combination of interferon alfa plus ribavirin. Dermatological signs are found in 50% of cases, and are often diagnostic. Other clinical symptoms of sarcoidosis resemble side-effects of interferon. The evolution is fairly stereotypical and is marked by a regression of the lesions following a dose reduction or curtailment of interferon. Interferon alfa acts by stimulating the T-helper (Th) 1 immune response. In addition to its antiviral action, ribavirin also enhances the Th1 response. Indeed, the superiority of the combination of interferon alfa and ribavirin in terms of antiviral action is corroborated by the enhancement of a Th1-type immune reaction by this combination. At the same time, this immune cell reaction triggers a greater granulomatous reaction.

[Bullous localization of a lupus erythematosus induced by radiotherapy]. / Lupus érythémateux bulleux: rôle localisateur de la radiothérapie.

INTRODUCTION: Connective diseases induced or exacerbated by radiotherapy are not frequent. We report a particular erosive erythematosus lupus with lesions in the precise distribution of radiation therapy given for a breast cancer. OBSERVATION: An 80 year-old woman presented with painful erosive skin lesions of her breast which had been treated by irradiation 9 years before. The patient also had rheumatoid arthritis. A skin biopsy showed keratinocyte necrosis, acantholysis and a dermal lymphocytic infiltrate under the basal cell layer. Direct immunofluorescence showed granular deposition of IgG, IgM and C3 along the basal cell layer. Antinuclear antibodies were positive at a titre of 1: 1,000. Erythematosus lupus diagnosis was established and annular lesions secondarily appeared on her neck, back, and arms. A treatment with hydroxychloroquine and topical corticosteroïds was effective in 3 months. DISCUSSION: The unusual erosive lesions and their localization on a previously irradiated site suggest the role of X-rays in our observation, despite their late appearance after radiotherapy. Radiotherapy and erythematosus lupus affect the same target structures (basal cells and small dermal capillaries) and could have additive effects. The presence of rheumatoid arthritis in the past medical history may have exaggerated this complication.