Pyogenic Granuloma of the Proximal Part of a Nail Unit in a Child.

Dear Editor, We present a case of proximal pyogenic granuloma in 4-year-old child. The patient presented to our Department due to a fast-growing lesion on the proximal part of the nail unit. The lesion had appeared over several weeks, and it was extremely painful for the child. On the day of the 1st visit, the lesion was not bleeding but was very painful during examination and photo-documentation. Clinically, it presented as an exogenous tumoral lesion of the proximal 1/3 of the nail, partially exulcerated with one part exhibiting coagulated hemorrhage and with uneven coloration (Figure 1). The lesion was not sharply demarcated. Dermoscopically, the majority of the lesion presented an unspecific dermoscopic structure, orange background color, and matched the criteria for a vascular lesion: few unspecific vessels and hemorrhage. The "sticky fiber" sign was also present (Figure 2). Since the lesion was fast-growing and due to the unspecific dermoscopic appearance, the child was referred to a pediatric surgeon and a complete excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed. The dermoscopy of pyogenic granuloma has been already described (1). The histology report confirmed pyogenic granuloma. Pyogenic granulomas of the nail unit are not a common finding, but our case confirms that even this location can be site of this type of benign lesion. It more commonly found in the periungual region and can be expected due to adverse effects of different kinds of systemic therapies. However, due to differential diagnosis that includes different types of tumors occurring at the nail unit, most importantly amelanotic melanoma and SCC, it is suggested to excise or take a biopsy of this type of lesion to be able to exclude aggressive tumor types, which are very rare but not impossible the in pediatric population (2). In cases of unquestionable diagnosis, several local treatments are available. Since the lesion presented a destructive nature in our case, we decided to perform excisional biopsy followed by histology, which in our case was both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.

Association of Generalized Psoriasis and Mixed Glomerulonephritis in a 10-year-old Girl.

Generalized psoriasis and renal function disorder were previously described in sporadic adult cases, revealing a new entity - psoriatic nephropathy. So far there have been only two cases describing this association in children. We present and discuss a case of 10-year-old girl with the unique biopsy findings of double glomerulonephritis associated with the simultaneous onset of generalized psoriasis.

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa - the spectrum of complications.

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of inherited diseases that are characterized by skin and mucosal fragility and blister formation. A wide variety of extracutaneous manifestations can develop as well as various complications of the disease such as severe anemia, growth retardation, esophageal stenosis, mutilating deformities of hands and feet, glomerulonephritis leading to chronic renal failure, and many others. One of the most important and often occurring complications is the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas that grow and metastasize quickly. The objective of this paper is to give dermatologists a review of major complications encountered in patients with epidermolysis bullosa. Since these complications occur so often and can be considered to be part of the clinical picture, it is mandatory to develop a multidisciplinary well-educated team involved in follow-up and treatment of these patients.

[Treatment of langerhans cell histiocytosis in children]. / Lijecenje histiocitoze langerhansovih stanica u djece.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a disease characterised by pathologic accumulation and proliferation of histiocytes, cells from the monocyte-macrophage system, in various tissues and organs. In this retrospective study we analyzed patients charts treated in the Department of pediatric hematology and oncology at the University Hospital Zagreb with the diagnosis of LCH. Twenty-two children were diagnosed between January 1st 1996 and December 31st 2010, and all were treated with chemotherapy. 19 patients survived (86%) and the remaining 3 (14%), all under the age of 2 with multisystem disease, died. At the time of diagnosis 12 children (55%) presented with single-system disease, the most common were bone lesions in 8 children (36%). All children were treated according to protocols LCH-I and LCH -III. Eight children had mild complications of treatment and the disease itself. Diabetes insipidus remains in 4 children.

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma in a 19 month-old boy: a case report.

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a rare type of T-cell lymphoma of CD3+CD8+ phenotype characterized by deep-seated skin nodules or plaques mimicking panniculitis, a result of neoplastic lymphocytes infiltrating the subcutaneous fatty tissue. We present a case of a 19-month year old boy with SPTCL diagnosed and successfully treated in our institution. Disease first presented with symptoms of high fever and painful erythematous nodule located below the umbilicus. Later on the infiltrates appeared on the face, legs, arms and the back of the body. As the most decisive in obtaining the diagnosis, skin biopsy showed atypical, small to medium-sized lymphatic cells infiltrating the deeper dermal layers as well as the subcutaneous adipous tissue surrounding the adipocytes. Immunohystochemical analysis showed neoplastic lymphocytes positive for CD2, CD3, CD5, CD7, CD8, Tia-1, granzyme B and perforine, and negative for CD20, CD34, TDT and CD56. No infiltration of blood vessels or epidermis was evident. Specific T-cell lymphomas protocol (EURO-LB 02) was then initiated which resulted with rapid regression of all general and local symptoms. The treatment was completed according to schedule and the child is now, 24 months after the initiation of the treatment, in complete remission.