Tattoo complications in treated and non-treated psoriatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Tattooing is a widespread phenomenon, with an estimated prevalence of 10-30% in Western populations. For psoriasis patients, current recommendations are to avoid having a tattoo if the disease is active and they are receiving immunosuppressive treatments. Although scientific data supporting these recommendations are lacking, dermatologists are often reluctant to advocate tattooing in psoriasis patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of tattoo complications in patients with psoriasis and determine whether the occurrence of complications was associated with psoriasis status and treatments received at the time of tattooing. METHODS: We performed a multicentre cross-sectional study. Adults with psoriasis were consecutively included and classified as tattooed or non-tattooed. Prevalence of complications associated with tattoos was then evaluated according to psoriasis onset and treatments. The study was divided into three parts, in which data were collected through a series of questionnaires filled in by the dermatologist. Complications included pruritus, oedema, allergic reaction/eczema, infection/superinfection, granuloma, lichenification, photosensitivity, Koebner phenomenon and psoriasis flare after tattooing. Diagnosis of complications was made retrospectively. RESULTS: We included 2053 psoriatic patients, 20.2% had 894 tattoos. Amongst non-tattooed patients, 15.4% had wished to be tattooed, with psoriasis being stated as a reason for not having a tattoo by 44.0% and 5.7% indicating that they planned to have a tattoo in the future. Local complications, such as oedema, pruritus, allergy and Koebner phenomenon, were reported in tattoos in 6.6%, most frequently in patients with psoriasis requiring treatment at the time of tattooing (P < 0.0001). No severe complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of tattoo complications in psoriasis patients was low. Although the risk of complications was highest amongst patients with psoriasis requiring treatment at the time of tattooing, all the complications observed were benign. These results can be helpful for practitioners to give objective information to patients.

[Stevens-Johnson syndrome concurrent with primary Epstein-Barr virus infection]. / Syndrome de Stevens-Johnson au cours d'une primo-infection par le virus d'Epstein-Barr.

BACKGROUND: Primary EBV infection mainly affects children and young adults. Most patients present the characteristic triad of fever, pharyngitis and lymphadenopathy. Symptoms may include a morbilliform eruption, occasionally induced by amoxicillin. We report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome concurrent with EBV infection. CASE REPORT: A 17-year-old boy consulted for an eruption suggestive of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which was supported by the histopathology results. The patient had taken no medication during the previous weeks. Laboratory examinations showed atypical activated T lymphocytes. Serological tests and PCR results confirmed the diagnosis of primary EBV infection. The outcome was spontaneously favorable with only symptomatic treatment being required. DISCUSSION: Stevens-Johnson syndrome is characterized by "target" lesions and profuse mucous membrane involvement. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is frequently drug-induced, being due less frequently to infections. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is very rarely a manifestation of infectious mononucleosis, with only one case being reported in the literature. When confronted with Stevens-Johnson syndrome without any imputable medication, complete screening for infection should be performed, in particular for primary EBV infection.

[Annular elastolytic giant-cell granuloma]. / Granulome annulaire élastolytique à cellules géantes.

BACKGROUND: Annular elastolytic giant-cell granuloma (AEGCG) is a rare form of granulomatous dermatosis characterized by annular plaques with central atrophy and raised erythematous margins and is usually located on the facial and neck areas. It is characterized histologically by loss of elastic fibre and elastophagocytosis. We report a case of AEGCG. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old man consulted for annular plaques, some of which were atrophic, and papules that had been present for 2 years. The lesions involved sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed skin. The biopsies showed granulomatous infiltrates and discrete elastophagocytosis. After ruling out various differential clinical and histological diagnoses, the patient was diagnosed with AEGCG. DISCUSSION: We report a case of AEGCG. Diagnosis was not easy. The differential diagnoses of this entity were discussed and we ruled out actinic granuloma, sarcoidosis, leprosy, and granuloma annulare. Our patient presented the classical annular variant combined with a papular variant. We report the first case involving response to isotretinoin.

[Intra- and interfamilial phenotype variation in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: Consequences for therapy]. / Variation phénotypique intra- et interfamiliale dans le syndrome de Birt-Hogg-Dubé : conséquences sur la prise en charge.

BACKGROUND: Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS) is an autosomal-dominantly inherited genodermatosis that predisposes to the development of benign hair follicle tumours, lung cysts, kidney tumours, and possibly colonic cancers, due to mutations in the FLCN gene. We report cases involving a new mutation in three unrelated families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples of three probands were submitted for a molecular diagnosis of BHDS. Following DNA extraction, FLCN gene sequencing was performed. The identified mutations were confirmed on a second sample. A cancer genetics consultation was organized and specific tests (dermatological examination, CT scan of chest and abdomen and colonoscopy) were proposed for each BHDS patient. RESULTS: FLCN gene-sequencing analysis revealed an identical complex harmful mutation in all three families. The first proband showed fibrofolliculomas (FF), a history of pneumothorax and colonic adenoma. The mutation was found in a brother and two sisters, who were asymptomatic, and in a niece with FF. The second proband showed FF. The mutation was found in her mother, who had FF. The third proband presented diffuse emphysema and very rare FF. DISCUSSION: This case report shows extremely wide intra- and interfamilial phenotype variation within individuals having a similar FLCN gene mutation. In large cohorts of BHDS patients, no genotype-phenotype correlation has been shown. This case emphasises the vital importance of presymptomatic diagnosis for each member of a BHDS family by means of a cancer genetics consultation, followed by a CT scan of the chest and abdomen, colonoscopy and annual kidney imaging.

[Congenital histiocytoma: a benign disease]. / Histiocytome congénital: une lésion bénigne.

BACKGROUND: We report on a newborn presenting a solitary congenital skin nodule due to Langerhans cell histiocytosis. This benign lesion is rare and has been described in the literature under a variety of names; there is no consensus regarding treatment. CASE REPORT: A 28-day-old newborn presented with a solitary congenital blue-brown nodule measuring 1cm on the left iliac fossa. Histological examination of a skin biopsy showed a proliferation of histiocytes throughout the dermis with an immunohistochemical profile of Langerhans cells. The lesion resolved spontaneously, with rapid reduction of the infiltration, and at 16 weeks only a pigmented scar remained. DISCUSSION: Thirty-eight similar cases have been reported in the literature under a variety of different names. The lesions noted consisted of a solitary brownish nodule measuring 1cm which was congenital in almost all cases, often ulcerated and exhibited no predilection for any particular body site. Histological examination revealed dermal proliferation of Langerhans cells. Electronic microscopy revealed dense intracytoplasmic bodies and Birbeck's granules. Laboratory and radiological tests did not show systemic involvement in any cases. All lesions other than those surgically removed regressed spontaneously within a mean 8 weeks. It appears necessary to differentiate between congenital and other forms of histiocytoma since therapeutic strategies differ. Spontaneous resolution of lesions and lack of systemic involvement militate in favour of simple clinical follow-up, with surgical excision and further tests required only for cases lasting 6 months and beyond.

[Optimized negative pressure therapy. Case report]. / Thérapie par pression négative optimisée. A propos d'un cas.

Our patient showed major abdominal cutaneous necrosis. Detersion removed the entire thickness of half of the right-hand wall of the abdomen. We are going to explain how, by combining well known procedures, we conducted this closure. This deals with a patient aged 53, with a long case history of dermatomyositis and highly debilitating sub-cutaneous calcinosis. This patient has been treated with Imurel and high doses of corticoids since 1997. In the face of the much debilitated terrain of the patient, it was not certain that a local flap or even a pediculated flap could be made to cover this loss of substance with a minimum of risk. A cutaneous extension was then envisaged using a system of Wisebands fillets. To protect the parietal plate, accelerate its growth and reduce the skin tension, we used in combination a system of foam dressing with negative pressure therapy (NPT). The optimized NPT was used for 2 weeks. The Wisebands were installed for 1 month. The treatment lasted for 50 days and required five short sessions of general anaesthesia. The histopathological interpretation revealed an EBV lymphoma. The assessment of the extension and the therapeutic treatment of the lymphoma contributed to the duration of hospitalisation and the number of general anaesthesia sessions. The synergy effect of these two associated procedures have allowed a faster skin closure; 18 months later, no complications have occurred. The wound has closed totally and the abdominal wall is solid in spite of not having resorted to a flap or separation.

[Cutaneous EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder in a dermatomyositis treated with immunosuppressive agents]. / Syndrome lymphoprolifératif cutané lié à l'EBV au cours d'une dermatomyosite traitée par immunosuppresseurs.

We report a case of Epstein Barr virus-associated large B cell lymphoproliferative disorder, with an abdominal cutaneous localization, in an adult treated for 10 years with immunosuppressive agents for a dermatomyositis. This is the third case of immunosuppressive induced lymphoproliferative disorder localized to skin in a patient with dermatomyositis. Diagnosis was unexpectedly obtained by the histologic examination of surgical samples of skin necrosis possibly induced by edetate calcium disodium subcutaneous injections in calcinosis cutis.

[Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the leg without lymphoedema]. / Angiosarcome cutané de jambe sans lymphoedème associé.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare aggressive vascular neoplasm with a poor prognosis, seen chiefly in elderly subjects and usually on the scalp or face. The present case is original because of its localization on the leg without any chronic lymphoedema and because of the long survival period. The treatment modalities are discussed. CASE REPORT: An 87-year-old woman presented with a rapidly growing large deep-purple ulcerated tumour on the anterior aspect of the leg. In addition, two nodules with a similar aspect appeared on the outer surface of the foot. Histological examination showed vascular channels lined with atypical cells consistent with a diagnosis of angiosarcoma. Computed tomography revealed no metastases. Amputation was performed at the thigh and there was no recurrence 30 months later. DISCUSSION: The leg is a rare site of cutaneous angiosarcoma. Treatment usually consists of surgical excision with wide margins followed by radiotherapy, but in some cases amputation is unavoidable.