Kaposiform Haemangioendothelioma-spectrum Lesions with Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon: Retrospective Analysis and Long-term Outcome.

Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP) is a rare life-threatening vascular condition of infancy. Prognosis factors and long-term follow-up data are lacking. We retrospectively analysed the records of 24 infants (10 females, 14 males) treated for KMP in the Department of Dermatology of Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France, from 1984 to 2012. Mean duration of thrombocytopaenia (2,000-38,000 platelets/mm3, mean 10,500/µl) was 8.8 months (range 3 days-84 months), which correlated with tumour infiltration depth on imaging. D-dimer levels were always elevated, even before KMP onset. Each patient received a mean of 4.8 different treatments (range 1-10). Median follow-up was 6.5 years (range 2 months-22 years). All infants had residual cutaneous lesions, along with inflammatory manifestations (n = 9), elevated D-dimer (n = 5) and orthopaedic sequelae (n = 5). The permanent coagulopathy (elevated D-dimer) even after resolution of KMP suggests the presence of chronic low-grade platelet trapping, with possible sudden worsening, and raises the possibility of prophylactic anti-platelet therapy.

Cutaneous hematologic disorders in children.

BACKGROUND: To determine and list the clinical and pathological features of cutaneous hematologic diseases in childhood. PROCEDURE: We retrospectively analyzed the data for 51 patients up to 15 years of age, who presented with primary cutaneous hematologic disorders according to the WHO-EORTC classification, at Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France, over a 17-year period. The cases were classified into the following diagnostic categories: CD30+ T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (24) all consisting of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP, 24), lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL, 7), acute leukemias (AL, 7), mycosis fungoides (MF, 5), Epstein-Barr virus-related lymphoproliferative disorders (EBV-related LPD, 5), T/NK-cell lymphoma, nasal type (1), γ/δ T-cell lymphoma (1), and panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (1). RESULTS: We encountered a majority of LyP. No secondary lymphoma was found in LyP patients with a median follow-up of 8 years. 29% and 80% of LyP and MF patients, respectively, presented with pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC) before onset of disease. Owing to a frequently misleading clinicopathological presentation, MF patients were first underdiagnosed. Clinicopathological features of LL and AL were highly stereotypical, leading to the diagnosis being suspected and confirmed more promptly. In the latter patients and in EBV-related LPD patients, skin lesions usually led to the discovery of systemic disease. CONCLUSION: Distribution of cutaneous hematologic diseases seems to be different in adults and in children aged <15-year old. PLC was strongly correlated with MF and LyP. Physicians must be made aware of the stereotypical clinical presentations of LL and AL to allow prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in children: a rare diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is a rare malignant neoplasm usually occurring in the mediastinum of children and adolescents. The B-cell immunophenotype of LBL (B-LBL) accounts for less than 20% of all cases and may involve extramediastinal areas, such as the skin. Although highly aggressive, LBL is potentially curable if diagnosed early. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of B-LBL in children presenting with cutaneous lesions, and to highlight the specific features of this rare and serious disease. METHODS: Seven children with a confirmed diagnosis of cutaneous B-LBL were identified by retrospective chart review. The clinical and histopathologic features were documented, analyzed, and compared with cases previously published in the literature. RESULTS: Six children developed nodules on the head, and one child presented with lesions on the back and abdomen. Histopathology showed a diffuse dermal and subcutaneous monomorphous infiltrate made up of atypical cells with an immature B-cell phenotype. The average duration of the lesions before diagnosis was 3.2 months. A staging workup revealed extracutaneous disease in 5 patients, including bone-marrow involvement in 4 children. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study with a small number of patients. CONCLUSION: The cutaneous lesions of B-LBL typically manifest as rapidly growing erythematous firm nodules located on the head. Awareness of these clinical features is important for the diagnosis to be reached rapidly and treatment started without delay.

Connective tissue nevi: an entity revisited.

BACKGROUND: Connective tissue nevi (CTN) may be isolated, either sporadic or hereditary, or syndromic as in the Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome. Few publications have addressed the variable clinical and histopathologic expression of these benign hamartomas. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize the clinical and histopathologic features of CTN and to highlight a spectrum of clinical disease. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of cases selected after strict clinical and histopathologic confirmation of the diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients with CTN were included. The average age of onset was 2 years. Three clinical forms were distinguished: type A with lesions at a single site, with one case presenting as an ulcerated infiltrated plaque; type B with two or more sites of involvement; and type C with unusually severe infiltration with functional impairment of a limb. Histopathologic examination of lesional biopsy specimens showed 10 collagenomas, one elastoma, 18 mixed CTN, and an increased number of fibroblasts in 4 cases. No correlation between clinical type and histopathologic findings was observed. LIMITATION: This was a descriptive case series. CONCLUSIONS: CTN comprise a clinical spectrum ranging from isolated papules to unusually severe aggressive plaques with monomelic involvement. The histopathologic features are heterogeneous and include a newly described variant, which we name "cellular CTN" because of the increased number of fibroblasts.

Clinical and histologic features of incontinentia pigmenti in adults with nuclear factor-κB essential modulator gene mutations.

BACKGROUND: Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is a multisystem disorder, in which cutaneous symptoms can be accompanied by dental, ocular, and central nervous system defects. In adults, the clinical diagnosis of IP is based principally on the late onset of stage 4 lesions and their association with dental, nail, ocular, or central nervous system anomalies. Nevertheless, these lesions are often unrecognized. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was assessment of IP manifestations in adults to clarify diagnostic criteria for mild forms of the disease, to help physicians detect adult IP in the presence of subtle lesions and avoid misdiagnosis. METHOD: We conducted clinical and histologic examination of 25 adults with IP and nuclear factor-κB essential modulator gene rearrangement or mutations. RESULTS: Linear atrophic, hypopigmented, and hairless lesions (stage 4) are constant in adults. Apoptotic keratinocytes in the epidermis or dermis and atrophic hair follicles, with absence of arrector pili muscles, are frequently observed. In contrast, nipple anomalies are rare. LIMITATIONS: We were unable to determine the age of the onset of IP stage 4 lesions. CONCLUSION: Skin manifestations are constant in adult patients with IP. Histology is characteristic and could be considered as a minor diagnostic criterion of IP. Nipple anomalies also may be considered as a minor criterion. Detection of such subtle manifestations can evoke IP in patients with repeated miscarriages or unexplained neurologic manifestations.

Neonatal rhabdomyosarcoma misdiagnosed as a congenital hemangioma.

Highly vascularized malignant soft-tissue tumors can clinically and radiologically mimic deep hemangiomas. We present a case of congenital rhabdomyosarcoma of the neck, which was initially identified as congenital hemangioma.

Only four genes (EDA1, EDAR, EDARADD, and WNT10A) account for 90% of hypohidrotic/anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia cases.

Hypohidrotic and anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED/EDA) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by abnormal development of sweat glands, teeth, and hair. Three disease-causing genes have been hitherto identified, namely, (1) EDA1 accounting for X-linked forms, (2) EDAR, and (3) EDARADD, causing both autosomal dominant and recessive forms. Recently, WNT10A gene was identified as responsible for various autosomal recessive forms of ectodermal dysplasias, including onycho-odonto-dermal dysplasia (OODD) and Schöpf-Schulz-Passarge syndrome. We systematically studied EDA1, EDAR, EDARADD, and WNT10A genes in a large cohort of 65 unrelated patients, of which 61 presented with HED/EDA. A total of 50 mutations (including 32 novel mutations) accounted for 60/65 cases in our series. These four genes accounted for 92% (56/61 patients) of HED/EDA cases: (1) the EDA1 gene was the most common disease-causing gene (58% of cases), (2)WNT10A and EDAR were each responsible for 16% of cases. Moreover, a novel disease locus for dominant HED/EDA mapped to chromosome 14q12-q13.1. Although no clinical differences between patients carrying EDA1, EDAR, or EDARADD mutations could be identified, patients harboring WNT10A mutations displayed distinctive clinical features (marked dental phenotype, no facial dysmorphism), helping to decide which gene should be first investigated in HED/EDA.

Scalp nodules as a presenting sign of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a register-based study.

BACKGROUND: Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive ossification of soft tissues. Clinical diagnosis is important because trauma from lesional biopsies can exacerbate the disease. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the frequency of scalp nodules as the presenting manifestation of FOP. METHODS: We describe 3 infants with FOP who presented with multiple neonatal scalp nodules. We reviewed all 43 cases of this disorder in the French FOP registry. RESULTS: Scalp nodules were found in 40% of cases and usually represented the first manifestation of the disease. All 43 patients had characteristic skeletal malformations involving the great toes (n = 43), fingers (n = 12), and vertebrae (n = 3). Other abnormalities were cerebral malformations (n = 1) and alopecia (n = 2). Histopathologic analysis did not contribute to the differential diagnosis and was interpreted as cranial fasciitis in two patients. LIMITATIONS: Our study was retrospective, and the presence or absence of scalp nodules was not always recorded. CONCLUSION: Neonatal scalp nodules associated with a characteristic malformation of the great toes are a common presentation of FOP. Physicians should be aware that lesional biopsies can exacerbate the disease and must therefore be avoided. A diagnosis of classic FOP can be confirmed by molecular genetic studies.

Clinical spectrum of tufted angiomas in childhood: a report of 13 cases and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Tufted angioma (TA) is a rare benign vascular tumor that mostly appears during infancy or early childhood. Histologic tufts of capillaries infiltrating the whole dermis in a "cannonball" distribution pattern associated with dilated lymphatic vessels are characteristic of the disease and confirm the diagnosis. Few case series of TA have been published, and the morphologic structure and evolution of TA seem to vary. OBSERVATIONS: We describe the largest series to date of childhood TA, comprising 13 cases. All children developed lesions within the first year of life; 7 cases were congenital. We found a clear male predominance (9 of 13 children). Presentation was a nascent or florid tumor, usually a dusky red to violaceous plaque, that was indurated, firm, and sometimes associated with hyperhidrosis or hypertrichosis. Locations of the lesions included limbs, abdomen, and genitalia. Five children had spontaneous regression, 5 children had Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, and 1 child had a lesion that stabilized. Two children with painful TA had chronic coagulopathy without thrombocytopenia that was controlled by ticlopidine hydrochloride and aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: The following 3 clinical patterns could be distinguished: TA without complications, TA complicated by Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, and TA without thrombocytopenia but with chronic coagulopathy. To our knowledge, this study is the first to describe the third pattern. Because of the aggressive nature of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, it is essential to obtain a complete blood cell count when evaluating a child with TA.

Neonatal and early infantile cutaneous langerhans cell histiocytosis: comparison of self-regressive and non-self-regressive forms.

OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical and immunohistochemical findings in patients with cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) beginning in the first 3 months of life and to define predictors of disease evolution. DESIGN: Observational retrospective survey from July 15, 1989, to April 30, 2007. SETTING: Referral center in pediatric dermatology. PATIENTS: Thirty-one patients with a diagnosis of cutaneous LCH in the first 3 months of life and no previous visceral LCH. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cutaneous lesion characteristics, regulatory T-lymphocyte density, and E-cadherin expression were assessed. Data were compared between the patient groups with self-regressive vs non-self-regressive forms of cutaneous LCH. Pathologic analysis was performed blinded to patient group. RESULTS: Self-regressive cutaneous LCH was found in 21 patients and non-self-regressive cutaneous LCH in 10 patients. Monolesional forms, necrotic lesions, hypopigmented macules at presentation, and distal topography of limb lesions were seen only in patients with self-regressive cutaneous LCH. Regulatory T-lymphocyte density correlated with interleukin 10 expression in lesions (r = 0.77, P = .003) but was not predictive of disease evolution. E-cadherin expression by Langerhans cells was found in 7 patients with disease limited to the skin whether self-regressive or not. One patient with secondary disseminated disease showed loss of E-cadherin expression in Langerhans cells. CONCLUSIONS: Some morphologic traits of skin lesions can orient the diagnosis to a self-regressive form of cutaneous LCH. Regulatory T-lymphocyte density does not seem to be predictive of disease evolution. E-cadherin expression seems to be an indicator of limited skin disease but not of disease regression. Additional immunohistochemical study is required to confirm these data.

Pediatric mastocytosis is a clonal disease associated with D816V and other activating c-KIT mutations.

Adult mastocytosis is an incurable clonal disease associated with c-KIT mutations, mostly in exon 17 (D816V). In contrast, pediatric mastocytosis often spontaneously regresses and is considered a reactive disease. Previous studies on childhood mastocytosis assessed only a few patients and focused primarily on codon 816 mutations, with various results. In this study, we analyzed the entire c-KIT sequence from cutaneous biopsies of 50 children with mastocytosis (ages 0-16 years). A mutation of codon 816 (exon 17) was found in 42% of cases, and mutations outside exon 17 were observed in 44%. Unexpectedly, half of the mutations were located in the fifth Ig loop of c-KIT's extracellular domain, which is encoded by exons 8 and 9. All mutations identified in this study were somatic and caused a constitutive activation of c-KIT. There was no clear phenotype-genotype correlation, no clear relationship between the mutations and familial versus spontaneous disease, and no significant change in the relative expression of the c-KIT GNNK+ and GNNK isoforms. These findings strongly support the idea that, although pediatric mastocytosis can spontaneously regress, it is a clonal disease most commonly associated with activating mutations in c-KIT.

Skin biopsy is helpful for the diagnosis of incontinentia pigmenti at late stage (IV): a series of 26 cutaneous biopsies.

BACKGROUND: Hypochromic streaks can be the only cutaneous sign of incontinentia pigmenti (IP) in adulthood (stage IV). Discovery of such lesions in an adult female with no family history of IP is essential for appropriate genetic counselling. OBJECTIVE: To describe and to validate the histological features of residual skin lesions in adult IP. METHODS: The analysis and comparison of skin biopsies of 26 women affected with molecularly confirmed IP. RESULTS: Most biopsies showed slight atrophy and some scattered apoptotic cells in the epidermis, epidermal hypopigmentation and reduced melanocyte number. The dermis appeared thickened and homogeneous and revealed a complete absence of hair follicles (23/26) and sweat glands (22/26). There was no melanin incontinence or inflammatory cells, and the elastic network was normal. CONCLUSION: These features lead unequivocally to the diagnosis of a stage IV IP skin lesion. Consequently, histology is a major confirmatory criterion for diagnoses of these mild clinical forms of IP. It is therefore a useful tool in genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis. Moreover, the observations described here may contribute to understanding the physiopathology of the late stages of IP.

Identification of new RECQL4 mutations in Caucasian Rothmund-Thomson patients and analysis of sensitivity to a wide range of genotoxic agents.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS), a rare recessive autosomal disorder, presents genome instability and clinical heterogeneity with growth deficiency, skin and bone defects, premature aging symptoms and cancer susceptibility. A subset of RTS patients presents mutations of the RECQL4 gene, member of the RecQ family of DNA helicases, including the RECQL2 (BLM) and RECQL3 (WRN) genes, defective in the cancer prone Bloom and Werner syndromes, respectively. Analysis of the RECQL4 gene in six clinically diagnosed RTS patients shows five patients, including two siblings, with eight mutations mainly located in the helicase domain, three patients presenting two mutations. The alterations include four missense mutations, one nonsense mutation and the same frameshift deletion, g.2881delG in exon 9 found in three patients. Seven RECQL4 polymorphisms, two being new, have also been identified. Primary RTS fibroblasts from these RTS patients show no sensitivity to a wide variety of genotoxic agents including ionizing or ultraviolet irradiation, nitrogen mustard, 4NQO, 8-MOP, Cis-Pt, MMC, H2O2, HU, or UV plus caffeine which could be related to the RECQL4 alterations identified here. This is in contrast with the DNA damage sensitive Bloom and Werner cells and highlights the complexity of the numerous RecQ protein functions implicated in the different cellular pathways required for maintaining genomic integrity.

A clinical, histologic, and molecular study of 9 cases of congenital dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) in childhood is often difficult because of the deceptive appearance of the lesions. Little is known about congenital DFSP, the frequency of which is probably underestimated because the initial lesion may pass unnoticed. OBSERVATIONS: We studied 9 DFSP congenital cases (8 plaques and 1 nodule) initially suspected to be benign lesions. The first biopsies or excisions were performed after a delay of 5(1/2) months to 15 years. All cases were CD34+. Histologic patterns were similar to the DFSP adult classic pattern in 4 cases. One case was a Bednar tumor. The histologic diagnosis of the 4 remaining cases was difficult. The collagen, type I, alpha 1-platelet-derived growth factor beta fusion gene (COL1A1-PDGFB) was detected by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or fluorescence in situ hybridization. CONCLUSIONS: All cases of congenital DFSP were difficult to identify clinically. The diagnosis was suspected by means of histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation and was confirmed using molecular analyses. This study illustrates the difficulties and pitfalls of the recognition of congenital DFSP and emphasizes the value of immunohistochemical study with anti-CD34 and complementary molecular analysis for all cutaneous spindle cell tumors and plaques in neonates and infants.

Presence of chimeric maternally derived keratinocytes in cutaneous inflammatory diseases of children: the example of pityriasis lichenoides.

During pregnancy, maternal cells may enter the fetal circulation and persist until adulthood. The fate of these cells remains unknown. As unexplained T-cell-mediated conditions such as pityriasis lichenoides (PL) may occur in children, we aimed at identifying maternal cells in lesional skin of PL and controls. Archived skin biopsy specimens from young males with PL, atopic dermatitis, or normal skin were scanned for the presence of female (presumably maternal) cells using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with X and Y chromosome-specific probes. Phenotyping of maternal cells relied on FISH combined with anti-CD45, anti-CD1a, or anti-cytokeratin labelling, identifying leukocytes, Langerhans cells, and keratinocytes, respectively. Maternal cells were found in PL (11/12) and controls (4/7), but their average frequency was higher in PL: 99 per million cells as compared to 5 per million cells in controls (P = 0.005). In the epidermis, the maternal microchimeric cells were labelled by anti-cytokeratin in all cases. We identified maternally derived keratinocytes in the skin of male children with inflammatory skin disorders. These cells may either help repair the damaged skin or home initially in the skin and trigger a host (child) versus graft (mother) disease.

Renal-transplant recipients and sun protection.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of skin carcinomas in organ-transplant recipients is high. The main factors implicated in carcinogenesis are immune suppression and ultraviolet radiation. Only the second is avoidable. We have evaluated knowledge of and compliance with sun protection measures among renal-transplant recipients (RTR). METHODS: A survey by means of a questionnaire including questions about clinical data, knowledge of, and compliance with sun protection was given. The questionnaire was given to 520 consecutive RTR followed up in a single center, and 445 (86%) answered. RESULTS: Of the responders, 91% have been informed of the need for sun protection, in 80% of cases by dermatologists. Sixty-eight percent used more protective measures abroad than at home, 63% avoided going outside during the hottest midday hours, 63% used sunscreen regularly, but 46% used one or less tube of sunscreen a year. A hat was always worn in the sun by 35% and long sleeves by 36%. Women and fair-skinned individuals complied better with protective measures. A minority of patients knew that ultraviolet radiation carries a risk of skin cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows that most RTR are aware of the need for sun protection, but only a minority take adequate protection measures. The better results observed in this study than in previous published investigations may be caused by the great involvement of dermatologists in the care of RTR in our institution. The results of this survey underline the need to inform RTR better about sun-protection measures and the importance of cooperation between transplant physicians and dermatologists.

Skin markers of occult spinal dysraphism in children: a review of 54 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To verify the diagnostic value of lumbosacral midline cutaneous lesions in asymptomatic children to detect occult spinal dysraphism (OSD) and to propose a practical approach for clinical investigations with respect to the type of cutaneous lesions observed. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 54 children referred to the Department of Pediatric Dermatology between 1990 and 1999 for congenital midline lumbosacral cutaneous lesions. SETTING: The private or institutional practices of participating dermatologists and pediatricians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluation of the diagnostic value of midline cutaneous lesions for the detec-tion of OSD. Association of skin examination findings with spinal anomalies detected by magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound. RESULTS: Occult spinal dysraphism was detected in 3 of 36 patients with an isolated congenital midline lesion and 11 of 18 patients with a combination of 2 or more different skin lesions. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of 2 or more congenital midline skin lesions is the strongest marker of OSD. Careful dermatologic examination is needed to detect suggestive markers and request a spinal magnetic resonance image, which is the most sensitive radiologic approach to detect an OSD.

Late recurrence of inflammatory first-stage lesions in incontinentia pigmenti: an unusual phenomenon and a fascinating pathologic mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is an X-linked genodermatosis that is manifested by neonatal inflammatory vesicles localized along the lines of Blaschko. These lesions usually clear spontaneously within a few months, leaving hyperpigmentation. Ophthalmologic and neurologic symptoms can be associated with IP. Late recurrences of the first-stage inflammatory lesions after the initial rash are uncommon and have been reported infrequently. The mechanism involved in this phenomenon is unclear. However, the recent identification of NEMO/IKKgamma as the gene responsible for IP sheds new light on its pathophysiologic origins. OBSERVATIONS: We report 5 cases of children who experienced episodes of late reactivation of IP. In all cases, the recurrences occurred on the previously hyperpigmented streaks several months or years after resolution of the initial eruptions. In most cases, the recurrences were preceded by an infectious episode. CONCLUSIONS: These IP recurrences suggest that mutated cells can persist a long time in the epidermis. We theorize that infections trigger the reactivations. The NEMO/IKKgamma gene encodes a protein essential in nuclear factor kappaB activation, which is required for resistance to tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis. We discuss the role of a proinflammatory cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor alpha as a triggering factor for the reactivation.