[Granulomatous periocular eruption]. / Dermatite périoculaire granulomateuse.

BACKGROUND: Herein, we report a case of atypical periorificial dermatitis in a patient that had been receiving treatment for some time for atopic dermatitis. The specific feature of this rash was its periocular predominance with no perioral involvement, its clinical aspect and its histological picture evocative of sarcoidosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 33-year-old man was being treated for a atopic dermatitis limited to the face and poorly responsive to dermal corticosteroids. Treatment was initiated with topical tacrolimus 0.1%. After 4 years, dependence on this treatment was noted, with daily application being needed to control the lesions. One year later, symmetric lesions were seen on the eyelids and periorbital regions; these were erythematous, micropapular and poorly delineated in a setting of oedema. Biopsy revealed epithelioid granulomatous inflammation, and, to a lesser degree, sarcoidal giant-cell features without caseous necrosis. Staging tests to identify systemic sarcoidosis were negative. Treatment with hydroxychloroquine at 400mg per day and discontinuation of topical tacrolimus resulted in complete remission of the lesions within 2 months. Hydroxychloroquine was discontinued after 6 months, and no relapses had occurred after 2 years of follow-up. DISCUSSION: Three diagnostic hypotheses may be posited for these granulomatous facial lesions. We opted for a diagnosis of granulomatous periorificial dermatitis despite the fact that exclusively periorbital involvement is rare (this condition is generally associated with perioral dermatitis). The second was that of pure cutaneous sarcoidosis, but the topography and clinical appearance of the lesions did not correspond to any of the cutaneous forms classically described. The third was that of tacrolimus-induced granulomatous rosacea, but the histological picture is different. CONCLUSION: The present case underscores the fact that a histological appearance of sarcoidosis on skin biopsy may be associated with perioral dermatitis.

Periocular allergic contact dermatitis following topical Mitomycin C eye drop application.

A 63-year-old women had an extensive limbal papilliform tumoural lesion of her left eye. Mitomycin C (MMC) was applied to the area at a dose of 0.2 mg/ml after total surgical excision of the lesion. The lesion was diagnosed as invasive squamous cell carcinoma on histopathology and topical 0.02% MMC was prescribed four times daily to the left eye. A severe per ocular contact dermatitis of the left eye developed two days after starting MMC. The patch test result was positive. The per ocular dermatitis resolved after discontinuation of the topical MMC and treatment with a topical corticosteroid.

Short-term thallium intoxication: dermatological findings correlated with thallium concentration.

BACKGROUND: The dermatological features and skin biopsy findings of short-term thallium intoxication have been described. However, the correlation between the dermatological findings and the thallium concentration, the prognosis of peripheral neuropathy, and a cutaneous nerve biopsy study are lacking. OBSERVATIONS: Two patients initially developed perioral numbness, erythematous facial rashes, and polyneuropathy after ingesting thallium-containing water. Severe diffuse alopecia was noted, and a skin biopsy specimen revealed parakeratosis and vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer. Examinations of the hair mount demonstrated a tapered appearance of the anagen root. A serial cutaneous nerve biopsy study showed a loss of epidermal nerves 7 weeks and even 1 year after the thallium intoxication. A toxicology survey disclosed a high concentration of thallium (about 3124 mg/L) in the water. The clinical dermatological features subsided completely, but polyneuropathy with severe painful feet persisted. The blood and daily urinary thallium concentrations decreased slowly in the following 3-month period. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical dermatological features subsided completely, but painful polyneuropathy persisted. The series cutaneous nerve biopsy specimens showed persistent damage to the sensory nerve endings. The disappearance of the dermatological features and the appearance of Mees lines correlated with the decrease of blood and urinary thallium concentrations.

Allergic contact gingivostomatitis from a temporary crown made of methacrylates and epoxy diacrylates.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by (meth)acrylates is common in dental personnel, whereas dental acrylic fillings and crowns have rarely been reported to cause problems in dental patients. Here we report on a 48-year-old woman who developed gingivitis, stomatitis, and perioral dermatitis after a temporary crown made of restorative, two-component material had been inserted. The manufacturer stated that the temporary crown base paste and catalyst contained three (meth)acrylates, namely, a proacrylate, which is a modification of 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (BIS-GMA); a tricyclate, which is a saturated, aliphatic, tricyclic methacrylate; and urethane methacrylate. The manufacturer refused to give more exact information on the (meth)acrylates. Patch testing revealed that the patient was highly allergic to BIS-GMA, other epoxy diacrylates, and (meth)acrylates, as well as to the base paste and catalyst of the temporary crown. Accordingly, it was concluded that the allergic reaction was caused by BIS-GMA, or a cross-reacting (meth)acrylate, or other (meth)acrylates in the temporary crown.

Skin signs in the diagnosis of thallium poisoning.

A 45-year-old man developed a painful and rapidly progressive sensory-motor polyneuropathy associated with confusion and convulsions. This resulted in hypoventilation and led to respiratory failure and coma. A rapid and diffuse alopecia occurred after 3 weeks in the intensive care unit. Examination of hair roots under polarized light detected dystrophic anagen hairs with dark bands caused by empty spaces in the disorganized cortex. These dark zones were originally reported in patients with thallium poisoning and a toxicological investigation confirmed thallium exposure. The classical systemic symptoms and the various dermatological signs are reviewed, and the origins of contamination and physiopathology discussed.