Dermoscopic characteristics of Merkel cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive, cutaneous tumour with high mortality and frequently delayed diagnosis. Clinically, it often manifests as a rapidly growing erythematous to purple nodule usually located on the lower extremities or face and scalp of elderly patients. There is limited available data on the dermoscopic findings of MCC, and there are no specific features that can be used to definitively diagnose MCC. AIM OF THE STUDY: Here, we aimed to summarize existing published literature on dermatoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features of MCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To find relevant studies, we searched the PubMed and Scopus databases from inception to April 12, 2023. Our goal was to identify all pertinent research that had been written in English. The following search strategy was employed: (" dermoscopy" OR " dermatoscopy" OR " videodermoscopy" OR " videodermatoscopy" OR " reflectance confocal microscopy") AND " Merkel cell carcinoma". Two dermatologists, DK and GE, evaluated the titles and abstracts separately for eligibility. For inclusion, only works written in English were taken into account. RESULTS: In total 16 articles were retrieved (68 cases). The main dermoscopic findings of MCC are a polymorphous vascular pattern including linear irregular, arborizing, glomerular, and dotted vessels on a milky red background, with shiny or non-shiny white areas. Pigmentation was lacking in all cases. The RCM images showed a thin and disarranged epidermis, and small hypo-reflective cells that resembled lymphocytes arranged in solid aggregates outlined by fibrous tissue in the dermis. Additionally, there were larger polymorphic hyper-reflective cells that likely represented highly proliferative cells. CONCLUSION: Dermoscopic findings of MCC may play a valuable role in evaluating MCC, aiding in the early detection and differentiation from other skin lesions. Further prospective case-control studies are needed to validate these results.

External Validation of the IHS4-55 in a European Antibiotic-Treated Hidradenitis Suppurativa Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Previously, a new dichotomous outcome was developed, calculated as 55% reduction in the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa 4 (IHS4-55) score. It was validated in datasets of adalimumab and placebo-treated HS patients. External validation is an important aspect of clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to externally validate the novel dichotomous IHS4-55 in a non-biologic treated dataset of HS patients. METHODS: Data from a previously published European-wide prospective clinical study of antibiotic treatment of HS patients were used to assess the association of IHS4-55 achievement with individual reduction in inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and draining tunnels. Moreover, the associations between IHS4-55 positivity and achievement of the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) Pain, and NRS Pruritus were analyzed. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 283 individual patients, of which 36.4% (103/283) were treated with clindamycin and rifampicin and 63.6% (180/283) with tetracyclines for 12 weeks. Achievers of the IHS4-55 demonstrated a significant reduction the counts of inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and draining tunnels (all p < 0.001). Additionally, IHS4-55 achievers had an odds ratio for achieving the MCID of DLQI, NRS Pain, and NRS Pruritus of 2.16 (95% CI 1.28-3.65, p < 0.01), 1.79 (95% CI 1.10-2.91, p < 0.05), and 1.95 (95% CI 1.18-3.22, p < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the external validity of the novel IHS4-55 by demonstrating a significant association between IHS4-55 achievement and a reduction in inflammatory lesion counts as well as achievement of MCIDs for DLQI, NRS Pain, and NRS Pruritus in an antibiotic-treated cohort. These findings support the use of the IHS4-55 as a novel primary outcome measure in clinical trials.

Quality of life measurement in vitiligo. Position statement of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes with external experts.

Members of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Task Force on Quality of Life (QoL) and Patient Oriented Outcomes reviewed the instruments available for health-related (HR) QoL assessment in vitiligo and together with external vitiligo experts (including representatives of the EADV Vitiligo Task Force) have made practical recommendations concerning the assessment of QoL in vitiligo patients. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was the most frequently used HRQoL instrument, making comparison of results between different countries possible. Several vitiligo-specific instruments were identified. The vitiligo Impact Scale (VIS) is an extensively validated vitiligo-specific HRQoL instrument with proposed minimal important change and clinical interpretation for VIS-22 scores. VIS-22 was developed for use in India, where there are some specific cultural beliefs concerning vitiligo. The EADV Task Force on QoL and Patient Oriented Outcomes recommends use of the DLQI and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) as dermatology-specific instruments in vitiligo. There is a strong need for a valid (including cross-cultural validation) vitiligo-specific instrument that can be either a new instrument or the improvement of existing instruments. This validation must include the proof of responsiveness.

Childhood Acute Urticaria and Seasonal Patterns Presenting in the Emergency Department of a Teaching Hospital in London, United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical presentation, possible trigger factors and seasonality of acute urticaria (AU) in children referred to the emergency department in a teaching hospital in London, United Kingdom. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study. One hundred and sixty-three consecutive patients younger than 18 years with the diagnosis of AU who attended accident and emergency department from January 2018 until January 2020 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, United Kingdom, were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were performed using IBM SPSS 25. RESULTS: In total, 163 patients younger than 18 years, 82 (50.3%) boys and 81 (49.7%) girls. The median age of patients with AU was 4 years (interquartile range, 6 years). In 120 of (73.6%) 163 patients, there was no clear trigger of AU, in 17 (10.4%) of 163 patients, upper respiratory infection was considered as a potential trigger of AU, followed by food in 14 (8.6%) cases, medications in 9 (5.5%) cases, hymenoptera sting in 1 (0.6%) case, and contact urticaria 2 (1.2%) cases. Seventeen (10.4%) of the patients were admitted into the hospital as a result of their urticaria. The majority of AU urticaria cases were reported in autumn with 76 (46.6%) cases with most of AU cases occurring in November (34/163, 20.9%). CONCLUSIONS: A total of 163 cases of AU were identified between January 2018 and January 2020. A seasonal trend of AU in autumn was observed. Respiratory infections were found to be the most commonly associated potential trigger of AU cases.

A randomized, single-blinded, vehicle-controlled study of a topical active blend in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Αndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common hair disorder, affecting approximately 50% of men and women. A topical lotion that contains two patented formulas (Redensyl and Sepicontrol A5), has been introduced as an alternative approach to standard therapies for AGA. Forty-four patients with AGA were randomized either to apply the active lotion or the vehicle, twice daily for 24 weeks. Subjects were evaluated at 0, 12, and 24 weeks by clinical examination, photographic documentation, quality of life evaluation (DLQI), and trichogram (anagen-to-telogen ratio). Forty-one patients, 18 males and 23 females, completed the study. Among patients receiving active treatment (n = 26), 7.7% had great improvement, 73.1% had moderate improvement, and 19.2% remained stable. The median self-assessment score increased from 4 at baseline to 6 at 24 weeks (P < .001), while the DLQI improved from 4 to 3, respectively (P < .001). The median anagen-to-telogen ratio increased from 2.25 to 4.00 to 6.02 at weeks 0, 12, and 24, respectively. No significant adverse events were reported. This new topical active blend is effective in the treatment of AGA, with high degree of patients' satisfaction, improvement of quality of life, and an excellent safety profile. Thus, it may represent a useful alternative therapeutic approach for AGA.

Staphylococcus aureus Carriage Status in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: An Observational Cohort Study in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Athens, Greece.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, auto-inflammatory disease that affects the pilosebaceous unit in apocrine gland-bearing areas. Bacteria are thought to play a role in the development and progression of disease. In addition, antibiotics are frequently used as first-line management for HS. We sought to determine the carriage status of Staphylococcus aureus and its resistance to antibiotics among patients with HS in a tertiary referral hospital in Athens, Greece. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, 68 consecutive patients attending the HS clinic of "Attikon" General University Hospital in Athens, Greece, during a 9-month period were enrolled. All patients had not received any antibiotic therapy for any reason during the previous 3 months before enrollment. Nasal and oropharyngeal samplingwere obtained, and specimens were tested for the presence of S. aureus.Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the VITEK 2 system. Standard statistical tests, descriptive statistics tests, and χ2 and Pearson correlation tests were performed, using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.The level of significance was set at a pvalue <0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients with HS were studied. There were 44 females (64.7%) and 24 males (35.3%). The mean age was 36.63 ± 13.0 (IQR = 21), and the mean age at onset of disease was 23.90 ± 11.53 (IQR = 14). The mean duration of disease was 12.74 ± 10.20 years (IQR = 15). Fifteen (22.1%) of the patients were Hurley stage I, 22 (32.4%) were Hurley stage II, and 31 (45.6%) were Hurley stage III. S. aureus carriage was detected in 17 patients (25%). Six of them (35.3%) had MRSA strains. There was an increased prevalence of S. aureus colonization (p = 0.058) and MRSA (p = 0.101) in Hurley stage III patients, but this result was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We found a 25% prevalence of S. aureus colonization (17/68 patients) and a 35.3% prevalence of MRSA (6/17) among our HS patients. There was an increased prevalence of S. aureusand MRSA positivity in HS patients with Hurley stage III. Further studies are needed to clarify the possible clinical significance of S. aureus carriage in the disease development and progression as well as in the treatment outcome.

Five-Membered Nitrogen Heterocycles Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors Induced Angioedema: An Underdiagnosed Condition.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used primarily in the treatment of hypertension, heart failure, and in the acute phase of myocardial infarction. Lisinopril [N2-[(1S)-1-car-boxy-3-phenylpropyl]-L-lysyl-L-proline], enalapril [(S)-1-[N-[1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl]-L-alanyl]-L-proline] and ramipril [2-aza-bicyclo-[3.3.0]-octane-3-carboxylic acid] are all five-membered heterocycles and three of the most prevalent ACE inhibitors in clinical use worldwide. ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema (AE) is clinically characterized by self-limited edema of the dermis and subcutaneous lipid tissue, localized on face skin, oral mucosa and tongue in most cases. However, severe episodes of intestinal AE misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis and laryngeal AE requiring incubation have been reported. The pathophysiology of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema is attributed to the accumulation of bradykinin, which is a potent vasodilator with proinflammatory activity that is normally degraded by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and aminopeptidase P; however, a small proportion of treated patients is affected. Given that patients do not respond to anti-H1 antihistamines and steroids, early clinical recognition and discontinuation of the ACE inhibitors are the treatments of choice for the long-term management of ACE inhibitor- induced angioedema. The search period of the present review was set up until November 2023, and its aim is to shed light on the broader context of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema, exploring aspects such as clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and therapeutic considerations in this potentially life-threatening condition. The exploration of alternative drug options such as angiotensin II receptor blockers, the potential association of coadministration of DPP-4 inhibitors with ACE inhibitors, the presentation of angioedema and the significant clinical importance of this condition are also discussed. By focusing on the chemical structure of ACE inhibitors, specifically their nitrogen-based heterocycles-an attribute shared by over 880 drugs approved by the FDA within the pharmaceutical industry-this review emphasizes the pivotal role of nitrogen scaffolds in drug design and underscores their relevance in ACE inhibitor pharmacology.

Nimesulide-Induced Fixed Drug Eruption Followed by Etoricoxib-Induced Fixed Drug Eruption: An Unusual Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a well-recognized, non-immediate, drug hypersensitivity reaction, often attributed to the use of various medications, most commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics. Cross-reactivity between related NSAIDs in FDE has been reported, but among chemically unrelated NSAIDs, is rare. Herein, we present a rare well-documented case where a patient initially displayed tolerance to etoricoxib after experiencing a nimesulide-induced FDE. Subsequently, the patient developed an etoricoxib-induced FDE, accompanied by the development of bullous lesions. This case report and the literature review on comparable FDE occurrences shed light on the intricate nature of FDEs, suggesting the possibility of cross-reactivity between chemically related and unrelated NSAIDs or the emergence of new drug-specific T cells without cross-reactivity after multiple exposures to a drug in a susceptible patient. Our case underscores the importance of increased awareness and vigilance among both physicians and patients in the realm of personalized medicine. Further research is needed to unravel the intricate mechanisms behind these drug eruptions, improve diagnostic approaches, and enhance patient care.

Color Analysis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Comparative Study with Cherry Angiomas, Hemangiomas, Basal Cell Carcinomas, and Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is recognized as one of the most malignant skin tumors. Its rarity might explain the limited exploration of digital color studies in this area. The objective of this study was to delineate color alterations in MCCs compared to benign lesions resembling MCC, such as cherry angiomas and hemangiomas, along with other non-melanoma skin cancer lesions like basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), utilizing computer-aided digital color analysis. This was a retrospective study where clinical images of the color of the lesion and adjacent normal skin from 11 patients with primary MCC, 11 patients with cherry angiomas, 12 patients with hemangiomas, and 12 patients with BCC/SCC (totaling 46 patients) were analyzed using the RGB (red, green, and blue) and the CIE Lab color system. The Lab color system aided in estimating the Individual Typology Angle (ITA) change in the skin, and these results are documented in this study. It was demonstrated that the estimation of color components can assist in the differential diagnosis of these types of lesions because there were significant differences in color parameters between MCC and other categories of skin lesions such as hemangiomas, common skin carcinomas, and cherry hemangiomas. Significant differences in values were observed in the blue color of RGB (p = 0.003) and the b* parameter of Lab color (p < 0.0001) of MCC versus cherry angiomas. Similarly, the mean a* value of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) compared to basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). Larger prospective studies are warranted to further validate the clinical application of these findings.

Antimicrobial Resistance Trends in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Lesions.

Background/Objectives: Antibiotic (AB) therapy is the first step in managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Knowledge of the local patterns of antimicrobial resistance is paramount for the appropriate selection of antimicrobials. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in patients with HS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 patients with HS seen at the Dermatology Department at the University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, from January 2019 to December 2023, who were not on any antibiotics in the last three months. Results: A total of 103 patients with HS participated in this study. Purulent material from 139 skin lesions of these patients was swabbed, and 79.86% (111/139) tested positive for bacteria. Gram-positive isolates accounted for 73%, whereas Gram-negative isolates comprised 27%. Among the isolates, 85.1% were aerobes, and 14.9% were anaerobic. The most common bacterial families isolated were Staphylococcaceae (48.27%), Enterobacteriaceae (14.94%), and Streptococcaceae (6.89%). The antibiogram profiles of bacterial cultures revealed a 57.1% resistance to levofloxacin and a 53.3% resistance to penicillin in Staphylococcus lugdunensis, whereas Staphylococcus aureus showed a 76.9% resistance to penicillin and a 58.3% resistance to fusidic acid. High resistance rates of 63.5% for tigecycline, 63.3% for ampicillin, and 40.5% for colistin were observed for Gram-negative isolates. Resistances of 62.5%, 61.5%, and 53.8% to erythromycin, clindamycin, and penicillin, respectively, were observed in the anaerobes. Conclusions: Patients with HS displayed considerable resistance to bacterial proliferation. The revised therapeutic guidelines for HS should incorporate the latest insights into bacterial antibiotic resistance.

Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Practices in Alopecia Areata in Two Mediterranean Countries: A Survey-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: Alopecia areata (AA) affects approximately 2% of the general population and is associated with significant psychosocial morbidity and poor health-related quality of life. Despite the high incidence of the disease the available clinical practice guidelines to help clinicians and improve patients' care are very poor and of a low methodological quality, as compared to other high-burden dermatoses. The aim of this survey is to capture the current clinical practice in AA management, as performed by dermatologists, in two Mediterranean countries to identify potential disparities and gaps in diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A 50-item questionnaire was created in the English language and then translated into Greek and Italian language and sent to the Greek and Italian dermatologists via email. RESULTS: A total of 490 dermatologists from Italy and 234 from Greece participated in the survey. The diagnosis of AA is usually based on history and clinical examination, supported by trichoscopy. The rate of use of severity scores and scales to evaluate impact on quality of life by dermatologists was low. Treatment of patchy AA, in both adult and pediatric populations, is based on use of topical steroids as first-line treatment. Results on special site involvement (eyebrows, beard, and ophiasis), chronic cases, and the pediatric population highlight extreme heterogeneity in treatment approach. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that management of AA, in terms of diagnosis and treatment, is still challenging.

Association between Inflammatory Markers and Psychometric Scores in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a significant impact on the quality of life of affected patients. This study aimed to correlate serum inflammatory markers with specific tools assessing quality of life, emotional well-being, and loneliness, such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Methods: A pilot observational study including 37 patients with HS was conducted. Inflammatory serum markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), were evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months later. Psychometric scores were also evaluated at the same study intervals. Results: DLQI was correlated with ESR at baseline (Spearman's rho = 0.35, p = 0.03), indicating that poorer quality of life is associated with changes in this serum marker. Disease activity, as reflected by inflammatory markers, was associated with significant psychological burden. Specifically, a worse DLQI score was associated with higher ESR (estimate ß = 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05-0.22; p = 0.001) and higher CRP level (estimate ß = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.02-0.48; p = 0.02). Similarly, a worse UCLA score was associated with higher ESR (estimate ß = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02-0.20, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our study results underline the close relation between systemic inflammatory markers and clinical severity together with psychological burden in HS patients, as indicated by the significant association that was revealed between ESR/CRP and poorer psychometric scores. However, further research is warranted to validate these findings.

Use of Dermoscopy among Greek Dermatologists in Everyday Clinical Practice: A National Questionnaire-Based Study.

Background: Dermatoscopy has been established as an important diagnostic tool for a wide range of skin diseases. This study aims to evaluate the use of dermatoscopy in clinical practice among Greek dermatologists. Methods: A nationwide questionnaire-based survey was conducted collecting data on the frequency of dermatoscopic examinations, the types of lesions examined, training and educational resources, as well as factors influencing the choice to incorporate dermatoscopy into daily clinical routines. Results: A total of 366 Greek dermatologists participated in the survey. Most of the respondents reported the daily use of dermatoscopy in their practice. Pigmented and non-pigmented lesions, inflammatory diseases, cutaneous infectious, hair disorders, and nail lesions were the most common indications for dermatoscopy. Factors influencing the utilization of dermatoscopy included increased diagnostic accuracy, enhanced patient care, better patient communication and general compliance, and improved satisfaction among dermatologists. Conclusions: This national questionnaire-based study demonstrates that dermatoscopy has become an integral part of daily dermatological practice in Greece. The findings highlight the significance of structured training and education to promote dermoscopy's effective and routine use. Incorporating dermatoscopy into clinical practice not only improves diagnostic precision but also enhances patient care, contributing to the overall quality of dermatological services in Greece.

A narrative review of management of wounds in palliative care setting.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A chronic wound is one that is physiologically compromised as a result of a disturbance of the wound-healing cycle brought on by, among other parameters, poor angiogenesis, innervation, or cellular migration. Given the high frequency and incidence rates of different wound categories in clinical practice in the setting of chronically ill patients, wound management is becoming an increasingly important component and pillar of the overall care of patients with terminal illnesses. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide an overview and evaluation of the assessment methods and management of chronic wounds in the clinical practice of palliative care. METHODS: Papers on the management of wounds in palliative care have been retrieved using PubMed to July 2023. The search terms used included "wounds", "ulcers", "palliative care", "palliative management", and "end of life". KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: The review highlights the importance of early palliative care referral and total pain management in the management of wounds. Patients with wounds often report multiple symptoms, and pain is one of the most common and distressing among them. Despite the availability of multiple guidelines about treatment to relieve pain, almost half of all cancer patients still receive inappropriate care for pain. The review also discusses the etiology of pain and provides strategies for managing the painful wound once it has been identified. The greatest need today in the treatment of chronic wounds is consensus-based knowledge vetted by practical experience and backed up by scientific evidence, which is easily communicated and available to all wound care practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: High-quality research together with wound care practice that leads to the best outcomes might include pain reduction, exudate management, odor management, and/or other quality-of-life benefits to wound care. There is a need for specialized palliative care teams to manage expectations throughout the process while maintaining hope.

Acute Localized Exanthematous Pustulosis (ALEP) Caused by Topical Application of Minoxidil.

Acute Localized Exanthematous Pustulosis (ALEP) is a rare skin reaction characterized by the sudden onset of multiple, small, sterile, non-follicular pustules in an erythematous and edematous base succeeding systemic drug administration. ALEP is considered a subtype of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP), although the exact pathogenic mechanism of the disease remains poorly defined. Numerous drugs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ALEP, while contact mechanisms have also been reported. Herein, we describe the first case of ALEP attributed to minoxidil in a female patient with androgenetic alopecia. The positivity of patch tests and the topical application of minoxidil proposes a contact-induced hypersensitivity reaction. Identifying new agents-including minoxidil-which serve as inducers of drug-specific T-cell-mediated responses in the clinical spectrum of ALEP, adds further value in understanding the complex, yet unknown, pathophysiological mechanisms of this rare drug hypersensitivity reaction.