Pigmented transverse nasal band: A review.

Pigmented transverse nasal band/groove is an asymptomatic benign condition, characterized by the development of erythematous to hyperpigmented, well-demarcated, transverse groove at the junction of middle and lower two-third of the nasal dorsum. Although the pathogenesis is unclear, embryologic origin seems to be the most plausible hypothesis. This condition is often associated other related dermatological conditions such as milia, comedones, seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Diagnosis is mostly clinical, while reassurance is the mainstay of therapy. In persistent cases, topical retinoids have been used. In this article, we have reviewed the different aspects of this condition including treatment, along with the recent updates to create awareness about this dermatological entity.

Dermoscopy and patch testing in patients with lichen planus pigmentosus on face: A cross-sectional observational study in fifty Indian patients.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a common cause of facial melanosis in the dark-skinned population. At present, information on dermoscopy and patch testing in LPP is limited. OBJECTIVES: To describe dermoscopic findings and study the role of patch testing in patients with LPP on the face. METHODS: Facial lesions of 50 patients with LPP were studied dermoscopically, followed by histological evaluation. Patch and photopatch tests with the Indian Standard Series and Scandinavian series, respectively, and patient's own cosmetics were performed on all patients. RESULTS: The most common dermoscopic finding was dots and/or globules (43/50, 86%) in different patterns: hem-like (20.9%), arcuate (18.6%), incomplete reticular (39.5%), complete reticular (7%), and not otherwise specified (14%). Other patterns were exaggerated pseudoreticular pattern, accentuation of pigmentation around follicular openings, targetoid appearance, and obliteration of the pigmentary network. There were 26 relevant patch tests in 17 (34%) patients: para-phenylenediamine (n = 5), nickel (n = 3), colophony, perfume mix and fragrance mix (n = 2 each), thiuram mix and 3,3,4,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (n = 1 each), and patients' own products (n = 9). The only positive photopatch test was to fentichlor. No clinical or histological finding differed significantly based on patch test results. The only dermoscopic finding to be statistically associated with a positive patch test was the non-characteristic arrangement of dots/globules (P = 0.042). LIMITATIONS: Dermoscopic features were not correlated with clinical features or disease duration. Implications of patch testing on the management of LPP cannot be commented upon as ours was a cross-sectional study. CONCLUSIONS: The present study describes the dermoscopic findings of facial lesions in LPP. Our patch test results suggest a probable role of allergens in causing LPP on the face.

Spectrum of periorbital dermatoses in South Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Periorbital dermatoses are very common dermatological disorders which pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the treating dermatologist due to the similarity of symptoms in this area. AIMS: To study the spectrum of periorbital dermatoses and to assess the association of systemic diseases with periorbital dermatoses. METHODS: This was a hospital based descriptive study done on 250 consecutive patients irrespective of their age and sex who attended the Dermatology out patient department (OPD), with dermatological conditions pertaining to the periorbital area over a period of 2 years from October 2010 to September 2012. RESULTS: The most common dermatological conditions seen in the periorbital region were benign and malignant skin tumors observed in 63 (25.2%) cases, followed by the disorders of pigmentation in 51 (20.4%) and eczema in 44 cases (17.6%), infections in 33 (13.2%) cases and nevoid conditions in 26 (10.4%) cases. Certain periorbital dermatoses were significantly more in females than in males in the present study like skin tags, connective tissue diseases, and periorbital melanosis (POM). Some periorbital dermatoses were significantly more common in older age group such as seborrheic keratoses, skin tags and airborne contact dermatitis whereas infections, syringomas, allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis were more prevalent in younger age group. Syringomas and POM were more common in middle-aged women. CONCLUSIONS: The most common dermatological condition seen in the periorbital region in this study are benign skin tumors (keratosis and skin tags), followed by the disorders of pigmentation and eczema, infections and nevoid conditions.