Profile of skin biopsies and patterns of skin cancer in a tertiary care center of Western Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Skin biopsy is the method to assist clinicians to make definite dermatological diagnosis which further helps in holistic management. Skin cancers are relatively rare clinical diagnosis in developing countries like Nepal, but the prevalence is on rise. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the profile of skin biopsies and frequencies and pattern of skin cancers in a tertiary care centre of Western Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials consisted of 434 biopsies (1.37%) out of 31,450 OPD visits performed in the Department of Dermatology, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal, during the period of Dec 2011-Nov 2014. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS-16 with reference to incidence, age, sex, race and clinical and histopathological features. RESULTS: The commonest disorders observed in biopsies were papulosquamous lesions, skin tuberculosis of different types, benign skin tumors, leprosy, collagen and fungal diseases. Viral diseases were rarely seen, probably due to straight forward clinical diagnosis. Dermatological malignancies accounted for 55/434 (12.67%) of biopsies. Skin disorders in general were commoner in females 280/434 (64%), including malignancies 32/55(58.2%). Mean age of patients with skin cancer was 54.5 years. Facilities for proper laboratory investigation of dermatological disorders will improve the quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent lesion in skin biopsies was papulosquamous disorders followed by skin tuberculosis of different types. Dermatological malignancy constituted 55/434 (12.67%) cases. The prevalence of skin malignancy is on rise in Nepalese society probably due to increase in life expectancy and better diagnostic services.

Características clínico-epidemiológicas del fenómeno de lucio en la cátedra de dermatología del hospital de clínicas de Asunción-Paraguay. Estudio de 8 años / No disponible

Introducción: El Fenómeno de Lucio (FL), reacción cutánea grave y distintiva mediada por inmunocomplejos, es una afección cutánea necrosante que ocurre en pacientes portadores de Lepra no nodular [1]. La forma difusa de lepra se produce en aquellos pacientes con poca o nula resistencia a la infección. La literatura revisada muestra inadecuado uso de esta definición. Muchos autores identifican como FL las reacciones vasculonecróticas que ocurren en formas distintas a la Lepra difusa [2]. Objetivos: General: Conocer las características epidemiológicas y clínicas del FL en el Hospital de Clínicas de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción (HC, FCM-UNA). Específicos:1. Establecer las características epidemiológicas de la población en estudio; 2. Describir el número y características clínicas del FL; 3. Describir el tipo de tratamiento impartido y evolución. Material y Método: Diseño: Retrospectivo, observacional de corte transversal. El estudio se lleva a cabo en la Cátedra de Dermatología del HC, FCM-UNA, entre enero de 2003 y octubre de 2011. Criterios de inclusión: Todos los pacientes con Leprorracciones de tipo FL diagnosticados clínicamente y con confirmación anatomopatológica. Criterios de exclusión: Pacientes con Lepra que no hagan leprorreacción de tipo FL o que no tengan confirmación anatomo-patológica. Fuentes de información: Historias clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de lepra, con reacciones tipo FL. Resultados: El total de pacientes con lepra del HC, FCM-UNA fue de 311, y de éstos, 52 (16.8%) presentaron leprorreacciones de los cuales 8 fueron de tipo FL(2.5% del total y 15.4% de las leprorreacciones). Predominio de pacientes de sexo masculino procedentes del medio urbano. La mayor franja etaria afectada es la de 70 a 80 años, presentando esta reacción previa al tratamiento antibacilar y por ende representando el debut de su enfermedad de base. El IB osciló de 1 a 6+. En la mayoría de los casos se inició tratamiento MB-OMS y prednisona, con buena evolución. El óbito fue el desenlace en uno de los casos. Conclusiones: Varios autores llaman FL a las reacciones vasculonecróticas (VN) que se presentan en otras formas de la lepra diferentes a la forma difusa, debido a que reacciones VN se describen en pacientes MB con formas diferentes a la lepra difusa (reacciones tipo II: eritema nodoso leproso o ENL), por lo que presentamos este estudio de pacientes con criterios estrictos, clínicos y anatomopatológicos de FL. Es de presentación infrecuente y el diagnóstico diferencial debe incluir vasculitis y vasculopatías de otras etiologías para hacer un diagnóstico correcto, evitando retrasos en el tratamiento y desenlaces fatales (AU)

Introduction: Lucio phenomenon (LP), severe and distinctive skin reaction mediated by immune complexes, is a necrotizing skin condition that occurs in patients with non nodular leprosy [1]. The diffuse form of leprosy occurs in patients with little or no resistance to infection. The literature reviewed shows improper use of this definition. Many authors have identified as LP, vasculonecrotic reactions (VN) that occur in non diffuse leprosy [2]. Objectives: General: To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the LP at the Clinicas Hospital of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción (CH, FMC-NUA). Specific: 1. To establish the epidemiological characteristics of the study population, 2. Describe the number and clinical characteristics of LP; 3. Describe the type of treatment given and outcome. Methods: Design: Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional. The study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology of CH, FMC-NUA, between January 2003 and October 2011. Inclusion criteria: All patients with LP diagnosed clinically and with pathologic confirmation. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with Leprosy reactions different from LP and without tanatomo-pathological confirmation. Information sources: Clinical records of patients with clinical diagnosis of leprosy with LP. Results: The total number of leprosy patients was 311, and of these, 52 presented reactions and 8 were LP (2,5%). Predominance of male patients from the urban environment. Most affected age group was between 70 and 80 years, with this reaction before antibacilartreatment and thus represents the debut of their underlying disease. The BI was between 1 and 6+. In most cases, treatment was begun with MB-WHO and prednisone, with good evolution. The death was the outcome in one case. Conclusions: Several authors call LP to other vasculonecrotic reactions (VN) that occur in other forms of leprosy than the diffuse form, because VN reactions are described in MB patients with different forms of leprosy diffuse (type II reactions: eryhthemanodosum), so we present this study of patients with strict criteria, clinical and pathological of LP Presentation is uncommon and differential diagnosis should include vasculitis and vascular disease of other etiologies for making a correct diagnosis, avoiding delays in treatment and fatal outcomes (AU)