Successful Treatment of Painful Cutaneous Vasculopathy With Rivaroxaban in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) medications have revolutionized hematology and cardiology. Recently, NOACs have demonstrated additional promise in dermatology. Specifically, rivaroxaban, a direct factor Xa inhibitor NOAC, has been shown to be successful in the treatment of livedoid vasculopathy. Herein, we describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with painful cutaneous vasculopathy, demonstrated on biopsy with occlusive microvascular fibrin thrombi without evidence of concurrent vasculitis. Interestingly, imaging and laboratory studies did not show evidence of hypercoagulability, arterial disease, or embolic disease. The patient’s vasculopathy and pain progressed despite antiplatelet therapy, often considered first-line in cases of microvascular occlusive disease. However, with rivaroxaban therapy, the patient experienced complete regression of her painful lesions, thereby supporting a further role for NOACs in cutaneous vasculopathy treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(5) doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.4684.

Nonconventional Use of Flash-Lamp Pulsed-Dye Laser in Dermatology.

Flash-lamp pulsed-dye laser (FPDL) is a nonablative technology, typically used in vascular malformation therapy due to its specificity for hemoglobin. FPDL treatments were performed in a large group of patients with persistent and/or recalcitrant different dermatological lesions with cutaneous microvessel involvement. In particular, 149 patients (73 males and 76 females) were treated. They were affected by the following dermatological disorders: angiokeratoma circumscriptum, genital and extragenital viral warts, striae rubrae, basal cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, angiolymphoid hyperplasia, and Jessner-Kanof disease. They all underwent various laser sessions. 89 patients (59.7%) achieved excellent clearance, 32 patients (21.4%) achieved good-moderate clearance, 19 patients (12.7%) obtained slight clearance, and 9 subjects (6.1%) had low or no removal of their lesion. In all cases, FPDL was found to be a safe and effective treatment for the abovementioned dermatological lesions in which skin microvessels play a role in pathogenesis or development. Further and single-indication studies, however, are required to assess a standardized and reproducible method for applying this technology to "off-label" indications.

Cutaneous Collagenous Vasculopathy: A Rare Form of Microangiopathy Successfully Treated with a Combination of Multiplex Laser and Optimized Pulsed Light with a Review of the Literature.

Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy (CCV) is a rare idiopathic microangiopathy of the cutaneous vasculature characterized histologically by the presence of dilated small blood vessels with flat endothelial cells and thickened walls containing hyaline material in the upper dermis. We report an elderly patient presenting with an extensive form of CCV involving the trunk, upper and lower limbs. She was treated with Multiplex PDL 595-nm/Nd:YAG 1,064-nm laser and optimized pulsed light. This approach, which has never been reported for CCV so far, resulted in a striking and almost complete clearance of the widespread lesions. We here review our knowledge about CCV and therapeutic options available with a survey of the literature.

A rare case of cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy.

Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy is a rare microangiopathy first described by Salama and Rosenthal in 2000. Several cases have been reported to date, describing distinct histological findings of thick hyaline collagenous blood vessel walls in the superficial dermis. Clinical confusion can arise with generalised essential telangiectasia. We report a case occurring in a 76-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of a telangiectatic rash progressing from her knees upwards. The diagnosis was confirmed on skin biopsy and treatment with pulsed dye laser was later initiated at the patient's request.

Intense Pulsed Light Pulse Configuration Manipulation Can Resolve the Classic Conflict Between Safety and Efficacy.

The widely used intense pulse light (IPL) technology was first commercially launched to the medical market in 1994 and similar to lasers, is based on the basic principle of selective photothermolysis. The main conflict during treatments with light-based technologies is between safety and efficacy of the treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate new IPL technology, which integrates three different pulse configurations, with specific attention on the safety and efficacy of the treatment. 101 volunteers (with Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI) were treated as follows: 9 patients underwent 8 bi-weekly acne clearance treatments, 51 patients underwent 6-12 hair removal treatments, 11 patients were treated for general skin rejuvenation, 15 patients were treated for pigmentation lesions, and 15 patients were treated for vascular lesions. No serious adverse events were recorded. All patients that were treated for hair removal achieved significant hair clearance. The patients with facial rosacea responded the fastest to the treatment. Eight of nine patients that were treated for acne clearance achieved significant reduction in acne appearance. The results represented in this study support the approach that when taking into consideration both efficacy of the treatment and safety of the patients, the system should be "flexible" enough to allow exact treatment settings profile for each patient, according to their skin type and the symptom's biophysical characteristics. <

[A rare side effect of mesotherapy: Nicolau syndrome]. / Un effet indésirable rare de la mésothérapie : la dermite de Nicolau.

BACKGROUND: Nicolau's livedoid dermatitis is associated with drug-induced embolism in the cutaneous arterial bed, generally as a result of accidental intra-arterial injection. Herein, we report a case that is somewhat surprising because of its late onset following mesotherapy injections. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old man, with a history solely of tendinopathy for which he underwent mesotherapy sessions, consulted for livedoid lesions of the front of the knee with central necrosis. History-taking revealed a final course of mesotherapy three weeks earlier for patellar tendinitis below the left kneecap; intradermal injection of procaine and piroxicam had been unusually and intensely painful. The remainder of the clinical examination revealed additional livedoid lesions on the outside of the left ankle as well as purpuric lesions on the pads of the toes on the left foot. Laboratory tests revealed nothing of note. Skin biopsies of the livedoid circumference of the lesion showed arteriolar emboli of an amorphous material within the dermis obliterating the arteriolar lumen. The clinical appearance of skin lesions after mesotherapy led us to a diagnosis of Nicolau livedoid dermatitis. DISCUSSION: Nicolau dermatitis is a rare skin complication described as occurring mainly as a result of intramuscular injections. The reported case is special because it comprises Nicolau dermatitis arising out of a session of mesotherapy employing an intradermal injection. However, there are only very few cases in which subcutaneous injections have induced Nicolau dermatitis. The pathophysiology is not well known, but several mechanisms are involved: arterial ischaemia by vasospasm or thrombosis. In this case, the semiotic appearance of the lesions and histological analysis militate in favour of accidental injection of a skin product into an arteriole, resulting in obliteration of the latter. Mesotherapy can induce Nicolau dermatitis.

Clinicopathologic review of eruptive pseudoangiomatosis in Korean adults: report of 32 cases.

BACKGROUND: Eruptive pseudoangiomatosis (EP) is a rare, benign, spontaneously regressing exanthema of unknown etiology, characterized by an eruption of distinctive erythematous papules. This study was performed to evaluate the etiologic, clinical, and histopathologic characteristics of EP in Koreans. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with EP during 2005-2010 were included in a retrospective study. Diagnoses were based on clinical findings and confirmed by histology. Biopsies were re-examined. Patient gender, age at onset, disease duration, lesion location, season of occurrence, concomitant diseases, occupation, previous related events, disease course, responses to treatment, and laboratory findings were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were identified. Mean age at onset was 50.06 ± 17.12 years. Two patients developed lesions after outdoor activities. Two patients presented with simultaneous occurrences in family members. One patient reported having taken herbal medicine. One subject experienced systemic contact dermatitis caused by eating a lacquer chicken dish just before the lesions developed. All patients had typical erythematous papules measuring 2-5 mm. Lesions were usually located on exposed sites. No prodromal or systemic symptoms were observed. Routine laboratory tests were within normal ranges, except in one patient with known hyperlipidemia. Most patients were treated with oral antihistamine and topical steroid, or oral prednisolone. Eight patients did not receive any treatment. Mean disease duration was 1.64 ± 1.41 months in the treatment group and 1.20 ± 1.24 months in the no-treatment group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Any clear relationship between EP and exposure to allergens or insect bites has yet to be elucidated. In patients in whom EP occurs on non-exposed sites, drugs and food should be considered as possible causative agents. Intravascular neutrophil infiltration on histology can be helpful in diagnosing EP.

Unilateral presentation of pseudo-Kaposi's acroangiodermatitis--a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

INTRODUCTION: Acroangiodermatitis is a rare skin disease characterised by hyperplasia of pre-existing vasculature due to venous hypertension from severe chronic venous stasis. Clinical appearance of this condition is often similar to Kaposi sarcoma and is creating serious differential diagnostic difficulties. CASE REPORT: A patient with acroangiodermatitis was presented and the differential diagnosis discussed. Examination of the patella of the affected area showed grayish-blue to brown infiltrates and reduced elasticity, located in the supra- and infrapatellar regions. Clinically, Kaposi's sarcoma was suspected. Histopathologically there were acanthosis and compact hyperkeratosis. The underlying papillary dermis showed fibrosis and edema. A subepidermal lobular vascular proliferation with hemosiderin deposition was also noted. This consisted of multiple newly formed capillaries, featuring small blood vessels with dilated, rounded lumina. Serologies for HIV and Borrelia burgdorferi were negative, as was a HHV-8 PCR in lesional tissue. Doppler analysis of the vessels of the extremities showed chronic venous insufficiency, insufficiency of v. perforantes, insufficiency of the Cockett II-III. No deep thromboses in the area of the shank and thigh were found. Initially, treatment consisted of clindamycin 600 mg 3 times per day, intravenously, during a 2-week period. After that the treatment was continued with prednisolone, 30 mg daily in combination with furosemide 40 mg/day, as well as lymph drainage and adequate compression therapy. The consequent clinical improvement allowed the patient to be discharged from the clinic. CONCLUSION: The most important differential diagnostic marker in distinguishing between acroangiodermatitis and Kaposi sarcoma seems to be the confirmation of the presence of genetic material of HHV-8 in the affected skin areas in patients with Kaposi sarcoma.

Long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatment of venous lakes: report of a series of 34 cases.

BACKGROUND: Some venous lakes do not respond well to traditional vascular lasers. The Nd:YAG laser output at 1,064 nm is less well absorbed by hemoglobin but penetrates more deeply into tissue. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the long-pulsed Nd:YAG on venous lakes. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive adult patients presenting with a venous lake were studied. Four patients had failed to respond to polidocanol 1% sclerotherapy, and 1 patient to pulsed dye laser. Long-pulsed Nd:YAG was administered via a water-cooled tip. Either a 3-mm spot at 250 J/cm(2) and 55 ms or a 5-mm spot at 140 to 180 J/cm(2) was used depending on the size of the lesion. Clinical end points were characterized by hardening of the lesion, central blackening, minimal whitening of the periphery, and in most cases, an audible popping sound. Responses were assessed visually in 50% of cases or by phone contact in the remaining 50% if the lesion had completely disappeared. One patient was lost to follow-up. RESULTS: After a single treatment, 94% cleared completely; incomplete clearance occurred in 6%. There were no reported complications. CONCLUSIONS: The long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser is highly effective treatment for venous lakes of the lip and cheeks.

Livedoid vasculopathy: long-term follow-up results following hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

BACKGROUND: Livedoid vasculopathy, also known as atrophie blanche, is a recurrent painful vasculopathy appearing mostly on the lower limbs. Treatment is challenging and relapses are frequent. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the long-term effect and safety of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in treating livedoid vasculopathy. METHODS: Twelve patients with active livedoid vasculopathy were included in this study. All patients underwent HBO therapy five times a week. Each week photographs were taken and the total dose of analgesics was recorded. Side-effects were documented and assessed. Recurrence was defined as the presence of skin ulceration. RESULTS: Of the eight patients who completed the treatment, resumption of ambulation and reduction of analgesics were achieved at an average of 4.9 HBO therapy sessions. Leg ulcers in all eight patients healed completely at a mean of 3.4 weeks (range 2-5 weeks). Six patients suffered relapses of ulceration and responded to additional HBO therapy. No significant side-effects were found. CONCLUSIONS: HBO is a relatively safe, fast and effective method to treat patients with livedoid vasculopathy.

Laser treatment of vascular lesions.

Lasers and other light sources have been developed that remove or improve many vascular lesions that were previously untreatable. Port-wine stains are the most notable example. Vascular lasers and light sources represent a major advance in dermatology for cosmetic and non-cosmetic applications. This article reviews the common vascular conditions amenable to laser therapy and the approaches and devices used.

Role of laser therapy in dermatology -- clinical aspects.

BACKGROUND: Laser therapy has become an integral part of therapeutic alternatives in dermatology. Nevertheless, there are only few statistical data on the role of lasers in everyday practice of dermatological clinics. OBJECTIVE: Analysis of laser patients, indications and lasers used. METHODS: We analysed 10244 patients treated with laser therapy in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Regensburg from 1992 to 2000. This figure represents 9.6 % of all patients seen during that period. RESULTS: Vascular lesions (hemangiomas, port-wine stains, telangiectasias) represented the most common indication (more than 70%) followed by infectious disorders (mostly papillomavirus lesions) as well as the removal of hairs and tattoos. Accordingly, the most frequently used laser was the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (585 nm) followed by the argon ion, the long-pulse tunable flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser, the Q-switch ruby laser, and the CO(2)-laser. In recent years, the percentage of indications and lasers used has changed significantly, reflecting the development of new lasers and the introduction of new indications. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the important role of laser therapy in dermatology.

Livedoid vasculitis responding to PUVA therapy.

BACKGROUND: Livedoid vasculitis is a chronic disorder manifested as recurrent, painful, reticulated, and ulcerative lesions of the legs, which result in ivory atrophic scars with peripheral telangiectasia and hyperpigmentation. Its etiology remains obscure and therapy is difficult. In this study, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) therapy and its side-effects in the treatment of livedoid vasculitis. METHODS: Eight South Korean patients with livedoid vasculitis were treated with UVA and 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP). Systemic PUVA was started with 4 J/cm2 of UVA two or three times a week, and then the dose was increased by 0.5 or 1 J/cm2 increments at each subsequent treatment as tolerated. The effects of treatment were evaluated using photographs of before, during, and after the study. RESULTS: All patients experienced rapid cessation of new lesion formation, significant symptom relief, and complete healing of primary lesions. The mean times for each of the above were 3.6, 5.9, and 10 weeks, and the mean cumulative doses of UVA for each of the above were 55.9, 96.8, and 197.9 J/cm2, respectively. The patients tolerated PUVA therapy well without unacceptable side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that systemic PUVA using 8-MOP should be investigated further as an alternative treatment for patients with livedoid vasculitis.

Livedo reticularis and livedoid vasculitis responding to PUVA therapy.

Livedo reticularis is a mottled blue discoloration of the skin, which occurs in a netlike pattern. Livedoid vasculitis is a chronic disorder clinically manifested by recurrent painful ulcerations of the lower extremities and is characterized by the presence of smooth or depressed ivory-white lesions surrounded by hyperpigmentation and telangiectasia. We describe two patients with livedo reticularis and livedoid vasculitis who responded to PUVA therapy and propose that systemic PUVA with methoxsalen undergo further investigation as an alternative therapy for drug-resistant patients with livedo reticularis and livedoid vasculitis.

Laser treatment for an unusual reactive vascular proliferation.

An unusual case of severe vascular proliferation presenting in the form of haemorrhaging cutaneous lesions on the leg is reported. The similarity between these benign lesions and various malignancies is outlined. The patient healed well when the lesions were excised using a laser under local anaesthetic.