Interest of the association retinaldehyde/glycolic acid in adult acne.

BACKGROUND: Topical retinoids have been successfully used in the treatment of acne vulgaris but may induce irritation when used twice daily. The association of retinaldehyde (RAL) with glycolic acid (GA) have complementary activities, which could be of interest for adult women with acne because of a better tolerance/efficacy ratio. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance and the efficiency of RAL (0.1%)/GA (6%) in adult women with acne when used alone or in combination with their usual acne products except retinoids. METHODS: Three hundred ninety-seven women with acne (aged between 30 and 40 years old) were included in this open multicentric study. They had to apply cream containing RAL/GA for 90 days without stopping their previous acne treatment (except topical retinoids). The tolerance was the main criteria and the second one is the efficacy, which was assessed by counting inflammatory and retentional lesions after 30 and 90 days of treatment. RESULTS: Used alone or in association with other anti-acne treatments, RAL/GA was considered to be highly tolerated. A significant decrease in both inflammatory and retentional lesions between day 0 and day 90 indicates that RAL/GA can be used as monotherapy for mild acne or could potentate the efficiency of other anti-acne products used at the same time by patients suffering from moderate acne. Complaints about side-effects were rare. The subjective evaluation of the preparation's efficacy by investigators and patients was strongly favourable. CONCLUSION: These data show that a combination of RAL 0.1% and GA 6% may be used in association with other topical anti-acne treatments with an excellent tolerance.

[Worsening of subacute lupus erythematosus induced by infliximab]. / Aggravation d'un lupus érythémateux subaigu sous infliximab.

BACKGROUND: Infliximab (Remicade) is an anti-TNF alpha indicated in the treatment of chronic inflammatory rheumatism, notably rheumatoid arthritis. CASE-REPORT: We report the case of a 56 year-old woman who developed severe worsening of an SSA-positive subacute lupus erythematosus on initiation of treatment with infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis. DISCUSSION: A review of the literature found 30 cases of drug-induced lupus and listed the autoimmune modifications induced by anti-TNF alpha. This first case of subacute lupus erythematosus, existing before the introduction of treatment and worsening during the latter, emphasizes the risk of developing a severe flare of an autoimmune disease during treatment with anti-TNF alpha. It raises the question of the relative contraindications of anti-TNF alpha in patients with lupus erythematosus.

[Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma: an atypical case]. / Hamartome angio-eccrine. Un cas de présentation atypique.

BACKGROUND: We report a case of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma. This rare and benign skin disease is histologically characterized by the proliferation of both eccrine glands and vascular structures. CASE REPORT: A 65 year-old man had developed during the previous 8 years post-traumatic, angiomatous, extensive and plurifocal lesions of the left lower limb. There was neither pain or local hyperhidrosis. The diagnosis of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma was made on histological evidence. DISCUSSION: This observation is original because of the onset of the disease after 50 years of age, its widespread and plurifocal character and probable triggering-off by minor local trauma. The classical surgical treatment of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma was not suitable and a laser-CO2 therapy was undertaken instead. The results were very discreet.

[Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia: multiple lesions appearing in the course of treatment with interferon beta]. / Hyperplasie endothéliale papillaire intravasculaire: multiples lésions apparues au cours d'un traitement par interféron bêta.

INTRODUCTION: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia is a benign and rare vascular lesion. We report a case of multiple vascular lesions of the hand following 3 months treatment with beta-interferon injections for multiple sclerosis. OBSERVATION: A 50 year-old man had multiple vascular nodules of the hands. He was treated with beta interferon injections for multiple sclerosis for 3 months. Histology showed typical changes of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia: papillary endothelial proliferation in a dilated cavity associated with thrombosis. DISCUSSION: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia is a benign and rare vascular lesion usually presenting as a simple nodule. It may be painful. Diagnosis is histologic, characterized by papillary endothelial proliferation associated with a thrombus within a vessel. It may be confused with hemangiosarcoma. Treatment is surgical and recurrence after treatment is rare. Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia is generally considered as an unusual form of thrombus organization. Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia is divided into two groups: a pure form occurring within a dilated vessel and a mixed form appearing in benign vascular lesions. The originality of this case is the rarity and the multiplicity of the lesions. The possible pathogenesis of interferon-induced cutaneous vascular lesions is discussed.