Toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with pembrolizumab.

INTRODUCTION: Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are severe cutaneous drug eruptions characterized by epidermal detachment. Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the programmed death-1 receptor, and it has been associated with numerous cutaneous adverse side-effects, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. CASE REPORT: We describe a 63-year-old male with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma who developed a rapidly progressing maculopapular rash three days after a first dose of pembrolizumab. On day 16, the rash affected more than 80% of body surface area with detachment of large sheets of necrolytic epidermis in 30-40% of body surface area. However, the patient only presented with mild mucosal involvement. Histopathologic examination of a skin biopsy showed a subepidermal blister with overlying prominent full thickness epidermal keratinocytic necrosis and a superficial perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes. A toxic epidermal necrolysis secondary to pembrolizumab was then diagnosed. Management and outcome: In addition to supportive cares, the patient received corticosteroids and cyclosporine. The patient responded rapidly to the immunosuppressant therapy, and nearly complete re-epithelialization was achieved 24 days after the start of the reaction. DISCUSSION: In our review of the literature, 15 other cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis were reported with programmed death-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 inhibitors. To our knowledge, this is the first case of toxic epidermal necrolysis secondary to pembrolizumab published in the literature. The American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines suggest that cyclosporine, in addition to corticosteroids, be initiated when toxic epidermal necrolysis is suspected. Clinicians should be aware of this rare dermatological emergency with the increasing use of pembrolizumab in oncology.

Necrolytic Migratory Erythema: A Forgotten Paraneoplastic Condition.

BACKGROUND: Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) is most commonly a paraneoplastic condition. It is the dermatologic manifestation classically associated with glucagonoma pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour. Glucagonoma syndrome has been defined by the constellation of secreting tumour associated with overproduction by the α-cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, abnormally elevated blood level of glucagon, and skin findings of NME. OBJECTIVE: Although rare, all dermatologists must know and recognise NME promptly to request useful investigations for the diagnosis of this characteristic neuroendocrine tumour. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a case of a middle-aged woman seen in our dermatology clinic with longstanding skin findings suggestive of NME revealing a glucagonoma. Surgical removal was associated with complete resolution of the cutaneous and systemic features. CONCLUSION: NME is often the first clinical finding of an occult neuroendocrine pancreatic neoplasia. Dermatologists must be aware of this condition since they can be the first physician to suspect it and allow multidisciplinary management, which influences the prognostic value. Surgical removal is the first-line therapy if early diagnosis is done before liver metastases occur.

Incidence and risk factors associated with a second squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma in psoralen + ultraviolet a light-treated psoriasis patients.

Psoralen + ultraviolet A-treated psoriasis patients are at increased risk for squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas; however, the incidence and risk factors associated with second squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas in this population are not well qualified. Incidence and risk factors for second squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas were studied in a cohort of 1380 psoralen + ultraviolet A-treated psoriasis patients prospectively followed for over 20 y; 264 had a squamous cell carcinoma and 258 a basal cell carcinoma after beginning psoralen + ultraviolet A therapy. After a first squamous cell carcinoma, the risk of a second squamous cell carcinoma was 26% at 1 y, 62% at 5 y, and 75% at 10 y. Risk increased with high psoralen + ultraviolet A exposure prior to the first squamous cell carcinoma (hazard ratio 3.32, 95% confidence interval 1.53, 7.18). Higher rates of post-first squamous cell carcinoma psoralen + ultraviolet A treatment also were associated with greater risk (hazard ratio 1.56 for every additional 10 treatments per year for patients with low pre-first squamous cell carcinoma psoralen + ultraviolet A exposure, 95% confidence interval 1.35, 1.81). Patients exposed to high levels of tar and/or ultraviolet B before a first squamous cell carcinoma were also at higher risk (hazard ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.14-2.60). Risk of a second basal cell carcinoma was 21% at 1 y, 49% at 5 y, and 61% at 10 y. There was some evidence that high exposure to psoralen + ultraviolet A before a first basal cell carcinoma was associated with increased risk of second basal cell carcinoma (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 0.97-2.17). Higher post-first tumor psoralen + ultraviolet A treatment rates also increased risk (hazard ratio 1.24 for every additional 10 treatments per year, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.47). Psoralen + ultraviolet A-treated psoriasis patients appear to have a greatly increased incidence of second squamous cell carcinoma compared with the general population. Patients who develop a squamous cell carcinoma after starting psoralen + ultraviolet A therapy should be closely monitored for a subsequent squamous cell carcinoma.

Attitudes and subjective norms of male and female adolescents toward breastfeeding.

There is a lack of information regarding the attitudes of Québec's adolescents about breastfeeding and how others influence their opinions. The present study aims to describe attitudes and subjective norms of adolescent males and females toward breastfeeding and to determine whether these are related to gender, age, secondary education level, mother tongue, country of origin, feeding method as an infant, feeding method of siblings, and exposure to breastfeeding. Adolescents (N = 439) answered a questionnaire based on the theory of reasoned action. Both genders showed an overall positive attitude but negative subjective norms toward breastfeeding. Gender differences and relationships with external variables in terms of attitudes as well as subjective norms are presented. Possible avenues to promote breastfeeding are discussed.

Translation and validation of a French version of Brown's Support Behaviors Inventory in perinatal health.

This article describes the process used for translation, testing for reliability and validity, and establishing factor structure of a French version of Brown's Support Behaviors Inventory (SBI-Fr). The objective was to provide an adequate self-report measure of satisfaction with social support during the perinatal period for use with a Francophone population in Québec, Canada. When compared with the English version, the French version had similar qualities regarding reliability and validity, but principal component analysis (N = 271) revealed that the SBI-Fr measures two distinct subscales, perceived satisfaction with partner's and others' support. The availability of the SBI-Fr will facilitate the inclusion of Francophone respondents in studies of satisfaction with social support during the perinatal period and permit cross-cultural comparison between Francophone and other populations in not only Canada but also other French-speaking countries.

Treatment of nail psoriasis with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide using a needle-free jet injector: a prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: Treating nail psoriasis is challenging. Corticosteroid matrix injection with needle is a conventional treatment but pain is often a limitation. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate efficacy and safety of triamcinolone acetonide needle-free injection with the Med-Jet MBX in psoriatic fingernail. METHODS: Seventeen patients were enrolled between January 2012 and January 2013. Four treatments sessions were scheduled every 4 ± 1 weeks. Clinical efficacy was evaluated according to Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score of target nail differences before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Mean baseline NAPSI score was 6.5 on an 8-point scale (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.652-7.348) and mean final NAPSI score was 2.8 on an 8-point scale (95% CI 1.859-3.741), demonstrating statistically significant treatment efficacy (p = .0007). NAPSI score for target nail from baseline to end of treatment was decreased by 46.25%. CONCLUSION: Treatment with triamcinolone acetonide delivered by Med-Jet MBX is a safe, minimally painful and effective treatment for nail psoriasis.

Physician survey regarding patient nonattendance at follow-up appointments at a university-affiliated medical dermatology clinic.

BACKGROUND: Patient nonattendance is a frequent occurrence in dermatology clinics, and our responsibility regarding the follow-up of these patients remains nebulous. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the beliefs and practices of physicians at a university-affiliated medical dermatology clinic regarding patient nonattendance at follow-up appointments and to provide an algorithm to deal appropriately with absentee patients based on various Canadian medical association guidelines. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to the 17 dermatologists practicing at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal medical dermatology clinic. We contacted provincial and national medical associations regarding directives for patient follow-up. RESULTS: There is a lack of consensus among dermatologists at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal regarding responsibility toward patients who miss their follow-up appointments. However, the majority of survey respondents consider that patient follow-up must be adjusted on a case-by-case basis and that diagnoses at risk for high morbidity and mortality require particular attention, which is in line with various Canadian medical association guidelines. CONCLUSION: Dermatologists should have a structured approach to dealing with patients who miss their follow-up appointments to ensure the appropriate care of all patients.