A Clinico-Histopathological Study of Nail Dermatoses in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction Nail disorders account for an important component of all dermatological conditions. Nail abnormalities can result from local pathology or systemic diseases. Pathologies can lead to pain and impaired fine touch and are aesthetically distressing. Clinical assessment of nail pathologies is seldom accurate; moreover, the limited available investigative modalities make it difficult to correctly diagnose the disorders. Nail biopsies provide crucial histological information, especially for nail-limited dermatoses, though they are infrequently used and technically challenging. Proper biopsy techniques are vital to avoid complications like nail dystrophy and to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. Materials and methods A cross-sectional and observational study was conducted in the Dermatology Department of a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra from November 2022 to July 2024, involving 51 patients aged 8-80 years with undiagnosed nail dermatoses. Patients with bleeding disorders, anesthesia allergies, and peripheral vascular diseases were excluded. Ethical clearance and written consent were obtained. In the case of pediatrics, patients' parental consent was obtained. Observation and results The age of the patients ranged from eight to 74 years, with a mean age of 38.04 years. The most affected age groups were 20-29 and 30-39 years old. Nineteen (37%) were manual laborers, followed by 10 (20%) students and nine (18%) professional workers. Symptoms lasted from one month to eight years, with a mean duration of 16.65 months. The most common dermatoses diagnosed clinically were as follows: 18 (35.3%) were onychomycosis, 16 (31.4%) were psoriasis, and eight (15.7%) were lichen planus. However, on histopathology, 20 (37.2%) were onychomycosis, followed by 16 (31.4%) of psoriasis, and eight (15.7%) were lichen planus. Conclusion This study highlights the critical role of nail biopsies in diagnosing nail disorders, particularly among middle-aged males who were manual laborers by occupation. It underscores the importance of combining clinical and histopathological approaches to accurately diagnose and manage, advocating for continued research and collaboration to improve patient outcomes.

Navigating Treatment Dilemmas: Recalcitrant Pemphigus and the Burden of Multiple Comorbidities.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin caused by the production of autoantibodies targeting desmogleins 1 and 3 usually presenting in individuals with an average age of onset of approximately 40 years. A 35-year-old obese, diabetic woman presented with fluid-filled lesions over her body for three months along with erosions and painful ulcers in her mouth and genital area for two months. Based on clinical and histopathological studies, the patient was diagnosed as a case of pemphigus vulgaris. She was started on conventional treatment with oral corticosteroids followed by pulse therapy and mycophenolate mofetil. Rituximab infusion was scheduled but could not be administered due to elevated D-dimer values. The patient underwent screening for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and received subcutaneous enoxaparin and oral rivaroxaban. She developed severe sepsis for which she was treated with systemic antibiotics. She subsequently developed acute renal failure and underwent hemodialysis. The patient's clinical condition further deteriorated, which necessitated therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Collagen, colloidal silver, and silicone foam dressings were done to hasten wound healing. Two distinct approaches were employed to eliminate the pseudomembrane on the wounds. One portion was treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), while the other was with hyaluronidase. The hyaluronidase treatment resulted in considerable improvement of the lesions. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion was scheduled. However, the treatment could not be administered as the patient succumbed to death due to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) secondary to DVT.

Bilateral Naevus of Ito and Ota With Palatal Involvement.

Naevus of Ito and naevus of Ota are benign dermal melanocytoses with similar pathogenic mechanisms of failure in the melanocyte migration to typical locations within the basal layer from neural crest cells and differ in distribution. Bilateral and oral mucosal involvement of naevus of Ota can occur but is infrequent. Naevus of Ito is seldom associated with naevus of Ota and extracutaneous manifestations. A review of the English literature showed 14 cases of naevus of Ota with palatal involvement. None showed bilateral involvement of both naevi with oral involvement. Here we report the case of bilateral naevus of Ito and bilateral naevus of Ota with palatal involvement. A 32-year-old male came to us with naevus of Ito on both sides of his back and naevus of Ota on both sides of his face involving the sclera of both eyes with a bluish lesion along the midline of the hard palate.

Comparative Study Between Tacrolimus 0.1% Ointment Versus Topical White Soft Petrolatum Jelly in the Treatment of Oral Retinoid-Induced Cheilitis.

Retinoids are used topically as well as orally, and the most commonly used oral retinoids are isotretinoin and acitretin. Mucocutaneous adverse effects are frequently seen with the use of systemic retinoids, the most common being cheilitis, which is dose-dependent and seen in almost all patients using it. To study the comparative effect of topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment versus topical white soft petrolatum jelly in the treatment of cheilitis due to retinoids. A total of 26 patients with cheilitis post-treatment with isotretinoin were enrolled in this cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 6 months. They were randomized into two groups of 13 patients each to receive topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment and soft petrolatum jelly twice daily, respectively. Patients were followed up weekly with clinical photographs. Resolution of cheilitis was assessed on the basis of photograph and ICGS score. About 84.6% of patients of group A and 53.8% of patients of group B showed resolution of symptoms within 1 week of treatment. A significant difference was seen in duration for complete cheilitis resolution and relapse rate in the two groups. Our study concludes that oral retinoid-induced cheilitis shows faster and more significant resolution with twice-daily topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment application compared to twice-daily topical petrolatum jelly.

An Unusual Case of Kyrle Disease.

Kyrle disease is one of the acquired perforating disorders (APDs), commonly associated with type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other pruritic conditions. Here, we report a case of Kyrle disease with characteristic transepidermal elimination of dermal contents on histopathology. However, the only abnormal laboratory finding in our patient was hyperuricemia, and none of the commonly associated underlying conditions were found. The precise etiopathogenesis of APD is poorly understood. Abnormal glycation of collagen in diabetes and defective follicular keratinization following chronic friction have been commonly implicated in the pathogenesis. Treatment of the underlying cause is the mainstay; however, our patient responded well to acitretin, dapsone, and topical corticosteroids. Further studies need to be done to evaluate other possible causes, such as hyperuricemia in our patient, especially when none of the classical associations are present after a detailed workup.

Unilateral Hyperpigmented Facial Lesion Since Birth.

Facial hyperpigmented lesions that are unilateral are a rare and challenging dermatological anomaly since birth which can be genetic and non-genetic. This paper seeks to provide an exhaustive overview of the etiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and management strategies for these congenital lesions. Unilateral facial hyperpigmented lesions can be caused by a number of conditions, such as congenital melanocytic nevi, Becker's nevus, nevus of Ota, linear epidermal nevi, and café-au-lait macules. Accurate diagnosis requires meticulous examination, dermoscopy, and histopathological evaluation. Observation, topical therapies, surgical excision, and laser therapy are among the available treatment options. Treatment decisions should be influenced by factors such as lesion characteristics, aesthetic concerns, and patient preferences. Long-term supervision and psychosocial support are indispensable elements of comprehensive management. We present a case of a 12-year-old patient with a progressively growing hyperpigmented lesion on the right side of the face, present since birth with an intermittent area of normal skin in between. Dermoscopy unveiled an irregular, dark brown pigment network, and histopathological evaluation showed an increased number of melanocytes in the dermis. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of such lesions and underscores the significance of a multidisciplinary approach for accurate evaluation and management. This paper aims to cover existing knowledge gaps regarding unilateral facial hyperpigmented lesions since birth and direct future research efforts for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.