Infliximab-induced amicrobial pustulosis of the folds in a patient with Crohn disease.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors may paradoxically induce pustular eruptions, most of which are classified as pustular psoriasis. Amicrobial pustulosis of the folds (APF) is a much rarer entity that was recently recognized to occur in the setting of chronic anti-TNF therapy and inflammatory bowel disease, with 12 existing cases in the literature. Amicrobial pustulosis of the folds is a neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by aseptic pustules involving the major and minor skin folds, genital regions, and scalp. Herein, we report an additional case of paradoxical APF induced by chronic infliximab therapy in a patient with Crohn disease.

Acne vulgaris in black pediatric patients: clinical presentation, treatment patterns, and unique needs.

Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological diagnosis observed in pediatric patients with skin of color, often resulting in scarring, keloid formation, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, significantly impacting their quality of life. This exploratory retrospective chart review included 77 black pediatric patients seen at a tertiary care center for acne vulgaris between 2018 and 2023. We analyzed demographics, acne descriptors, and treatment modalities. The most common acne morphology was comedonal acne (83.6%), with 71% of the patients being female. Significant age differences were observed particularly for acne at the chin and overall face. Treatment regimens commonly prescribed included combinations of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide (22%), topical antibiotics, tretinoin, and benzoyl peroxide (34%). Given the higher risk of sequelae for patients with darker skin, it is crucial to address their unique treatment needs. This study highlights the distinctive characteristics of acne in black pediatric patients and calls for further research to enhance our understanding and treatment of this population. Limitations include the lack of direct patient interactions and reliance on chart data. Further studies are needed to compare acne presentation in skin of color of other populations, refining our knowledge of acne clinical presentation, complications, and treatment modalities for diverse patient populations.

Localized alopecic myxedema of the scalp.

Myxedema is a rare, cutaneous complication of autoimmune thyroid diseases that most often affects the anterior shins. Herein, we report a patient with a history of Graves disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis who presented with boggy, alopecic patches associated with scalp pruritus. Punch biopsies from these lesions showed increased interstitial mucin in the reticular dermis, consistent with localized myxedema. This report showcases a rare presentation of localized myxedema of the scalp, highlighting the diverse cutaneous manifestations of autoimmune thyroid diseases.

When a travel bug gets you down: severe, hypotensive African tick bite fever and response to therapy.

African tick bite fever, resulting from Rickettsia africae inoculation, is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. We present a United States traveler with African tick bite fever 5 days after she returned from a mission trip to Zimbabwe. The patient exhibited symptomatic hypotension in addition to more typical findings, including fever, fatigue, and a necrotic eschar. The diagnosis was supported by histopathological findings and the patient's symptoms rapidly resolved with oral doxycycline therapy. We believe this case represents the first African tick bite fever diagnosis associated with symptomatic hypotension. This case additionally serves as a reminder of the importance of evaluating patient travel history.

Characteristics of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis from 2001-2021 at a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the most common inflammatory myopathy in the pediatric population and can represent a medical emergency. However, many features of JDM remain poorly understood, disease presentation is highly variable, and predictors of disease course have yet to be identified. METHODS: This retrospective chart review included 47 JDM patients seen at a tertiary care center over a 20-year period. Characteristics such as demographics, clinical signs and symptoms, antibody positivity, dermatopathology features, and treatments were recorded. RESULTS: All patients had evidence of cutaneous involvement, whereas 88.4% experienced muscle weakness. Constitutional symptoms and dysphagia were commonly present. The most frequent cutaneous findings were Gottron papules, heliotrope rash, and nailfold changes. Anti-TIF1? was the most prevalent myositis-specific autoantibody. Management involved systemic corticosteroids in nearly all cases. Strikingly, the dermatology department was only involved in the care of four in every ten (19/47) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt recognition of the strikingly reproducible skin findings present in JDM can improve disease outcomes in this population. This study highlights the need for increased education of such pathognomonic findings as well as more multidisciplinary care. In particular, a dermatologist should be involved in the care of patients presenting with muscle weakness and skin changes.

Pruritic papules after induction chemotherapy with daunorubicin and cytarabine.

We present a 65-year-old woman who developed a diffuse pruritic papular eruption after receiving induction chemotherapy with daunorubicin and cytarabine for newly diagnosed acute myelomonocytic leukemia. The rash improved clinically with triamcinolone treatment and chemotherapy was allowed to continue. This case adds to the growing literature of transient acantholytic dermatosis development in the setting of anti-cancer therapy and emphasizes the importance of clinicopathologic correlation in cutaneous eruptions in cancer patients.

Anti-MDA-5 negative, anti-Ku positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis.

We present a patient with anti-MDA5 negative, anti-Ku positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM). A 61-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of a 20-year history of a pruritic rash that was active on her face, chest, hands, legs, and back. A mildly scaly, erythematous, photo-distributed eruption along with slightly violaceous, scaly papules accentuated on the wrist, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. Antibody profile was significant for positive ANA and anti-dsDNA, elevated anti-TIF-1gamma (RDL)/p155, and weakly positive anti Ku. Biopsy was consistent with dermatomyositis. Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA-5) has been identified as the most commonly associated autoantibody found in CADM and is associated with poor prognosis and a biomarker for the diagnosis of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease. To our knowledge, our patient is the first case of negative anti-MDA-5 and anti-Ku positive CADM.

Livedo racemosa secondary to hyaluronic acid injection.

Iatrogenic vascular occlusion secondary to filler injection, such as with hyaluronic acid, is a known but rare, entity. It typically occurs in the setting of facial cosmetic procedures but has also been described in the setting of osteoarthritis. We present a patient with ankle osteoarthritis who developed an asymmetric, reticular, livedoid eruption after intraarticular injection with hyaluronic acid. She was diagnosed with livedo racemosa secondary to vascular occlusion and placed on low molecular weight heparin. Later, a transition to low-dose daily aspirin maintained the improvement.

Pink verrucous plaque in a man with systemic mastocytosis.

Porokeratosis ptychotropica is a rare and commonly misdiagnosed subtype of porokeratosis involving the body folds. We present a 53-year-old man with systemic mastocytosis who presented with a pruritic, verrucous plaque in the gluteal fold that showed multiple cornoid lamellae on histopathologic evaluation, diagnostic of porokeratosis ptychotropica. Various treatments have been reported, including topical corticosteroids, retinoids, vitamin D analogs, calcineurin inhibitors, imiquimod, phototherapy, cryotherapy, or ablative laser therapy, but recurrences are common.

Eosinophilic fasciitis presenting as a unilateral, solitary plaque.

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by inflammation of the fascia that leads to painful, indurated skin. Because of its variable clinical presentation and overlap with conditions, such as morphea, the diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis can be challenging and relies on clinical presentation, histopathologic and laboratory analysis, and response to therapy. Herein, we present an unusual, solitary, isolated plaque with pathologic features and response to therapy most consistent with eosinophilic fasciitis.

Improving classification of melanocytic nevi: Association of BRAF V600E expression with distinct histomorphologic features.

BACKGROUND: A subset of melanomas carrying a B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase gene (BRAF) V600E mutation, which is the most common targetable mutation in melanoma, arise in association with a melanocytic nevus that is also harboring a BRAF V600E mutation. The detailed histomorphologic characteristics of nevi positive for BRAF V600E have not been systematically documented. OBJECTIVE: To identify histomorphologic features correlating with BRAF V600E status in nevi. METHODS: We retrospectively identified melanocytic nevi from our laboratory reporting system. We performed a histomorphologic analysis and analysis of BRAF V600E expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Thirteen nevi (14.8%) were negative and 76 (86.4%) were positive for BRAF V600E. The nevi positive for BRAF V600E were predominantly dermal (predominantly dermal growth in 55.3% of nevi positive for BRAF V600E and 15.4% of nevi negative for BRAF V600E [P = .01]) and showed a congenital growth pattern (congenital growth pattern in 51.3% of nevi positive for BRAF V600E and 15.4% of nevi negative for BRAF V600E [P = .02]). Compared with nevi negative for BRAF V600E, those that were positive for BRAF V600E often exhibited predominantly nested intraepidermal melanocytes, larger junctional nests, abrupt lateral circumscription, and larger cell size. Architectural disorder and inflammatory infiltrates were seen more often in nevi negative for BRAF V600E. BRAF sequencing of a subset of nevi confirmed the immunohistochemical results. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the study's retrospective design and the small sample size of nevi negative for BRAF V600E. CONCLUSIONS: BRAF V600E is associated with distinct histomorphologic features in nevi. These features may contribute to improving the accuracy of classification and diagnosis of melanocytic neoplasms.

Debilitating erosive lichenoid interface dermatitis from checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

As the list of anti-tumor immunotherapy agents and the list of cancers treated by these novel agents grow, a subset of patients are experiencing immune-related adverse events as a result of prolonged stimulation of the immune system. Many different immune related adverse events including colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, thyroiditis, hypophysitis, and cutaneous reactions can result from blocking these inhibitory pathways. The full spectrum of cutaneous immune related adverse events secondary to checkpoint inhibitor therapy is still being defined. The reported varied presentations include lichenoid reactions and bullous pemphigoid, amongst others. We present a severe cutaneous reaction, a case of debilitating erosive lichenoid dermatitis. This case emphasizes both the wide range of possible cutaneous reactions and the potential severity of these reactions.

Desmoplastic intradermal spitz nevi arising within red tattoo ink.

Tattoos present a diagnostic challenge for dermatologists. Various reactions to tattoo have been identified in the literature ranging from allergic, to infectious, to neoplastic. Of the neoplastic cases identified, it is unclear whether the tattoo ink was directly causative, or if the cases were merely coincidence, as the number of cutaneous malignancies has also been on the rise. We present a novel case of two desmoplastic intradermal Spitz nevi arising within red tattoo ink.

Generalized fixed drug eruption to piperacillin/tazobactam and review of literature.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is an adverse drug reaction characterized by the development of well-circumscribed, round, dusky erythematous macules and plaques on cutaneous or mucosal surfaces. The reaction occurs on the same mucosal or cutaneous site with subsequent exposures to the offending drug. Although FDE usually manifests as a single lesion, in rare instances, more than one lesion may arise and this is referred to as a generalized eruption. Herein, we present a 31year-old man with history of cystic fibrosis who developed a generalized fixed drug eruption to piperacillin/tazobactam (Zosyn, Pfizer). We discuss our patient's course and review causes and outcomes of generalized fixed drug eruptions in the literature.

Second degree burn to mustard powder.

Mustard seeds and powder are commonly used inhomeopathic and traditional medicines, in whichthey are believed to have both anti-microbial andanti-inflammatory properties. They are thereforeutilized in the treatment of conditions ranging fromarthritis to respiratory congestion. Herein, we presenta patient with a second degree burn who usedmustard powder in the form of a mustard plasterto treat chest congestion. She experienced seconddegree burn wounds to the lower neck and chest, andrecovery with complete re-epithelialization followingtopical silver sulfadiazine, liberal emollient therapy,and triamcinolone ointment. This case highlightsthe potential danger of inappropriate use of topicalhomeopathic remedies such as mustard powder anddetails a successful treatment regimen.

Ustekinumab to target granulomatous dermatitis in recalcitrant ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica: case report and proposed mechanism.

We present a 42-year-old woman with no history of diabetes or glucose intolerance who had a 5-year history of ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica (NL). Despite failure of multiple medications, she experienced clearing of her ulcers after her treatment was changed to ustekinumab. We discuss our patient's disease course and elaborate upon mechanistic reasons for her improvement related to ustekinumab therapy.

Comparison of the Cutaneous Thermal Signatures Over Twenty-Four Hours With a Picosecond Alexandrite Laser Using a Flat or Fractional Optic.

INTRODUCTION: This study explored immediate heat signatures with different passing techniques and the delayed thermal data points with the picosecond Alexandrite laser with the 6mm at and fractional optic during and after treatment. We sought to clarify the im- mediate effects of heating and understand the thermal and short term clinical difference when using these optics. RESULTS: There were no immediate differences or a signi cant temperature rise with different passing techniques using the at or the fractional optic. However, after treatments a signi cant temperature elevation over 24 hours with manageable erythema was noted with the fractional optic. Only faint redness was appreciated with the at optic. CONCLUSION: The different passing methods with these optics did not result in a significant thermal change. However, the fractional optic produces a localized area of epidermal necrosis which results in a significant clinical and a delayed thermal effect. With multiple treatments over time, collagen, elastic tissue, and mucin is produced resulting in improvement of acne scars and photo-damaged skin. This process suggests that a well-placed epidermal injury can stimulate an inflammatory cascade with dermal remodeling. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(11):1347-1352..

Erythema Nodosum-like Septal Panniculitis Secondary to Lenalidomide Therapy in a Patient With Janus Kinase 2-Positive Myelofibrosis.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is a panniculitis frequently encountered secondary to medical therapy. We present a case of a 66-year-old gentleman with JAK2-positive myelofibrosis who developed transient EN-like lesions on his trunk and upper and lower extremities approximately three weeks after starting lenalidomide therapy. The subcutaneous nodules improved with intralesional triamcinolone and topical clobetasol without discontinuation of lenalidomide.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(8):1024-1025.