Cutaneous immune-related adverse events: incidence rates, risk factors and association with extracutaneous toxicity. A prospective study of 189 patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors in a Spanish tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians are increasingly prescribing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to treat cancer, but the real-world incidence, characteristics and risk factors of cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, features and risk factors of cirAEs and measure their possible association with extracutaneous toxicity. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in a Spanish tertiary care hospital, including people who started an ICI between March 2020 and May 2022. We used a survival analysis and a log-rank test to obtain and compare incidence rates, and a multivariate Cox model to detect risk factors of cirAEs. RESULTS: We included 189 patients, of whom 82 (43.4%) presented cutaneous toxicity. The incidence of cirAEs was 75.0 per 100 person-years, with a 50% probability of cirAE appearance at 10 months of follow-up. The most frequent cirAE category was inflammatory dermatoses, and the most frequent types were pruritus, eczema and maculopapular eruptions. ICI combination therapy, family history of psoriasis and rheumatologic and pulmonary irAEs increased the risk of cirAEs. Limitations: Single-center design. CONCLUSION: We found a high incidence of cirAEs, and they occurred early in follow-up. Dermatologists should be involved in the management of cirAEs, especially in people with risk factors.

A Case Series of 18 Congenital Haemangiomas: Clinical, Histological and Ultrasound Features, and their Relationship with Complications and Atypical Behaviour.

Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the clinical, histological and imaging characteristics of congenital haemangiomas (CHs), and have reported possible complications and atypical behaviour. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, histological and ultrasound features of a series of CHs and to analyse their association with complications and atypical behaviour, with a view to providing diagnostic and management recommendations. The medical records, histology results and ultrasound images of all patients with CH diagnosed in the Dermatology Department of Alicante University General Hospital between 2006 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 18 patients were included, of whom 4 (22.2%) had complications. The most severe was 1 case with heart failure. There was a significant association between large CH size (> 5 cm) and the occurrence of complications (p = 0.019). The study identified 3 different lobule patterns, but found no relationship with CH subtype or other findings. The associations of venous ectasia, venous lakes and arteriovenous microshunts with occurrence of complications was borderline significant (p = 0.055). Study limitations were the small sample and the retrospective analysis. To conclude, haematological and cardiological assessment is indicated in large CHs and should be considered in CHs with ultrasound findings of venous ectasia, venous lakes or arteriovenous microshunts, as these cases present a greater risk of complications.

Atypical pediatric presentation of lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis: Diagnostic difficulties and recent nosological clarification.

A 4-year-old girl presented with a 2-month history of round, hypopigmented, slightly scaly patches measuring 1-6 cm and encircled by an erythematous halo, first appearing on the lower limbs then spreading to the whole body. Three biopsies were taken as the condition progressed, each showing a lymphocytic infiltrate affecting a medium-sized artery at the dermal-subcutaneous junction, with a concentric fibrin ring. These findings are characteristic of lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA). The young age of our patient and the type of skin lesions she developed make this an atypical presentation of LTA, which usually manifests as hyperpigmented macules on the lower extremities, predominantly in dark-skinned women.

No SARS-CoV-2 antibody response in 25 patients with pseudo-chilblains.

Chilblain-like acral lesions have been identified in some coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. It has been suggested that these pseudo-chilblains could be a specific marker of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Most patients with these lesions have had negative polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), but some authors believe serology tests are likely to give positive results. We designed a prospective study including all patients with pseudo-chilblains treated in outpatient department in April and May 2020 and then performed SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serology tests on all available patients. We evaluated 59 patients, of whom 17 had undergone PCR before the study period, all with negative results. For the present study, we performed 20 additional PCRs, serology tests in 25 patients, and a parvovirus B19 antibody test in 15 patients. All results were negative. Our findings counter the hypothesis that serology is likely to reveal SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with pseudo-chilblains. One hypothesis for our negative results is that the time period between symptom onset and antibody production is longer in these patients; another is that the lesions are caused by behavioral changes during lockdown rather than SARS-CoV-2 infection. We nevertheless maintain that COVID-19 should be ruled out in people presenting with chilblain-like lesions.

Presentation of pseudohypoparathyroidism and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism with skin lesions: Case reports and review.

We report three cases of patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism or pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism. These diseases are considered GNAS inactivating mutation syndromes that are characterized by a diversity of alterations among which a particular phenotype and specific endocrine or ossification abnormalities may be found. These patients may present with hard cutaneous nodules, which can represent osteoma cutis. The presence of these lesions in pediatric patients should prompt the dermatologist's consideration of this group of diseases when reaching a diagnosis. A multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, endocrinologists, geneticists, and dermatologists should carefully evaluate these patients.

Retronychia a little-known cause of paronychia: A report of two cases in adolescent patients.

Retronychia is a clinical condition resulting from embedding of the nail plate into the proximal nail fold. We report two adolescent girls, 14 and 16 years of age, with a history of chronic proximal paronychia of the great toe, one of them developing osteomyelitis. After failure of treatment with several systemic antibiotics, nail avulsion was performed, leading us to the diagnosis of retronychia and with rapid and complete resolution of symptoms in both cases. Delay in diagnosis of retronychia can lead to local complications and prolonged discomfort.

Neonatal Molluscum contagiosum: five new cases and a literature review.

Congenital or neonatal Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is an unusual infection, barely reported in the literature. In these patients a mechanism of transmission that is neither via contact or sexual transmission should be considered. We describe five cases of neonatal MC and review the cases already published to discuss the possible aetiopathogenic mechanism.

Scabies in Infants: Series of 51 Cases.

We conducted a two-year retrospective evaluation of infants aged under two years with a confirmed, clinical, or suspected diagnosis of scabies in a healthcare center in Alicante (Spain) to determine possible factors associated with diagnostic delay and poor treatment response. We collected epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment variables. After describing our findings as mean values and percentages, we compared categorical variables using the Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test, and we compared continuous variables with the Chi2 test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. We included 51 infants (19 boys and 32 girls) with a mean age of 15 months. The main source of contagion was the family; half of the infants lived with four or more people. According to the International Consensus Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies, confirmed scabies was diagnosed in 45% of cases and clinical scabies in 47%, and 45% of cases had a diagnostic delay. Lesions mainly affected the hands, feet, and trunk, with papules in 92% of cases and burrows in 55%. The predominant symptoms were pruritus (94%) and irritability (69%). Regarding treatment, 98% of the infants received topical permethrin and 35% received oral ivermectin. Treatment failed in 76% of infants. Living in large family units was associated with a higher risk of contagion and therapeutic failure. Diagnostic delay was associated with previous misdiagnosis.

Teledermatology in paediatrics: Health-care impact on the early treatment of infantile haemangiomas.

INTRODUCTION: Teledermatology can solve diagnostic and therapeutic problems in paediatrics, for example in infantile haemangiomas (IHs) requiring early treatment with propranolol. This study aims to assess the impact of teledermatology following its implementation in a health area of Spain, specifically analysing its effectiveness in reducing the age of first propranolol treatment for IH. METHODS: This was a descriptive study of paediatric teledermatology from 2015 to 2018, studying age, sex, diagnosis, time and mode of resolution. All IHs referred via teledermatology were analysed, and age at propranolol initiation was compared to the period prior to implementation (2008-2014). We also analysed IHs according to referral pathways (teledermatology vs. conventional pathways). RESULTS: We included 432 consultations (47.7% boys). The main diagnoses were IH, erythematous-desquamative diseases and infections. Concordance in diagnosis between paediatricians and dermatologists was good, and 48.12% of cases consulted via teledermatology were resolved remotely. Response time was 2.81 days on average. Children younger than two months of age showed the highest proportion of in-person visits. In 2015-2018, children with IHs began treatment with propranolol at a mean age of 4.5 months (1.9 months in those referred via teledermatology vs. 5.6 months in those using conventional referral pathways). In 2008-2014, the mean age at referral was 7.1 months. These differences were significant. DISCUSSION: Teledermatology is a fast and effective tool to resolve paediatric cases, enabling a significant decrease in the age of treatment in infants with IH.

Cutaneous Metastases of Solid Tumors: Demographic, Clinical, and Survival Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous metastasis (CM), while uncommon, is usually an indicator of poor prognosis. With cancer patients living longer, the incidence of CM has increased, which justifies its analysis. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to carry out a descriptive study of CM diagnosed for 18 years in a dermatology department of a tertiary care hospital and to assess the epidemiological, clinical, and histological variables that condition them, as well as data on their survival and prognosis. METHODS: We performed a descriptive study of cases of CM diagnosed over 18 years in the dermatology department of a tertiary referral hospital analyzing the following variables: patient age and sex, site of primary neoplasm, pathochronology, survival time, histological findings, immunohistochemical markers, the anatomical area affected, the clinical appearance of the metastasis, therapeutic plan, and existence of metastases in other regions. We checked normal distribution using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and then compared the quantitative variables using the Student's t-test (unpaired samples), Mann-Whitney test (non-normal distribution), analysis of variance (ANOVA; for more than two groups), and categorical variables using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: We included 37 cases (20 men and 17 women), of whom 32 had died. The mean age was 62 ± 15 years. CM detection was defined early in 8% of cases, synchronous in 32%, and metachronous in 60%. The most frequent primary tumor sites were lungs (24%), breasts (21%), and bladders (11%). Most metastases were solitary. The most frequent locations for CM were the scalp, trunk, armpits, and groin. Most lesions had a nodular presentation (81%). Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma showed the same frequency in lung cancer CM. Breast cancer leading to CM was the most common invasive ductal carcinoma. The most aggressive cases, with the worst survival, originated in lung neoplasms. Therapeutic management for most patients involved surgery in combination with other procedures. The only difference detected between the lung and breast cancer CM was the predominance of lung tumors in men (89%) and breast tumors in women compared with metastases from other sites; breast cancer CM manifested more frequently as plaques and less frequently as nodules (p < 0.05) and was less frequently associated with multisystemic metastasis. In lung cancer CM, time from tumor diagnosis to CM occurrence was shorter (p < 0.01) and multisystemic metastasis was more frequent than in CM of other tumors. CONCLUSIONS: CM tends to affect patients aged above 60 years and arises predominantly from lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women. The most typical locations are the chest and scalp, and the appearance is usually nodular. Survival after CM detection is low, particularly in lung cancer CM.

Abortive hemangiomas. Description of clinical and pathological findings with special emphasis on dermoscopy.

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most commonly found benign neoplasia in childhood. Up to a third of IH may be present at birth and develop in 3 clearly defined stages. In their endothelial cells, IH express an erythocyte type glucose transport protein (GLUT-1), highly specific to this type of lesion, which enables them to be differentiated from other types of vascular lesions, including congenital hemangiomas (RICH or NICH) and capillary malformations. We present clinical, dermoscopic and histological descriptions of two patients with vascular lesions present at birth whose immunohistochemical GLUT-1 confirmed that they were IH, although their course was not characteristic of this type of lesion. These IH have been called abortive or minimal-growth hemangiomas (AH). We believe that this is the first dermoscopic description of AH and suggest that this technique is a useful diagnostic tool that enables diagnosis to be made without the need for a biopsy.

[Utilization of dermatology services among the immigrant population]. / Análisis de la demanda asistencial en dermatología de la población inmigrante.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utilization rate of a dermatology service among the immigrant population and compare this rate with that among the autochthonous population. METHODS: Over a 1-year period, data on all patients attended in the Dermatology Service of Health Department 19 in the autonomous community of Valencia were prospectively collected. RESULTS: Of 39,160 consultations, 1,625 were made by immigrants (4.1%). Attendance for dermatologic emergencies was greater in immigrants than in the autochthonous population (7.7% vs 3.0%; p<0.001), while surgical activity was lower in immigrants than in Spanish-born patients (2.6% vs 5%; p<0.001). Demand for consultation in the immigrant population was 5.7 visits per 100 immigrants, lower than that in the autochthonous population (16.2). The standardized rate ratio was 0.34. North Africans (5.6 per 100 immigrants), East Europeans (4.8), sub-Saharan Africans (5.3) and Asians (4.2) consulted less than Latin Americans (8.5; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Demand was lower in the immigrant than in the autochthonous population, and the utilization pattern differed according to country.

Onychocryptosis: a long-term retrospective and comparative follow-up study of surgical and phenol chemical matricectomy in 520 procedures.

BACKGROUND: Onychocryptosis or ingrown toenail is a common condition for which there are several treatment options. Surgical matricectomy (SM) is the classical procedure, whereas chemical matricectomy with phenol (CMP) is the most widely used nowadays. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the success rate, postoperative comfort, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction provided by each of these procedures. METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients who underwent surgery for ingrown toenail over a 5-year period was performed. Data used for the descriptive study and success rates were obtained from medical records. Postoperative data were collected by telephone interviews. RESULTS: Ingrown toenail surgery was carried out in 520 patients. SM was associated with a lower recurrence rate (8.2%) than CMP (17.8%), more pain (5.7/10 vs. 3.6/10), a higher risk for infection (15.3% vs. 2.9%), and lower cosmetic satisfaction (7.3/10 vs. 8.0/10). Overall satisfaction was similar in both procedures (8.5/10 and 8.4/10, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although SM is associated with a lower recurrence rate, CMP appears to facilitate better postoperative outcomes.

Dermatoses in Latin American Immigrant Children Seen in a Universitary Hospital of Spain.

Over the past 10 years Spain has become an important immigrant receiver country as the proximity with Africa and the cultural facilities with Latino-American countries have made of Spain a very attractive place to settle down for immigrants. From 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2007, all the pediatric patients visits (0-14 years old) seen in the units of the Dermatology Section of the University General Hospital of Alicante (Spain) were prospectively recorded. During the study period 3,108 visits were recorded. Of these, 447 (14.3 %) were generated by immigrant children, 243 (54.3 %) being episodes requested by 167 Latin American patients. Latin children consulted mainly in the outpatient clinic, like Spanish children. The most frequent type of dermatoses in these patients was eczema/atopic dermatitis. Infectious dermatitis showed no differences between them and Spaniards, but scabies was six times more frequent in the formers.