Dermoscopy of desmoplastic trichoepithelioma reveals other criteria to distinguish it from basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma (DT) is a rare benign adnexal neoplasm considered to have follicular differentiation. It usually presents as an asymptomatic, firm, annular plaque with a raised border. The diagnosis of DT is based on clinical and histological features which can be similar to those of morpheiform basal cell carcinoma. Taking this into consideration, the use of another diagnostic technique would be very useful. Dermoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic technique allowing a more accurate diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To differentiate DT and morpheiform basal cell carcinoma by means of dermoscopy. METHODS: Here, we describe the dermoscopic features of a case of DT, and make a direct clinicopathological correlation by using the horizontally cut slides provided by Mohs micrographic surgery. RESULTS: On dermoscopy, DT shows well-defined borders and an ivory-white color, as well as prominent arborizing telangiectasias in the central area and on the right side. There are no leaf-like structures and no ovoid nests. This observation confirms and completes the first dermoscopic analysis of DT reported in the literature so far.

Pemphigus vulgaris presenting as an isolated crusted plaque of the cheek.

A healthy 45-year-old man presented with a three-month history of an isolated enlarging eroded plaque on the left cheek. Pemphigus vulgaris was diagnosed by biopsy and positive direct immunofluorescence. The patient was lost to follow up, but returned two months later with generalized cutaneous involvement without mucosal involvement. He responded rapidly to oral corticosteroid therapy.

Primary atrophic solitary morphea profunda.

Solitary morphea profunda (SMP) is a distinct form of localized scleroderma, a cutaneous disorder of unknown origin. Here, we describe a patient presenting with noninflammatory cupuliform depressed plaques, without any significant skin induration, pigmentation or texture change, that appeared on the left shoulder at a site of previous intramuscular vaccination. Light microscopy studies revealed excessive dermal collagen deposition with thickened hyalinized collagen bundles. Magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated tissue fibrosis with thinning of the subcutaneous fat tissue and involvement of the adjacent deltoid muscle, which was confirmed by electromyographic tests. Borrelia serology was negative. Our observation of SMP differed from previously described cases, since it mimicked localized lipoatrophy. Our observation highlights the wide spectrum of clinical presentations of localized scleroderma. The latter should be considered in the presence of lipoatrophy-like lesions for proper workup and therapy.

Erythematous nodule of the eyelid.

A 68-year-old woman had a 15-day history of a well-circumscribed, erythematous nodule of the left eyebrow/eyelid area. After excision a primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed. The tumor was excised with clear margins and the patient has shown no recurrence over two years.

[Adult discoid lupus erythematosus]. / Le lupus erythemateux chronique de l'adulte.

BACKGROUND: Discoid lupus erythematosus is a particular form of systemic lupus in which manifestations are confined to the skin. AIM: Our purpose was to evaluate the epidemiology trends, presenting clinical manifestations, therapeutic features and outcome of patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). METHODS: It's a retrospective study, done in the dermatology department of Habib Thameur Hospital over an 8 years period. We included only the cases of DLE confirmed by the histology and/or the direct immunofluorescence. RESULTS: We identified 26 patients mean aged 46.19 years. All of them were adults. The lesions were localized on the face for 25 patients, neck (7 patients), scalp (6) and hands (6). Eleven patients presented a generalized DLE. The mean period of follow-up was 3 years raging from 1 month to 20 years. After a 15 year evolution, 1 patient presented degeneration in squamous cell carcinoma of 2 lesions. CONCLUSION: Unfortunately, there is still in our country a long delay before the first consultation, which, added to an absence of adequate photoprotection, can obscure the prognosis of DLE.

[Epidemioclinical aspects of dermatomyositis in the region of Tunis]. / Aspects epidemiocliniques de la dermatomyosite dans la region de Tunis.

BACKGROUND: Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare but serious disease. The aim was to evaluate the epidemiology, presenting clinical manifestations, therapeutic features and outcome of patients with DM. METHODS: From January 1986 to December 2003, we collected retrospectively cases of DM identified at the dermatology department of Habib Thameur hospital. We included only patients with definitive diagnosis of DM. RESULTS: We included 13 patients, mean aged 32.85 years: 9 adults and 4 children. We identified 9 cases of adult DM among them 2 cases of wiihich were of paraneoplastic DM and 4 cases of juvenile DM among them 1 case of amyopathic DM and 1 case of DM associated with connective tissue disease. The evolution of DM followed the course of the neoplasm for the 2 patients with paraneoplastic DM. All patients received corticotherapy initially. Patients were followed-up for an average of 3 years (2 months to 10 years). We found no serious repercussions on the growth of children with juvenile DM. CONCLUSION: DM is rare in Tunisia. In our study, its frequency is about 0.72 patients per year. Age of onset of DM is markedly smaller than the one reported in the relevant litterature. Our 2 cases of DM associated with cancer are considered like really paraneoplastic. Juvenile DM seems to have a relatively good prognosis.

Linear sclerodermic lupus erythematosus, a distinct variant of linear morphea and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematous.

BACKGROUND: Overlap syndromes represent disorders that combine diagnostic criteria of two or more different connective tissue diseases. METHODS: We herein describe the case of a 34-year-old patient. RESULTS: Our patient developed a lesion on the scalp and forehead following Blaschko's line typical for linear morphea "en coup de sabre", while histopathological features were consistent with both chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and linear morphea, a cutaneous overlap syndrome previously described as linear sclerodermiform lupus erythematosus. The patient was given oral antimalarials in association with topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors with good response. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of this peculiar cutaneous overlap syndrome is warranted, since its management and prognosis is probably different from classical linear morphea.