Loss of CD34 Expression within an Interstitial Dermal Lymphoid Cell Infiltrate Is a Helpful Clue to the Diagnosis of Morphea.

A dermal interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate may represent a diagnostic challenge, particularly if the clinical history is not provided. We present three cases within the histological spectrum of morphea in which the immunohistochemical marker CD34 was helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

Retinoid-induced skeletal hyperostosis in disorders of keratinization.

For disorders of keratinization, topical treatment alone may be ineffective, and systemic retinoid therapy may be indicated. Treatment with systemic retinoids (acitretin, isotretinoin and alitretinoin) has been shown to be effective in reducing disease severity; however, potentially rare adverse effects (AEs) may occur, including hyperostotic skeletal changes. The true prevalence of this AE in adult patients administered life-long therapy is unknown. We identified 3 of 127 (2.4%) patients (with ichthyosis or Darier disease) who had been prescribed isotretinoin with or without acitretin, and who developed radiological signs and clinical symptoms of hyperostosis and ligamentous ossification. This clinical review highlights the significance of retinoid-induced skeletal hyperostosis in patients prescribed long-term, high-dose retinoid therapy for disorders of keratinization. Patients commencing systemic retinoid therapy, particularly women of childbearing age, should be counselled about this important and potentially serious AE, especially if long-term treatment is indicated.

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Epidermolysis Bullosa: a 28-year Retrospective Study.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB), notably severe recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB-S), is associated with increased risk of aggressive mucocutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, the major cause of mortality in early adulthood. This observational, retrospective case review describes a series of EB patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas over a 28-year period. Forty-four EB patients with squamous cell carcinomas were identified with a total of 221 primary tumours. They comprised: 31 (70%) with RDEB-S, 4 (9%) with other RDEB subtypes, 5 (11.4%) with dominant dystrophic EB, 3 (6.8%) with intermediate junctional EB and 1 (2.3%) with Kindler EB. Squamous cell carcinomas occurred earlier in RDEB-S (median age 29.5 years; age range 13-52 years) than other groups collectively (median age 47.1 years; age range 30-89 years) and most had multiple tumours (mean 5.8; range 1-44). Squamous cell carcinoma-associated mortality was high in RDEB-S (64.5%), with median survival after first squamous cell carcinoma of 2.4 years (range 0.5-12.6 years), significantly lower than previous reports, highlighting the need for early surveillance and better treatments.