Interventional treatments for Hailey-Hailey disease.

Hailey-Hailey disease or familial benign chronic pemphigus is a rare blistering dermatosis that is characterized by recurrent erythematous plaques with a predilection for the skin folds. For extensive Hailey-Hailey disease that is recalcitrant to conventional therapy, laser ablation, photodynamic therapy, electron beam radiotherapy, botulinum toxin type A, dermabrasion, glycopyrrolate, and afamelanotide have been reported as useful treatments, but comparative trials are lacking. This review discusses the various treatment modalities for Hailey-Hailey disease and a summary of the evidence for the most recommended treatments.

Graft-versus-host Disease-associated Angiomatosis Treated With Topical Timolol Solution.

INTRODUCTION: Scleroderma-like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an uncommon subtype of chronic GVHD. Vascular lesions rarely arise within areas of scleroderma-like changes and until recent- ly have not been considered to be related entities. Kaffenberg et al1 have grouped this heterogeneous collection of vascular lesions under the term GVHD-associated angiomatosis. Treatment modalities thus far have been mostly ineffective. Topical timolol solution has been used in the treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas with good success. Here the authors report the first case of GVHD-associated angiomatosis treated with topical timolol solution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Timolol 0.5% solution was applied daily to 3 lesions on the lower extremities of their patient for 3 months. RESULTS: All lesions decreased in friability and frequency of spontaneous hemorrhage. Le- sions remained stable in size throughout treatment duration, with no growth observed in any lesion. Granulation tissue surrounding all lesions was markedly reduced after the treatment period. CONCLUSION: Topical timolol remains a promising therapeutic option in the treat- ment of GVHD-associated angiomatosis.

Treatments for microcystic adnexal carcinoma--A review.

INTRODUCTION: Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare malignant cutaneous neoplasm presenting as a slow-growing, indurated nodule, papule or plaque. Clinically, the lesion can blend into the surrounding skin, obscuring borders and consequently delaying diagnosis histologically. Surgical and histologic techniques that emphasize examination of all margins may optimize management through early diagnosis and prevention of recurrences. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to assess the current surgical and histology techniques that result in lower rates of tumor recurrence and, consequently, better clinical outcomes. METHODS: A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify studies examining wide local excision (WLE), Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy in the treatment of MAC. RESULTS: WLE had a high likelihood of positive margins and local recurrence. MMS was found to have the lowest recurrence rates. Definitive RT could be considered for elderly patients or those who are poor surgical candidates, as large surgical defects may be required to obtain free margins with either WLE or MMS. Chemotherapy was found to be ineffective. CONCLUSION: Complete margin evaluation with MMS permits complete tumor removal with subsequently low recurrence rate.

Cutaneous manifestations of the Ebola virus.

The current Ebola outbreak has drawn attention to the virus in the medical community. Zaire ebolavirus, more commonly known as 'the Ebola virus,' is a level 4-security agent in the Filoviridae family. The main cutaneous finding of Ebola is a nonspecific maculopapular rash that appears between day four and six of disease. Patients have "ghost-like" features, and the rash initially presents on the upper arms, flexor forearms, and upper legs, sometimes in a centripetal fashion. Skin biopsy, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and electron microscopy can help provide early diagnosis and conceivably prevent spread if proper precautionary measures are in place.