Lichenoid Reactions in Association with Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Inhibitors: A Review of the Literature and Addition of a Fourth Lichenoid Reaction.

In this manuscript, a clinical case of a patient treated with adalimumab for Behcet's disease develops lichen planopilaris. A variety of mucocutaneous lichenoid eruptions have recently been described in association with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. The authors briefly discuss the clinical and pathological presentation of lichen planopilaris as well as a potential pathogenesis of cutaneous adverse effects seen as the result of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor therapy. They review all case reports of lichen planopilaris occurring on tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and suggest its classification as a fourth recognized pattern on this therapy.

Findings of osseous sclerotic bodies: a unique sequence of cutaneous bone formation in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a progressive and potentially fatal fibrosing skin disorder found mainly in patients with renal insufficiency. NSF is characterized by thickened and hyperpigmented skin lesions with or without systemic involvement. In essentially all patients, this disease entity has been associated with the administration of gadolinium contrast agents for imaging purposes. Microscopic recognition of this entity remains challenging, as the diagnosis is based on various clinical and histopathologic features that overlap with other fibrosing disorders. No single feature is absolutely specific for NSF. We report a finding of osseous sclerotic bodies with elastin trapping appearing on histopathology in the clinical setting of NSF with hemodialysis-dependent renal failure. Our report of an additional attribute indicative of NSF may aid in making the diagnosis.

Disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis: hyperinfection during medical immunosuppression.

Hyperinfection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis in iatrogenically immunosuppressed patients is becoming more frequently observed. Here, we review the relevant literature and present a recent case of hyperinfection syndrome of S stercoralis in a patient chronically treated with systemic corticosteroids and methotrexate for dermatomyositis. The patient was born in Guatemala but no history of Strongyloides infection was documented. Disseminated Strongyloides is often associated with the immunocompromised state and is commonly seen with cutaneous lesions, respiratory failure, and sepsis. In this patient, a protracted course of progressive muscle weakness and multiple hospital stays for respiratory distress led to acute respiratory failure, septic shock, and rapid physical decline. A few days preceding his death, the patient developed petechiae and multiple purpuric macules and patches over the abdomen and thighs. Histologic review of skin biopsy specimens demonstrated multiple intravascular and interstitial filariform larvae. Dermatologists should be aware of patient populations at risk for infection with S stercoralis and be able to make this diagnosis to initiate earlier treatment of hyperinfection and dissemination.