Isotretinoin as a promising option in the treatment of facial papules of frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary cicatricial alopecia characterized by hairline recession, pruritus, and facial papules (FP). Various therapies are used to stabilize disease activity and induce remission. However, FP of FFA is resistant to treatment in many cases. In this review, we searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to screen the published literature on treatment options for FP in the context of FFA. Overall, 12 studies were included in this review. Available literature suggests a noticeable improvement in resistant-to-treatment FP in FFA patients with oral isotretinoin. The available evidence is limited and is derived from retrospective studies and case reports/series. Systemic isotretinoin can be considered a promising therapeutic regimen for treating resistant-to-treatment FP of FFA patients. However, more extensive, well-designed studies are necessary for confirmatory evidence.

Recurrent facial microcystic adnexal carcinoma and hair transplantation on scar site.

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare kind of cutaneous neoplasm with a very aggressive local infiltration that destructs the affected tissues. Its rate of recurrence is high and it mostly involves the face and scalp regions and most of the patients get affected in the fourth or fifth decades of their life. Here in, we report a 61-year-old woman with a right-sided eyebrow MAC lesion with recurrency. Total excisional surgery was performed. A-T Flap surgery was applied on the involved area, and after a 2-year period of follow-up, with no recurrency, hair transplantation with follicular unit transplantation method was successfully performed on the scarred area. Although microcystic adnexal carcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm; dermatologists and ophthalmologists should consider it as a differential diagnosis, due to its aggressive local infiltration. Complete surgical excision and long-term follow-up must be applied to manage the disease. Also, hair transplantation with follicular unit transplantation technique can be considered as a beneficial method for treating scars resulted from MAC excisional surgery.

Mycosis fungoides with Psoriasiform plaques: A case report and review of the literature.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common variant of primary skin T-cell lymphoma. It typically manifests as an indolent progressing cutaneous eruption with erythematous scaly patches or plaques. Due to the nonspecific pathological findings, it can be easily misdiagnosed as psoriasis. A 34-year-old woman with a history of psoriasiform plaques for 12 years was referred to our dermatology clinic. In the beginning, the diagnosis of psoriasis was made and topical steroids were prescribed: it did not exhibit any clinical improvement. During the visit, skin biopsy was performed and the diagnosis of MF was confirmed. Treatment with PUVA, prednisolon, methotrexate, topical ointment including ucerin, urea, and clobetasol were initiated. Significant improvement in all lesions were observed after 1 month of the treatment, and within a year, the disease improved dramatically after PUVA therapy. In refractory cases of psoriasiform plaques that are progressive and/or ulcerative despite the optimal treatment, biopsy is required and a possible diagnosis of MF should be kept in mind.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of topical methimazole 5% monotherapy versus combination of Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser and topical methimazole 5% in patients with refractory melasma.

INTRODUCTION: Melasma is an acquired pigmentary disorder which currently has no definitive treatment. Although topical drugs containing hydroquinone are the basis of treatments, they are usually associated with recurrence. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of monotherapy with topical methimazole 5% versus combination of Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser and topical methimazole 5% in patients with refractory melasma. METHODS: A total of 27 women with refractory melasma were included. We applied topical methimazole 5% (once a day) with three passes of QSNd: YAG laser (Wavelength: 1064 nm, pulse energy: 750 mJ, fluence: 1.50  J/cm2 , spot size: 4 × 4 mm, hand piece: fractional, JEISYS company) for six sessions on the right half of the face, and topical methimazole 5% (once a day) on the left half of the face, for each patient. The treatment course was 12 weeks. Evaluation of effectiveness was done with the Physician Global Assessment (PGA), Patient Global Assessment (PtGA), Physician satisfaction (PS), Patients satisfaction (PtS), and mMASI score. RESULTS: PGA, PtGA, and PtS were not significantly different between the two groups at any time (p > 0.05). PS in the laser plus methimazole group was significantly better than methimazole group at 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks (p < 0.05). The rate of PGA improvement in the combination group was significantly better than the monotherapy over time (p < 0.001). The changes of mMASI score between the two groups did not significantly differ at any time (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the adverse events between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with topical methimazole 5% and QSNY laser can be considered as an effective way to treat refractory melasma.

Evaluating the combined efficacy of oral isotretinoin and topical tacrolimus versus oral finasteride and topical tacrolimus in frontal fibrosing alopecia-A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is complicated and challenging. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of combining topical tacrolimus with isotretinoin versus finasteride in patients with FFA. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-one patients with FFA were divided randomly into two groups. Therapeutic regimen of the first group (group A, n = 16) was isotretinoin and tacrolimus (Capsule isotretinoin 20 mg daily and topical tacrolimus 0.1% BD). The second group (group B, n = 15) was given finasteride and tacrolimus (Tablet finasteride 2.5 mg daily and topical tacrolimus 0.1% BD). Patients were treated and followed up periodically for 12 weeks. Evaluation of the treatment efficacy was based on Patient Global Assessment and Physician Global Assessment scales. Objective evaluation was based on improving the severity of skin lesions by viewing serial images taken from the affected areas. RESULTS: Physician Global Assessment (PGA) was significantly better in the group A as compared with the group B at 4 weeks (p = 0.038). Physician satisfaction in the group A was better than the group B at 12 weeks, but this was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Patient Global Assessment and patient satisfaction in the group A was better than the group B at 8 and 12 weeks, but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although both therapeutic regimens were effective in the treatment of FFA, treatment with tacrolimus and isotretinoin is significantly more effective than tacrolimus and finasteride.

Comparison of the efficacy of carboxytherapy versus fractional CO2 laser therapy for the treatment of periorbital dark circles: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Periorbital dark circles (PDC) is one of the most common cosmetic issues in today's society. Only moderate degree of improvement has been achieved by various available treatment options. The present study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of carboxytherapy and fractional CO2 laser therapy in the management of PDC. METHODS: In this split face study, 30 patients with bilateral PDC aged between 23 and 52 years were recruited who underwent carboxytherapy (n = 30) on PDC of one side of the face and fractional CO2 laser therapy (n = 30) on the PDC of other side. The entire treatment comprised of four sessions of each therapy with an interval of 2 weeks each time. The assessment was based on both subjective methods (patients' satisfaction and physician's judgment) and objective method (based on digital standard photographs). The degree of improvement from the patient's point of view (patient satisfaction) and physician's point of view (physician satisfaction) was assessed in different therapy sessions in comparison with the improvement after first session. RESULTS: The study included 30 patients with mean age of 38.22 ± 8.3 years. The mean disease duration was 45 ± 12.3 months. After the second therapy session, patients' satisfaction was remarkably better in the fractional CO2 laser therapy group than the carboxytherapy group, over the time. According to the physician satisfaction, the improvement rate was higher after the second and sixth weeks in the fractional CO2 laser therapy group than the carboxytherapy group; whereas in other sessions, there were no statistically significant differences. There were no significant side effects observed in either group post-treatment each time. CONCLUSION: Fractional CO2 laser therapy is a better option to treat PDC than carboxytherapy. Also, mild side effects (including erythema, pain, and discomfort) were reported in both groups; with no significant difference between the groups.

The role of cytokines and vitamin D in vitiligo pathogenesis.

Vitiligo is a pigment-related disease with a global prevalence of 0.2% to 1.8% associated with considerable burden on quality of life. The treatment is still a challenge because of relapses and/or incomplete re-pigmentation. Although the exact cause is still unclear, its pathogenesis seems to be justifiable with the autoimmune theory, supported by the results of clinical research. In this narrative review, we aimed to summarize the evidence related to cytokines and vitiligo development. This review is consisted of English articles published in PubMed and Google Scholar concerning levels of inflammatory mediators, especially interleukins, in vitiligo patients over the last 20 years. References of relevant articles were also considered for review. Crucial role of dysregulated levels of interleukins and their synergistic function to each other, in the onset or progression of the disease is evident. The theory of autoimmune vitiligo is reinforced by the results of the studies in the literature, due to the association of pathogenesis with increased secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and reduction of anti-inflammatory mediators. Decreased vitamin D levels may have a considerable role in vitiligo development by affecting Th1- and Th17-related immune responses. Cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis or progression of the disease. Moreover, we believe that decreased vitamin D level has a considerable role in vitiligo development by affecting Th1- and Th17-related immune responses.

Rituximab as the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris in the COVID-19 pandemic era: A narrative review.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV), an autoimmune blistering disease is treated with immunosuppressive medications. As the immunosuppressive effect of rituximab, the first-line therapy of PV, lasts more than 6 months, many concerns have raised due to the ongoing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. With this background, our objective was to review the currently available literature as well as important websites for the evidence related to rituximab, PV and COVID-19, adverse effects associated with drugs, and relevant guidelines. "PubMed" and "Google Scholar" database were systematically searched for retrieving all articles related to anti-CD20 therapy in pemphigus vulgaris and COVID-19 published up to 14 July 2020. A total of seven clinical studies are performed with anti-CD20 therapy in COVID-19, three of which are performed on pemphigus patients, and have shown concerns employing rituximab in patients with COVID-19. Evidence for treating PV patients with rituximab in COVID-19 pandemic is limited. Until sufficient evidence or guideline for pemphigus and COVID-19 treatment is available, we advocate caution commencing rituximab in patients with pemphigus, due to the reported adverse outcomes.

Clinical features and para-clinical findings of cryptococcal meningitis in the North of Iran during 2011-19.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is a serious fungal infection that especially affects patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this regard, the present retrospective study aimed to analyze the clinical and laboratory features and therapeutic outcomes of patients with CM admitted to two teaching referral centers in the north of Iran during 2011-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on all the hospitalized patients diagnosed with CM in two therapeutic centers of infectious diseases in the north of Iran. The required data, such as demographic characteristics and clinical and paraclinical features of patients, were extracted and entered in the information forms. Finally, the collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16). RESULTS: For the purpose of the study, records of 12 confirmed CM patients were evaluated in this research. Based on the results, 75% of the patients were male. Moreover, the average age of the subjects was 40.33± 8.93 years old and 66.6% of them (n=8) were HIV-positive. Other underlying diseases among HIV-positive patients included infection with hepatitis C virus (25%) and a history of tuberculosis (25%). In total, three HIV-negative patients suffered from Hodgkin lymphoma (25%), sarcoidosis (25%), and asthma (25%) and one patient (25%) had no underlying disease. Headache (75%), weakness, and fatigue (75%) were the most common symptoms among the participants. The cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count in all HIV-positive patients was less than 100 cells/µl. There was no significant difference between symptoms in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. Besides, no significant difference was observed between the groups of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients regarding the period between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of CM, the length of hospital stay, and the duration of antifungal medication consumption. In total, three patients (25%) expired, and six patients recovered. The CM recurred in two HIV-negative and one HIV-positive subjects; the two HIV-negative patients were treated, while the HIV-positive patient expired due to this recurrence. CONCLUSION: Clinical features and cerebrospinal fluid parameters were not different in HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants. Despite the fact that CM is not common in Iran, due to the increasing number of immunosuppressive patients, the differential diagnosis of CM should be considered for patients with signs and symptoms of infection in the central nervous system.