Global Recommendations on COVID-19 Vaccines and Soft Tissue Filler Reactions: A Survey-Based Investigation in Cooperation With the International Society for Dermatologic and Aesthetic Surgery (ISDS).

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have surfaced from the United States Food and Drug Administration hearings in December 2020 regarding the COVID-19 vaccines and study participants who developed facial and/or lip swelling after receiving the newly developed drug. Despite an incidence rate of 0.02% in the vaccine arm of the Moderna mRNA-1273 trial, concerns have been expressed about the association of adverse reactions following soft tissue filler injections and the COVID-19 vaccines. The International Society for Dermatologic and Aesthetic Surgery (ISDS) understands these concerns and has designed the following study. METHODS: A global survey was designed to capture the incidence of adverse events related to: (1) previous soft tissue filler injections, (2) soft tissue filler injections during positive testing for COVID-19, and (3) soft tissue filler injections during and after receiving any of the COVID-19 vaccines globally available. RESULTS: The information of 106 survey participants from 18 different countries was analyzed. 80.2% (n=85) never experienced any adverse reaction following their soft tissue filler injection whereas 15.1% (n=16) experienced swelling and 4.7% (n=5) experienced pain that lasted longer than two days. Of those who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (n=78), 94.9% reported not to have experienced any adverse reaction related to their previous soft tissue filler injection, whereas 5.1% (n=4) reported to have perceived pain that lasted longer than two days. CONCLUSION: The data collected does not support the concern for an increased risk of developing adverse reactions following soft tissue filler injections associated with the COVID-19 vaccines compared to that risk associated with other previously described triggers or the default risk following soft tissue filler injections. J Drugs Dermatol. 20(4):374-378. doi:10.36849/JDD.2021.6041.

Treatment of cutaneous larva migrans with a single session of carbon dioxide laser: a study of ten cases in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) has a detrimental effect on patients' emotional and physical quality of life. Due to local unavailability of gold standard oral treatments for CLM, carbon dioxide laser was attempted. We present a case series where a single session of carbon dioxide laser treatment was associated with cessation of signs and symptoms of CLM. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single session of carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of CLM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten cases (eight patients) with CLM were treated with one session of carbon dioxide laser treatment and followed up daily for the first week with photographic documentation and then weekly for the next 3 weeks to complete a 4 week follow-up period. RESULTS: The first cases in our series, who received one to two passes of fractional CO2 laser, experienced further larval migration for 2-3 days, after which no more progression was noted. For the next seven cases, we increased the number of CO2 laser passes to 3-4, and noted no further larval migration. At the end of the 4-week follow-up period, all CO2 laser-treated areas were completely healed, leaving postinflammatory hyperpigmentation of the serpiginous track. CONCLUSION: The results of this case series indicate the efficacy of a single session of CO2 laser in treating CLM. Further studies are required to identify the minimum number of passes required to effectively control CLM.

A rapidly growing giant cutaneous horn on the chest.

BACKGROUND: A giant cutaneous horn (GCH) is a morphologic description of conical lesion with a dense, hyperkeratotic protrusion of more than 1 cm in height that resembles an animal horn but without its bony core. These can occur in association with benign, premalignant or malignant cutaneous diseases which can be determined by excision and histopathologic review of the base. A PubMed search (performed June 2015) revealed 54 cases of giant cutaneous horns in world literature. The most common site affected was the scalp followed by lip and leg. The commonest histological diagnosis found was squamous cell carcinoma followed by verruca vulgaris and trichilemmal horns. MAIN OBSERVATION: We present an 85-year-old Filipino female with a one year history of a rapidly growing skin lesion on her upper chest. This was excised fully and histological review of the base demonstrated a keratoacanthoma. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first known occurrence of a giant cutaneous horn on the chest. While giant cutaneous horns are more commonly associated with malignant lesions, differential diagnosis includes benign lesions such as keratoacanthomas. This differential can be considered in a rapidly growing lesion. Excision and histopathologic review of the base of a cutaneous horn are essential to guide potential further therapy.