Effectiveness of a combination of salicylic acid-based products for the treatment of mild comedonal-papular acne: a multicenter prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The most common therapeutic approach to acne is a combined treatment of retinoid and benzoyl peroxide, with oral antibiotics recommended for moderate-to-severe cases. These kinds of therapies often lead to adverse reactions, leading to the request for new therapeutic options. Recently, the combined use of three salicylic acid-based products for the topical treatment of acne has been related to a significant improvement in acne lesions. METHODS: A multicenter prospective observational study was carried out on patients with a diagnosis of mild comedonal-papular facial acne to provide new evidence on the clinical effectiveness, tolerability and acceptability of three salicylic acid-based products for the topical treatment of acne in the daily clinical practice. Clinical effectiveness on lesions improvement, the evaluation of personal discomfort related to acne and the assessment of overall clinical outcome were the primary endpoints. Treatment acceptability and tolerability were also evaluated. RESULTS: The treatment with the three salicylic acid-based products has been related to a significant improvement on acne lesions over 8 weeks of treatment, along with a reduction of personal discomfort related to acne and an improvement on lesions appearance. The products have also shown good acceptability and tolerability. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this observational study support the effective and well-tolerated use of a combined treatment with three salicylic acid-based products for the topical treatment of acne.

[A patient with perfectly aligned itching papules of the back after hijama therapy]. / Een patiënte met huidafwijkingen na hijama-therapie.

A 31-year-old woman was seen at our clinic with itching papules of the back after hijama treatments. Hijama treatments consist of superficially cutting the skin followed by cupping and are applied for a diversity of complaints, including pain. Our patient initially presented with sensitive and burning sensations at the cutting sites, but recently, the cutting sites started to itch as well. At physical examination, we saw perfectly aligned papules with a sign of Wickham's striae on her back where the skin had been cut. Further examination revealed comparable, solitary papules on the inside of her wrist, flank and chest. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis lichen planus. The patient was prescribed betamethasone cream and we advised against further hijama treatments.

CARD14-associated papulosquamous eruption: A spectrum including features of psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris.

BACKGROUND: Heterozygous mutations in caspase recruitment domain family member 14 gene (CARD14) have been shown to be associated with psoriasis and familial pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP). Many subjects with CARD14 mutations display features of both disorders, which can result in diagnostic uncertainty. In addition, these eruptions are often recalcitrant to conventional psoriasis therapies such as methotrexate, oral retinoids, and tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the clinical characteristics, family history, and response to therapy in subjects with papulosquamous eruptions due to mutations in CARD14. METHODS: Subjects were referred for genetic testing as part of a registry of subjects with inherited disorders of keratinization. DNA was isolated from blood or saliva, and multiplex targeted sequencing or whole exome sequencing was performed. Clinical histories of subjects with CARD14 mutations were reviewed. RESULTS: We identified 15 kindreds with CARD14-associated papulosquamous eruption (CAPE). Characteristic features of CAPE include early age of onset; prominent involvement of the cheeks, chin, and ears; family history of psoriasis or PRP; minimal response to conventional topical and systemic psoriasis therapies; and improvement with ustekinumab. LIMITATIONS: Relatively small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Many subjects with CARD14 mutations display characteristics of both psoriasis and PRP. We propose the term CARD14-associated papulosquamous eruption to describe this spectrum of disease. Subjects with clinical features suggestive of CAPE should undergo CARD14 sequencing and may benefit from treatment with ustekinumab.

Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis: A report of a typical case.

BACKGROUND: Reactive perforating collagenosis (RPC) is a rare form of transepithelial elimination, in which altered collagen is extruded through the epidermis. There are 2 types of RPC, acquired RPC (ARPC) and inherited RPC, while the latter is extremely rare. Here we report on 1 case of ARPC. METHODS: A 73-year-old female was presented with strongly itchy papules over her back and lower limbs for 3 months. She denied the history of oozing or vesiculation. A cutaneous examination showed diffusely distributed multiple well-defined keratotic papules, 4 to 10 mm in diameter, on the bilateral lower limbs and back as well as a few papules on her chest and forearm. Scratching scars were over the resolved lesions while Koebner phenomenon was negative. The patient had a history of type 2 diabetes for 15 years. Laboratory examinations showed elevated blood glucose level. Skin lesion biopsy showed a well-circumscribed area of necrosis filled with a keratotic plug. Parakeratotic cells and lymphocytic infiltration could be seen in the necrosed area. In dermis, sparse fiber bundles were seen perforating the epidermis. These degenerated fiber bundles were notarized as collagen fiber by elastic fiber stain, suggesting a diagnosis of RPC. RESULTS: Then a diagnosis of ARPC was made according to the onset age and the history of diabetes mellitus. She was treated with topical application of corticosteroids twice a day and oral antihistamine once a day along with compound glycyrrhizin tablets 3 times a day. And the blood glucose was controlled in a satisfying range. Two months later, a significant improvement was seen in this patient. CONCLUSION: Since there is no efficient therapy to RPC, moreover, ARPC is considered to be associated with some systemic diseases, the management of the coexisting disease is quite crucial. The patient in this case received a substantial improvement due to the control of blood glucose and application of compound glycyrrhizin tablets.

Erythema, papules, and arthralgia associated with liver cancer: report of a rare case of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis.

We report a rare case of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) associated with liver carcinoma. A 36-year-old man who had been diagnosed as having liver carcinoma for 2 years presented with a 2-month history of multiple papulonodules on the face, ears, neck, and upper chest, accompanied by progressive polyarthralgia of the hands, wrists, elbows and knee joints without fever or chills. Skin histology revealed well defined dermal infiltrate consisting of multinucleated giant cells and macrophages having abundant eosinophilic finely granular cytoplasm with ground glass appearance. Further immunohistochemical studies characterized the lesions as positive for CD68, CD45 and Vimentin. A diagnosis of MRH that was associated with liver cancer was made. Treatment with prednisolone for 2 months resulted in a significant improvement of the skin and joint symptoms, but was discontinued due to his significant enlargement and extensive metastases of the liver carcinoma.

Predictors of Tumor Response to Cetuximab and Panitumumab in 116 Patients and a Review of Approaches to Managing Skin Toxicity.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cetuximab and panitumumab are monoclonal antibodies that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Most patients develop a papulopustular rash, which may predict tumor response. We studied whether the other adverse cutaneous effects associated with these monoclonal antibodies are also clinical predictors of response. We also reviewed publications describing approaches to treating the papulopustular rash since no evidence-based guidelines have yet been published. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 116 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving anti-EGRF therapy with cetuximab or panitumumab at Hospital Universitario Donostia. RESULTS: In total, 81.9% of the patients developed a papulopustular rash. Patients who received the most cycles of treatment with the EGFR inhibitor were at the highest risk of developing the rash, and these patients also had the most severe rash reactions (P=.03). All of the patients who exhibited a complete tumor response had the rash, and the incidence of rash was lower in patients with poor tumor response (P=.03). We also observed an association between tumor response and xerosis (53.4% of the patients who developed xerosis also exhibited tumor response, P=.002). The papulopustular rash was managed according to an algorithm developed by our department. CONCLUSIONS: Severe papulopustular rash and xerosis may be clinical predictors of good response to anti-EGFR therapy. Patients who develop a papulopustular rash should be treated promptly because suboptimal treatment of this and other adverse effects can lead to delays in taking the prescribed anti-EGFR dose or to interruption of therapy.

Two cases of lichen striatus with prolonged active phase.

Lichen striatus is a localized, eczematous disorder distributed along the lines of Blaschko, primarily affecting children. In the literature, lesions have been described as having an active phase of inflamed lesions for 6 to 12 months followed by flattening and persistent pigmentary alteration. We describe two girls who had prolonged active-phase lesions for 2.5 and 3.5 years, respectively. Practitioners should be aware that lesions of lichen striatus may have a prolonged active phase.