Auricular reconstruction after Mohs micrographic surgery: analysis of 101 cases.

BACKGROUND: The ear is a region that has a high prevalence of cutaneous carcinomas and several guidelines indicate Mohs micrographic surgery as the first-choice treatment in such cases. Although the technique allows maximum preservation of healthy tissue, many auricular surgical wounds constitute a challenge due to the peculiar local anatomy, with evident curves and reliefs. Auricular reconstruction should prioritize function before aesthetics, but without leaving the latter aside, since postoperative distortions can have a significant psychological impact. OBJECTIVE: To describe the authors' experience in auricular reconstruction after Mohs surgery and to evaluate the most frequently used repair methods. METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive cases submitted to Mohs surgery and auricular reconstruction, over a period of 3 years. RESULTS: One hundred and one cases were included and the most common repair method was primary closure (n = 35), followed by full-thickness skin graft (n = 30) and flaps (n = 24). In thirty cases, reconstruction methods were associated. Seven patients had complications (partial graft necrosis, postoperative bleeding or infection). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design and the absence of long-term follow-up of some cases. CONCLUSIONS: The dermatologic surgeon should be familiarized with different options for auricular reconstruction. Primary closure and skin grafts were the most frequently used repair methods.

Appropriate use criteria for basal cell carcinoma Mohs surgery at a single center in the face of high-burden skin cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) promotes high cure rates, but accessibility to MMS is limited in distinctive realities and countries. OBJECTIVE: We sought to verify applicable criteria for MMS indication and prioritization regarding basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the face of various limitations. METHODS: We analyzed MMS-excised BBC, without patient exclusion, through a retrospective cohort study at a single university center. RESULTS: Mohs micrographic surgery was performed in 101 BCCs, average size = 5.44 ± 11.91 cm2, 56.44% ≥ 20 mm. Most BCCs were in the H-zone (87.13%) and on the nose (52.47%). Histology showed high-risk pattern in most of tumors (69.31%), primary (64.71%), and recurrent (74.0%) BCC. Nasal (p = .01) and recurrent BCC (p = .03) had increased risk for two or more MMS stages. Appropriate use criteria were considered for all cases of BCC removed by a single stage (60.40%), two or more stages (39.60%), and three or more MMS stages (10.89%). The latter two conditions were associated with a higher number of MMS criteria (p = .02; p = .03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: All excised BCCs fulfilled criteria for MMS indication, among them recurrent and nasal BCCs stood out. The greater number of criteria may be a predictive factor for subclinical extension and can help prioritize indications for MMS.

Atypical cellular blue nevus or malignant blue nevus?

Blue nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion whose most frequent variants are dendritic (common) blue nevus and cellular blue nevus. Atypical cellular blue nevus presents an intermediate histopathology between the typical and a rare variant of malignant blue nevus/melanoma arising in a cellular blue nevus. An 8-year-old child presented a pigmented lesion in the buttock since birth, but with progressive growth in the last two years. After surgical excision, histopathological examination revealed atypical cellular blue nevus. Presence of mitoses, ulceration, infiltration, cytological atypia or necrosis may occur in atypical cellular blue nevus, making it difficult to differentiate it from melanoma. The growth of blue nevus is unusual and considered of high-risk for malignancy, being an indicator for complete resection and periodic follow-up of these patients.

Atypical cellular blue nevus or malignant blue nevus?

Abstract: Blue nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion whose most frequent variants are dendritic (common) blue nevus and cellular blue nevus. Atypical cellular blue nevus presents an intermediate histopathology between the typical and a rare variant of malignant blue nevus/melanoma arising in a cellular blue nevus. An 8-year-old child presented a pigmented lesion in the buttock since birth, but with progressive growth in the last two years. After surgical excision, histopathological examination revealed atypical cellular blue nevus. Presence of mitoses, ulceration, infiltration, cytological atypia or necrosis may occur in atypical cellular blue nevus, making it difficult to differentiate it from melanoma. The growth of blue nevus is unusual and considered of high-risk for malignancy, being an indicator for complete resection and periodic follow-up of these patients.

Análise da freqüência de trombofilia em pacientes com atrofia branca de Milian / Frequency analysis of thrombophilia in patients with atrophie blanche

FUNDAMENTOS - Atrofia branca de Milian ou vasculopatia livedóide é entidade clinicopatológica rara, cuja patogênese não é completamente compreendida. OBJETIVOS - Avaliar casos de atrofia branca de Milian para verificar a prevalência de diversas trombofilias. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS - Quatorze pacientes foram submetidos a exames laboratoriais incluindo pesquisa de fator V (Leiden), protrombina mutante, dosagem de antitrombina, proteína S e C, pesquisa de anticorpos anticardiolipina e anticoagulante lúpico, dosagem de homocisteína e pesquisa da mutação da metilenotetraidrofolatoredutase. RESULTADOS - Dos nove doentes cujos critérios de inclusão foram preenchidos para análise da freqüência de trombofilia, foram encontrados quatro com fatores relacionados à trombofilia: deficiência da antitrombina (um caso), deficiência da proteína S (um caso), mutação da metilenotetraidrofolatoredutase com hiperhomocisteinemia (um caso) e presença de anticorpo anticardiolipina (um caso). CONCLUSÃO - Apesar de este estudo não apresentar casuística que possibilite a comparação com a população geral, os dados sugerem a presença de eventos geradores de trombofilia nesses doentes, contribuindo para adoção sistemática de um protocolo de investigação de trombofilia nos doentes portadores de vasculopatia livedóide no Brasil.

INTRODUCTION: Atrophie blanche, or livedoid vasculopathy, is a rare clinicopathological entity of unknown etiology. A "thrombo-occlusive process" theory has recently been accepted. OBJECTIVES: To search the presence of several thrombophilic abnormalities in patients with livedoid vasculopathy. METHODS: Fourteen patients were evaluated and tested for factor V Leiden, prothrombin 20210G/A variant, antithrombin, C and S proteins, anticardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant antibodies, homocysteine and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation. RESULTS: Nine patients met all criteria to be included in the analysis and four of them had a thrombophilic state: antithrombin deficiency (one case), protein S deficiency (one case), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation with hyperhomocysteinemia (one case) and presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (one case). CONCLUSIONS: Although this tendency cannot be statistically proven, thrombophilic abnormalities seem to be more frequent in patients with atrophie blanche, indicating that screening for thrombophilia of all patients with livedoid vasculopathy might be recommended.