Risk factors for frontal fibrosing alopecia: A case-control study in a multiracial population.

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a chronic cicatricial alopecia with unknown etiology and a worldwide rising incidence. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of FFA with demographic and exposure factors in a Brazilian multiracial population. METHODS: A multicenter case-control study was conducted in 11 referral centers throughout Brazil. The study was a case-control study that prospectively recruited 902 participants (451 patients with FFA and 451 sex-matched control individuals). Study participants completed a thorough questionnaire comprising variables grouped as baseline demographics, environmental exposure, diet, hormonal factors, allergies, and hair and skin care. RESULTS: When adjusted by sex, age, menopause, and skin color, FFA was associated with hair straightening with formalin (odds ratio [OR], 3.18), use of ordinary (nondermatologic) facial soap (OR, 2.09) and facial moisturizer (OR, 1.99), thyroid disorders (OR, 1.69), and rosacea (OR, 2.08). Smokers (OR, 0.33) and users of antiresidue/clarifying shampoo (OR, 0.35) presented a negative association with FFA. There was no association with the use of sunscreen. LIMITATIONS: Recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: The association with moisturizers, ordinary facial soap, and hair straightening with formalin and the negative association with antiresidue/clarifying shampoo reinforce the possibility of an exogenous particle triggering FFA.

Trichoscopy of Steroid-Induced Atrophy.

Intralesional corticosteroid (IL-CS) injections have been used to treat a variety of dermatological and nondermatological diseases. Although an important therapeutic tool in dermatology, a number of local side effects, including skin atrophy, have been reported following IL-CS injections. We recently noticed that a subset of patients with steroid-induced atrophy presented with ivory-colored areas under trichoscopy. We performed a retrospective analysis of trichoscopic images and medical records from patients presenting ivory-colored areas associated with atrophic scalp lesions. In this paper, we associate this feature with the presence of steroid deposits in the dermis and report additional trichoscopic features of steroid-induced atrophy on the scalp, such as prominent blood vessels and visualization of hair bulbs.

Consensus on melanonychia nail plate dermoscopy.

This statement, focused on melanonychia and nail plate dermoscopy, is intended to guide medical professionals working with melanonychia and to assist choosing appropriate management for melanonychia patients. The International Study Group on Melanonychia was founded in 2007 and currently has 30 members, including nail experts and dermatopathologists with special expertise in nails. The need for common definitions of nail plate dermoscopy was addressed during the Second Meeting of this Group held in February 2008. Prior to this meeting and to date (2010) there have been no evidence-based guidelines on the use of dermoscopy in the management of nail pigmentation.

O'Brien's actinic granuloma: an unusually extensive presentation.

O'Brien's actinic granuloma is a rare skin disease. Controversy continues over whether it should be considered a specific condition or a form of granuloma annulare located in sun-exposed areas. Its pathogenesis is unknown; however, the most widely accepted hypothesis suggests that solar radiation is the triggering factor. This paper describes the case of a 78-year old, fair-skinned male, who presented with a 10-year history of an infiltrate of annular erythematous papules on his forehead and left malar region. The diagnosis of O'Brien actinic granuloma was established from histopathology, since the clinical condition of the patient was extensive, unlike cases reported in the literature.

Granuloma actínico de O'Brien: apresentação clínica exuberante / O'Brien's actinic granuloma: an unusually extensive presentation

O granuloma actínico de O'Brien é uma doença cutânea rara. Há muitas controvérsias na sua caracterização, podendo representar uma entidade nosológica distinta ou uma forma de granuloma anular em áreas expostas. A patogênese é desconhecida; no entanto, acredita-se que a radiação solar seja um fator desencadeante. Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente de 78 anos, branco, que apre sentava há 10 anos pápulas eritematosas e infiltradas na fronte e hemiface à esquerda. O diagnóstico de granuloma actínico de O'Brien foi estabelecido a partir do exame histopatológico, uma vez que o quadro clínico exuberante apresentado pelo paciente diferia do de casos anteriormente observados.

O'Brien's actinic granuloma is a rare skin disease. Controversy continues over whether it should be considered a specific condition or a form of granuloma annulare located in sun-exposed areas. Its pathogenesis is unknown; however, the most widely accepted hypothesis suggests that solar radiation is the triggering factor. This paper describes the case of a 78-year old, fair-skinned male, who presented with a 10-year history of an infiltrate of annular erythematous papules on his forehead and left malar region. The diagnosis of O'Brien actinic granuloma was established from histopathology, since the clinical condition of the patient was extensive, unlike cases reported in the literature.

[Dermoscopy in nail psoriasis]. / Aspectos dermatoscópicos na psoríase ungueal.

The authors report on their experience with the use of dermoscopy in nail psoriasis and describe their findings with this diagnostic tool.

Aspectos dermatoscópicos na psoríase ungueal / Dermoscopy in nail psoriasis

Os autores relatam sua experiência no uso da dermatoscopia na psoríase ungueal e descrevem os achados dessa ferramenta diagnóstica.

The authors report on their experience with the use of dermoscopy in nail psoriasis and describe their findings with this diagnostic tool.

Nail involvement in epidermolysis bullosa.

Nail abnormalities are a common feature in most subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), and they recently have been included among the criteria for scoring EB severity. Trauma undoubtedly contributes to the development of nail dystrophy, and for this reason the great toenails often are affected more severely. The nail abnormalities may be the first or the only symptom of EB. Nail abnormalities observed in EB are not specific or pathognomonic, as they result from nail bed and matrix scarring. The spectrum of clinical severity is large, and nail abnormalities may cause severe disability or just be a mild cosmetic problem. This article reviews the nail abnormalities observed in EB.

Dealing with melanonychia.

Melanonychia describes a brown or black pigmentation of the nail plate caused by the presence of melanin. In this article, we review possible causes of melanonychia and discuss the main problems of management of patients with this condition. The goal in the management of melanonychia is early diagnosis of melanoma of the nail matrix and bed. Melanoma of the nail bed is also known as subungual melanoma. We discuss clinical, dermoscopic features that may help the clinician in selecting lesions that should have excisional biopsy and evaluate different options for the excision. Addressing melanonychia is still a difficult task, and the correct management of pigmented bands in children is far from established. Dermoscopy is possibly a useful tool but the real benefit of this technique, screening lesions to determine which ones need to be removed, remains to be proven.

Frequency and main sites of allergic contact dermatitis caused by nail varnish.

BACKGROUND: Liquid nail varnish has been used since 1919, and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) has been recognized for at least 80 years, but it is difficult for nonspecialists to identify this condition. OBJECTIVES: (1) To verify the frequency of ACD from nail varnish in patients with a presumptive diagnosis of contact dermatitis seen at an outpatient clinic, (2) to characterize the groups studied according to site of skin disorder, and (3) to determine the main sensitizer related to varnish. METHODS: Patients with a final diagnosis of ACD caused by nail varnish were assessed by means of retrospective analysis of medical charts and protocols used in the clinic from January 1996 to December 2006. Patch tests with the Brazilian standard series and a complementary series were applied to all patients. RESULTS: Diagnosis of ACD from nail varnish was made in 8% of cases (157 of 1,971). The most affected sites were the face and neck; however, involvement of some uncommon areas, such as periungual and perianal regions, was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: ACD from nail polishes is a common event and recognition of the condition must be improved. Toluenesulfonamide formaldehyde resin (TSFR) was the most common allergen in the group studied.

Você conhece esta síndrome? / Do you know this syndrome?

Paquidermoperiostose é genodermatose autossômica dominante rara, que afeta pele e ossos, porém sua prevalência e incidência permanecem desconhecidas. Ocorre predominantemente em homens, que também mostram fenótipo mais grave da doença. Descrevese o caso de paciente do sexo masculino, de 60 anos.

Pachydermoperiostosis is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis characterized by bone and cutaneous involvement, even though its prevalence and incidence are ignored. It occurs predominantly in men, which present a more serious clinical presentation. We report a case of a 60-year-old man with this disease.

Histological study of the liver and biochemistry of the blood of Wistar rats following ligature of right hepatic duct.

PURPOSE: To observe the histological alterations in the liver and biochemistry in the blood that can happen in Wistar rat, after the ligature of right hepatic duct. METHODS: In this study were used rats (n=46) of Wistar pedigree. The animal groups (n=46) were distributed in 6 experimented sub-groups (n=6). It was held a ligature surgery of the right hepatic duct and euthanasia in 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 and 90 days and the biochemistry control group (n=10), that animals had 2ml of their blood taken by cardiac puncture for biochemistry study with value analyses of bilirubins, transaminasis, lactic desidrogenasis, alkaline phophatase and gamma-glutamil-transferase. Given the expected time of each group, the animals were submitted to anesthesia procedure and cavity re-opening, being held intra-cardiac puncture and with 2ml blood collected for biochemistry analyses. It was proceeded the liver resection, being the liver put in formol solution to 10% for a period of 24 hours and taken to the histology. RESULTS: It was not possible to identify results that express significant differences as the existence of alterations histological and biochemical between the different groups. CONCLUSION: At the end of the study, it was not possible to identify histological and biochemical alterations that express significant differences between livers of the animals from the right linked hepatic duct and the animals of the control group.

Histological study of the liver and biochemistry of the blood of Wistar rats following ligature of right hepatic duct

PURPOSE: To observe the histological alterations in the liver and biochemistry in the blood that can happen in Wistar rat, after the ligature of right hepatic duct. METHODS: In this study were used rats (n=46) of Wistar pedigree. The animal groups (n=46) were distributed in 6 experimented sub-groups (n=6). It was held a ligature surgery of the right hepatic duct and euthanasia in 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 and 90 days and the biochemistry control group (n=10), that animals had 2ml of their blood taken by cardiac puncture for biochemistry study with value analyses of bilirubins, transaminasis, lactic desidrogenasis, alkaline phophatase and gamma-glutamil-transferase. Given the expected time of each group, the animals were submitted to anesthesia procedure and cavity re-opening, being held intra-cardiac puncture and with 2ml blood collected for biochemistry analyses. It was proceeded the liver resection, being the liver putted in formol solution to 10 percent for a period of 24 hours and taken to the histology. RESULTS: It was not possible to identify results that express significant differences as the existence of alterations histological and biochemistrily between the different groups. CONCLUSION: At the end of the study, it was not possible to identify histological and biochemistrily alterations that express significant differences between livers of the animals from the right linked hepatic duct and the animals of the control group.

INTRODUÇÃO: a colestase é uma situação grave e geralmente letal. Habitualmente a obstrução do fluxo da secreção biliar ocorre por lesão iatrogênica. Cerca de 80 por cento das lesões das vias OBJETIVO: Observar as alterações histológicas que possam ocorrer no fígado e bioquímicas no sangue de ratos Wistar, após ligadura do ducto hepático direito. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo foram utilizados ratos (n=46) da linhagem Wistar. O grupo de animais (n=46) foi dividido em 2 grupos: A experimento (n=36) e B controle bioquímico (n=10), sendo o grupo A subdividido em 6 subgrupos experimento (n=6). Foi realizada cirurgia para a ligadura do ducto hepático direito e eutanásia em 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 e 90 dias. No grupo B controle bioquímico (n=10), os animais tiveram 2ml de seu sangue retirado por punção cardíaca para estudo bioquímico com análise dos valores de bilirrubinas, transaminases, desidrogenase láctica, fosfatase alcalina e gama-glutamil-transferase. Dado o prazo de espera de cada grupo, os animais foram submetidos a procedimento anestésico e reabertura da cavidade, sendo realizada punção intracardíaca, com coleta de 2ml de sangue para análise bioquímica. Foi realizada a retirada do fígado, sendo o fígado fixado em solução de formol a 10 por cento por um período de 24 horas e encaminhado ao laboratório de histologia. RESULTADOS: Não foram encontrados resultados estatisticamente significantes quanto a existência de alterações histológicas e bioquímicas entre os diversos grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Ao final do estudo não se conseguiu identificar histológica e bioquimicamente, alterações que expressassem diferenças significativas entre os animais do grupo com o ducto hepático direito ligado e os animais do grupo controle.

Morphological analysis of three wound-cleaning processes on potentially contamined wounds in rats / Análise morfológica de três tipos de limpeza em feridas cutâneas potencialmente infectadas em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inflammatory response of potentially infected wounds treated with isotonic saline solution, chlorhexidine and PVP-I, seven days after surgery. METHODS: Thirty-two male rats were used, divided into 4 groups. All animals had their surgical wounds infected with a standard bacterial inoculum. Control group (A): animals had their surgical wounds sutured without any kind of cleaning. Saline solution group (B): animals had their wounds cleaned with saline solution. Chlorhexidine group (C): animals had their wounds cleaned with chlorhexidine. PVP-I group (D): animals had their wounds cleaned with PVP-I. Seven days after surgery, all the animals had their skin submitted to microscopic and macroscopic evaluation. RESULTS: Edema was found on all histological slices analyzed, as well as vascular proliferation and congestion. Groups A and D showed presence of mild neutrophilic infiltrate, and moderate lymphocytic and macrophage infiltrate. Group B showed severe neutrophilic, macrophage, and lymphocytic infiltrate. Group C showed moderate neutrophilic, macrophage, and lymphocytic infiltrate. CONCLUSION: Group D was the group which showed inflammatory infiltrate most similar to the group that was not submitted to treatment.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a resposta inflamatória da limpeza de feridas potencialmente infectadas tratadas com PVP-I, clorexidina e solução salina isotônica, no sétimo dia de pós-operatório, em ratos Wistar. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se 32 ratos distribuídos em quatro grupos. Os animais tiveram suas feridas operatórias infectadas com um inóculo bacteriano padrão. Grupo controle (A): os animais tiveram suas feridas operatórias suturadas sem a limpeza com qualquer substância. Grupo solução salina (B): os animais tiveram suas feridas operatórias lavadas com solução salina. Grupo Clorexidina (C): os animais tiveram suas feridas operatórias lavadas com clorexidina. Grupo PVP-I (D): os animais tiveram suas feridas operatórias lavadas com PVP-I. Após sete dias foi realizada a avaliação morfológica da pele. RESULTADOS: Em todos cortes histológicos observou-se a presença de edema, proliferação e congestão vascular. O grupo A e D mostraram a presença de um infiltrado neutrofílico discreto, macrofágico e linfocítico moderados. O grupo B, um infiltrado neutrofílico, macrofágico e linfocítico severos. O grupo C, um infiltrado de neutrófilos, macrófagos e linfócitos em moderada quantidade. CONCLUSÃO: O grupo D foi o grupo que apresentou o infiltrado inflamatório mais semelhante com o grupo que não recebeu nenhum tratamento.

Morphological analysis of three wound-cleaning processes on potentially contamined wounds in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inflammatory response of potentially infected wounds treated with isotonic saline solution, chlorhexidine and PVP-I, seven days after surgery. METHODS: Thirty-two male rats were used, divided into 4 groups. All animals had their surgical wounds infected with a standard bacterial inoculum. Control group (A): animals had their surgical wounds sutured without any kind of cleaning. Saline solution group (B): animals had their wounds cleaned with saline solution. Chlorhexidine group (C): animals had their wounds cleaned with chlorhexidine. PVP-I group (D): animals had their wounds cleaned with PVP-I. Seven days after surgery, all the animals had their skin submitted to microscopic and macroscopic evaluation. RESULTS: Edema was found on all histological slices analyzed, as well as vascular proliferation and congestion. Groups A and D showed presence of mild neutrophilic infiltrate, and moderate lymphocytic and macrophage infiltrate. Group B showed severe neutrophilic, macrophage, and lymphocytic infiltrate. Group C showed moderate neutrophilic, macrophage, and lymphocytic infiltrate. CONCLUSION: Group D was the group which showed inflammatory infiltrate most similar to the group that was not submitted to treatment.

Resistência de ratos à peritonite fecal quando submetidos a esplenectomia e auto-implante do baço no retroperitônio / Rats resistence to fecal peritonitis when subjected to total spleenectomy and auto-implant of the spleen in the retroperitoniun

OBJETIVO: O estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar os efeitos do autotransplante esplênico na proteção contra sepse abdominal em ratos Wistar jovens e adultos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 54 ratos Wistar jovens e adultos (90 e 180 dias respectivamente) sendo distribuídos em 3 grupos: Grupo Sham, onde os animais eram submetidos a laparotomia com manipulação de alças apenas (n=6 animais jovens adultos), Grupo Esplenectomia, no qual os animais eram submetidos a esplenectomia total (n=10 animais jovens e adultos) e Grupo Auto-implante, onde os animais eram submetidos a esplenectomia total e um terço do baço era implantado em uma bolsa no retroperitônio (n=10 animais jovens e adultos). Após três meses os animais eram submetidos a nova laparotomia com ligadura e perfuração do ceco para estimular a sepse abdominal e acompanhados até o momento do óbito para estabelecimento de uma curva de mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Houve recuperação do baço implantado em todos os animais. Não houve diferença significativa entre o tempo de óbito entre os grupos. Os animais jovens aparentemente tiveram uma melhor resposta embora não estatisticamente significativa. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou que o auto-implante de baço no retroperitônio não provê proteção efetiva contra sepse abdominal em comparação aos ratos esplenectomizados.

[Rats resistance to fecal peritonitis when subjected to total splenectomy and auto-implant of the spleen in the retroperitoneum]. / Resistência de ratos à peritonite fecal quando submetidos a esplenectomia e auto-implante do baço no retroperitônio.

PURPOSE: This study was developed to evaluated the effects of spleen transplants in the protection against abdominal sepsis in young and old Wistar rats. METHODS: Fifty-four young and old Wistar rats were utilized (90 and 180 days respectively) being distributed in three groups as follows: Sham Group, where the animal were submitted to laparotomy with manipulation of only intestine (n=12 young and adult animals), Splenectomy Group, in which the animals were subjected to total splenectomy (n=20 young and adult animals) and an Auto-implant Group, where the animals were subjected to total splenectomy and a third of the spleen was implanted in a bag in the retroperitoneum (n=22 young and adult animals). After three months the animals were subjected to a new laparotomy with binding and caecum perforation to stimulate abdominal sepsis and were accompanied until the moment of death to establish a mortality curve. RESULTS: There was recuperation of the spleen implanted in all animals. There was no significant difference in the time of death among the groups. The young animals apparently had a better response, however it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that spleen implant in the retroperitoneum do not prove to be an effective protection against abdominal sepsis in comparison with the splenectomized rats.