Trichoscopic Evaluation of Tinea Capitis.

Tinea capitis is a widespread fungal infection that is even more common in rural areas of the world predominantly among children. The diagnosis of the infection and the identification of the responsible dermatophyte are determined by potassium hydroxide mount microscopy, Wood's lamp examination and mycological culture of the skin scrapings and hair samples. Nevertheless, this conventional setting has several limitations such as lack of availability, low sensitivity and specifity, and particularly prolonged turnaround time for fungal culture. Trichoscopy is a well-proven practical and beneficial aid to faciliate the diagnosis of scalp and hair disorders. Studies performed during the last 15 years revealed several characteristic trichoscopic findings of non-inflammatory tinea capitis namely comma hairs, corkscrew hairs, Morse code-like hairs and zigzag hairs. Thereby, trichoscopy has proved itself in the establishment of prompt diagnosis of TC, identification of the responsible fungus enabling to appropiate treatment on time, and evaluating treatment response by screening the clearance of the trichoscopic features.

Comparison of 10 versus 20 sessions tap water iontophoresis efficacy in the treatment of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Tap water iontophoresis (TWI) is an effective treatment option for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis (HH). However, the optimal number and frequency of TWI sessions to control profuse sweating are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 10 and 20 sessions of TWI in patients with palmoplantar HH and determine the adequate number of sessions to achieve a favorable clinical response. METHODS: Eighty patients treated with TWI for palmoplantar HH were included. The alteration in sweating intensity considering the mean value of gravimetric measurement and mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores after the 10th and 20th session of TWI were calculated. The difference between performing 10 and 20 sessions of TWI in providing improvement of HH was analyzed. We also conducted a telephone-based inquiry to determine the patients' outcome. RESULTS: The reduction in sweating intensity was significant both after the 10th (p < 0.001) and 20th (p < 0.001) sessions when compared with the basal level considering gravimetry and VAS. When the mean sweating intensity after the 10th and 20th sessions were compared, no difference was observed gravimetrically (p = 0.03); the difference between the mean score of VAS after the 10th and 20th sessions (p < 0.001) was significant. Eleven and nine patients not considering a maintenance or an alternative treatment had lower and same sweating intensity as compared with the baseline, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ten TWI sessions within two weeks for managing palmoplantar HH are adequate to achieve a clinical response. However, the patients are more satisfied when they receive 20 sessions instead of 10 sessions of TWI.

Evaluation of a Handheld Dermatoscope in Clinical Diagnosis of Primary Cicatricial Alopecias.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical diagnosis of primary cicatricial alopecias presents difficulties. Studies regarding their trichoscopic features are scarce and mostly not comprehensive. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential benefit of a handheld dermatoscope in clinical diagnosis of primary cicatricial alopecias. METHODS: In all, 69 patients with primary cicatricial alopecias were included in this prospective study. Preliminary diagnoses were established clinically, and confirmed by scalp biopsy in all cases. Trichoscopic examination was performed using a polarized-light handheld dermatoscope with tenfold magnification. The images were taken using a digital camera with threefold optical zoom. RESULTS: The following findings were significantly more common, or noted only, in particular types of primary cicatricial alopecias: "target" pattern blue-grey dots, perifollicular scaling, perifollicular cast in lichen planopilaris (n = 27); short vellus hairs, tufted hairs, crust formation, yellowish tubular scaling, pustule, red dots in folliculitis decalvans (n = 17); large keratotic yellow dots in discoid lupus erythematosus (n = 7); yellow dots, yellow dots with "three-dimensional" structure, black dots in dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (n = 6). Absence of vellus hairs was observed in patients with lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and discoid lupus erythematosus without a significant difference between the groups. Short vellus hairs were detected in all types, including frontal fibrosing alopecia (n = 7). CONCLUSION: We suggest that a polarized-light handheld dermatoscope is useful for revealing several typical trichoscopic features of primary cicatricial alopecias that guide clinical diagnosis. As a novel observation, our data indicate that absence of vellus hairs is not an identifying feature for frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Management of Kaposi sarcoma after solid organ transplantation: A European retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Systemic therapeutic management of post-transplant Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is mainly based on 3 axes: reduction of immunosuppression, conversion to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. OBJECTIVE: To obtain an overview of clinical strategies about the current treatment of KS. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study including 145 solid organ transplant recipients diagnosed with KS between 1985 and 2011 to collect data regarding first-line treatment and response at 6 months. RESULTS: Overall, 95%, 28%, and 16% of patients had reduction of immunosuppression, conversion to mTOR inhibitor, and chemotherapy, respectively. Patients treated with chemotherapy or mTOR inhibitor conversion were more likely to have visceral KS. At 6 months, 83% of patients had response, including 40% complete responses. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design of the study. CONCLUSION: Currently available therapeutic options seem to be effective to control KS in most patients. Tapering down the immunosuppressive regimen remains the cornerstone of KS management.

The Prevalence of Malassezia Folliculitis in Patients with Papulopustular/Comedonal Acne, and Their Response to Antifungal Treatment.

Because Malassezia folliculitis (MF) may clinically mimic acne vulgaris (AV), patients usually receive unnecessary and prolonged antibiotic treatment. We aimed to determine the prevalence of MF among patients with AV, and to evaluate its response to antifungal treatment. A total of 217 patients with AV underwent cytologic examination for the presence of Malassezia yeasts. Samples were obtained from lesional and nonlesional skin and stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa. MF was diagnosed if there were more than six spores in one microscopic field (at ×400 magnification). A modified "lesion-counting" method was used to assess the clinical severity of acne. Treatment included oral itraconazole (2×100 mg daily) and topical ketaconazole for 4 weeks. Fifty-five (25.3%) patients were diagnosed with MF; of these, 38 (69.1%) completed the antifungal treatment. The lesions decreased by 50% or more in 26 (68.4%) of the patients who completed the antifungal treatment, which reduced the number of closed comedones/comedolike or molluscoid papules and inflammatory papules. The average number of spores in lesional samples was significantly decreased after treatment (P=<.0005). We observed that MF can present with AV-like lesions, or the two diseases may coexist. Cytology is helpful for making the correct diagnosis and providing proper management of MF.

Natural Thermal Spa Water Versus Hyperthermic Tap Water for Treatment of Recalcitrant Hand Warts in Organ Transplant Recipients: A Patient-Blinded, Comparative Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVES: Cutaneous warts represent a major problem in organ transplant recipients because of their extensive involvement and persistent course. Current therapeutic modalities often fail to achieve a successful response in patients with warts. We experienced a case involving an organ transplant recipient with recalcitrant mosaic warts who presented with complete clearance of lesions in 3 days after thermal spa bathing. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of natural thermal water versus hyperthermic tap water for treatment of recalcitrant hand warts in organ transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this preliminary study, the right hands of 5 organ transplant recipients with hand warts were immersed in thermal water, while the left hands were soaked in tap water at 44°C to 47°C. Treatment involved three 45-minute sessions per week for 1 month. The total number and size of the warts and the hyperkeratosis severity grade were noted. RESULTS: After 12 sessions, none of the patients exhibited any marked improvement in the size or number of warts, although 3 patients had a slight decrease in their hyperkeratosis severity grade. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data indicate that neither thermal spa water nor hyperthermic tap water is effective for treatment of recalcitrant hand warts in organ transplant recipients. However, new trials using thermal water supplied from different geographical locations should be performed before this observation can be generalized.

Skin Cancer Risk Awareness and Sun-Protective Behavior Among Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Solid-organ transplant recipients are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer; this risk is due to long-term graft-preserving immunosuppressive therapy, and excessive sun exposure is a major contributing factor to this process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the skin cancer awareness and sun-protective behavior of solid-organ transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 70 consecutive solid-organ transplant recipients were evaluated regarding knowledge of their increased skin cancer risk and regarding the influence of this knowledge on their sun-protective practices, by applying a questionnaire during their routine check-up visits. RESULTS: Of 70 solid-organ transplant recipients, 38 (54.3%) stated knowledge of hazardous consequences of sun exposure; however, only 28 (40%) had the knowledge of causal relationship between sun and skin cancer development. There were 31 patients (44.3%) who were unable to recall anybody giving any information to them about sun protection, and 40 patients (57.1%) had never visited a dermatology clinic. The 10 solid-organ transplant recipients (14.3%) who used sunscreen creams daily had been undergoing regular dermatologic examination. Regarding sun-protective clothing, only 8 patients (11.4%) had been wearing a suitable hat, long sleeves, and sunglasses when outdoors. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups who had visited a dermatology clinic versus those who had not regarding knowledge of sun protection, the causal relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer, the use of sunscreens, and use of sun-protective clothing (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that dermatologic examination and education of patients about skin cancer development and sunscreen measures improved the sun-protective habits of solid-organ transplant recipients. Therefore, orderly visits once or twice a year should be strongly advised for this patient population by their medical care providers.

Is it a sarcoidal foreign-body granuloma or a cutaneous sarcoidosis on a permanent eyebrow make-up?

Permanent make-up is a kind of cosmetic tattoo in which the colorants (pigments) are deposited in dermis after piercing the skin by tiny solid needles. It may cause some adverse effects such as local inflammation, infection, and allergic reactions on the skin and even systemic adverse effects such as sarcoidal reactions. Here the case of a 34-year-old woman who has some yellowish hard shiny papules on her eyebrows after having a permanent make-up is described. The histopathological examinations of the papules are diagnosed as sarcoidal foreign-body reactions. All the laboratory investigations were in normal limits except a mild elevation in angiotensin converting enzyme or ACE level. The lesions mostly improved after topical corticosteroid treatment. Sarcoidal foreign-body reaction due to permanent make-up is discussed with this presentation.

Compliance with tap water iontophoresis in patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients tend to be noncompliant with tap water iontophoresis (TWI), which is an effective treatment option for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate compliance with TWI in patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis and identify the factors limiting its utility. METHODS: The medical data of 22 patients treated with TWI for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis were collected. A telephone inquiry questioning overall satisfaction with the treatment and the reasons for discontinuation was conducted. RESULTS: Sixteen patients completed the initial treatment period, and all responded well to the therapy. Eight patients started on the maintenance treatment, five of whom gave up before completing five sessions. The reasons for discontinuation were a lack of time in 12 patients, switching to home therapy in 3 patients, and side effects in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis are noncompliant with TWI, mainly due to a lack of time. They should be well informed before therapy and be encouraged to have a home device for maintenance.

Clinical evaluation of alopecias using a handheld dermatoscope.

BACKGROUND: There are numerous reports of the value of videodermatoscopy in the clinical evaluation of alopecia. Studies performed with a handheld dermatoscope are scarce and limited to a few disease entities. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit of a handheld dermatoscope in the clinical diagnosis of alopecia. METHODS: In all, 144 patients with alopecia and 144 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. Diagnoses were established clinically, and confirmed by scalp biopsy in doubtful cases. Dermatoscopic examination was performed by a polarized-light handheld dermatoscope with a 10-fold magnification. The images were obtained by a digital camera with a 3-fold optical zoom. RESULTS: The dermatoscopic patterns of circular hairs, dirty dots, epidermal scale, and pustules showed no statistically significant difference between patients and control subjects. The following features were significantly more common, or observed solely, in particular types of alopecia: hair diameter diversity, peripilar sign, and empty follicles in androgenetic alopecia; yellow dots, black dots, tapering hairs, and broken hairs in alopecia areata; absence of follicular openings, tufted hairs, white dots, follicular hyperkeratosis, pili torti, red dots, honeycomb pigment pattern, pink-white appearance, crusts, and pustules in primary cicatricial alopecias. LIMITATIONS: Evaluation of all primary cicatricial alopecias in the same cluster. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that a polarized-light handheld dermatoscope attached to a digital camera provides a practical and useful aid for the clinical diagnosis of alopecias.