Exploring Small-Diameter Melanomas: A Retrospective Study on Clinical and Dermoscopic Features.

BACKGROUND: Early melanoma detection allows for timely intervention and treatment, significantly improving the chances of favorable outcomes for patients. Small-diameter melanoma (SDM) typically represents an initial growth phase of cutaneous melanoma. One of the challenges in detecting melanoma in their early stage lies in the fact that dermoscopy criteria have been primarily designed for fully developed lesions. Early-stage melanomas may be difficult to detect and possibly even be overlooked or misinterpreted during examinations. METHODS: The primary aim of this study was to identify valuable clinical and dermoscopic clues to enhance the detection of SDMs. To achieve this objective, we conducted a comprehensive retrospective analysis, including forty SDMs with a diameter of 5 mm or less. These cases were diagnosed over an 8-year period and were collected from five referral centers across Brazil. Seven experienced dermatologists independently assessed the dermoscopic features of each lesion. Additionally, this study includes demographic and histological information. RESULTS: The study encompassed a total of 28 patients, of which 16 were females, accounting for 58% of the participants, with an average age of 43.6 years. Among the small-diameter melanomas (SDMs) under investigation, the majority, constituting 27 cases (69.2%), were identified as "de novo" lesions, i.e., not associated with a nevus. Additionally, eight SDMs (20%) exhibited invasive characteristics, with Breslow index measurements ranging between 0.2 to 0.4 mm, suggesting an early stage of malignancy. During dermoscopic examinations, the most prevalent features observed were irregular dots and globules, present in 95% and 87.5% of cases, respectively. Moreover, brown structureless areas were identified in 70% of lesions, followed by atypical network (67.5%), pseudopods (55%), dotted vessels (47.5%), flat structureless blue-gray areas (42.5%), and irregular blotches (40%). Notably, all SDM were diagnosed in patients under surveillance through total body skin photography (TBSP) and Digital Dermoscopy (DD). CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy significantly enhances the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma, even in its early stages. Particularly for high-risk patients with numerous nevi, the identification of a new lesion or subtle changes on dermoscopy during follow-up may serve as the sole clue for an early diagnosis. This emphasizes the critical role of dermoscopy in SDM detection and reinforces the importance of surveillance in high-risk patients for timely and effective management.

Urticária crônica espontânea nos adultos: diagnóstico e terapêutica no presente e futuro. Uma revisão narrativa / Chronic spontaneous urticaria in adults: diagnosis and therapy in the present and future. A narrative review

As urticárias são dermatoses frequentes, acometendo 15% a 20% da população, com pelo menos um episódio agudo da doença na vida. São classificadas em agudas (≤ 6 semanas) ou crônicas (> 6 semanas), de etiologia induzida ou espontânea. A urticária crônica espontânea tem prevalência estimada entre 1% e 2% da população mundial. Apresenta intenso comprometimento da qualidade de vida dos doentes, de forma que afeta várias esferas da vida como relacionamentos interpessoais, perdas laborais, interferência no estudo, perda de sono, entre outras, além de provocar transtornos psiquiátricos em 46% dos doentes pela imprevisibilidade das crises e peso monetário pela perda laboral e custo de tratamento contínuo. Atualmente os anti-histamínicos não sedantes (de segunda geração) constituem a pedra angular no tratamento da urticária crônica espontânea, em decorrência dos seus efeitos reduzidos sobre as atividades cognitivas e outras no sistema nervoso central e cardiovascular. A abordagem terapêutica se inicia com as doses licenciadas pelos fabricantes e é consenso internacional que os anti-histamínicos de segunda geração podem ser usados em doses duplicadas, triplicadas ou quadruplicadas, pois as doses padrão controlam apenas 39% dos doentes. Ainda assim, para grupo substancial dos doentes, torna-se necessária a segunda linha de tratamento, que é o omalizumabe, (um anticorpo monoclonal anti-imunoglobulina E [IgE] e anti-receptor de alta afinidade da IgE nos mastócitos e basófilos). Como terceira linha terapêutica, destaca-se a ciclosporina. Em raros casos refratários às medidas anteriores, há drogas com menor nível de evidência científica disponíveis, as quais são abordadas neste artigo de revisão.

Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of daylight photodynamic therapy in the treatment of field cancerization: a study of 30 cases.

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) are pre-malignant lesions, precursors of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Normal skin adjacent to AK, may present initial mutations with potential risk for new neoplasms, currently known today as field cancerization (FC). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of daylight photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methyl amino levulinate (MAL) based on clinical evaluation, histological examination and immunohistochemical expression of p53 and Ki67. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients, over 35 years old, phototypes between I and III, presenting non-hypertrophic AK on the face or scalp. Two biopsies with 2 mm punch of the lesion and adjacent skin before and 60 days after daylight PDT were performed. Results: Improvement was seen in lesion thickness and Ki67. 19 (63.33%) lesions had atypia improvement with a p-value <.05, showing efficacy in treatment. After daylight PDT, 22 (73.33%) patients showed satisfactory esthetic improvement. CONCLUSION: The study shows that PDT has cellular and molecular effects that support its indication in the control of carcinogenesis, as it decreases atypia and controls the expression of Ki67, reducing the proliferation of atypical cells. However, its indication following this study is still mainly aimed at clinical improvement of the skin, at this moment, probably due to the sample size.

Livedoid vasculopathy in 75 Brazilian patients in a single-center institution: Clinical, histopathological and therapy evaluation.

This study presents a single center experience with livedoid vasculopathy (LV). A rare disease that can lead to severe quality of life impairment. Characterize clinical data of LV patients at the Dermatology Division at the University of São Paulo. A retrospective and transversal study was conducted, from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2019. About 75 patients diagnosed as LV and confirmed by skin biopsy were included. Epidemiology, clinical appearance, histopathology data, and treatment history were observed. There were 78.66% Caucasian women, with a mean age of 39.9 years. Frequent cutaneous manifestations were ulcers, atrophic blanche-like scars, hyperpigmentation, purpuras, telangiectasias, and livedo racemosa. Pain, pruritus, and hypoesthesia were the main symptoms. After treatment, almost 40% of cases relapsed during spring and summer months. About 66% of cases had thrombophilia factors associated, such as high levels of lipoprotein(a). Frequent treatments included acetylsalicylic acid, pentoxifylline, and diosmin with hesperidin. Not being a prospective study. This research provides useful data on Latin American LV patients, indicating multifactorial conditions involved in LV pathogenesis. An extensive work-up including autoimmune laboratory tests, thrombophilia factors, and other conditions associated with venous stasis should be part of LV investigation and controlled to improve treatment response.

Potential interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with human cell receptors in the skin: Understanding the enigma for a lower frequency of skin lesions compared to other tissues.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a new public health problem, with a total of 10.577.263 documented COVID-19 cases worldwide and 513.441 deaths up to the present date. Few cases of disease-related cutaneous manifestations have been reported in the literature, and such manifestations are scarce. Integumentary manifestations from COVID-19 include exanthemas and papular dermatoses, urticarial eruptions, atopic dermatitis, vesiculobullous lesions and skin signs of hypercoagulable states, such as acral ischaemia, livedo and retiform purpura. Most common extracutaneous manifestations from the disease include headache, cough, anosmia, ageusia, fever, dyspnoea, nausea, diarrhoea and cardiovascular events. The objectives of this review were to discuss the role of human cell receptors described as interaction targets of SARS-CoV-2, as well to understand the current state of knowledge on skin expression of these receptors, in order to substantiate future research. The authors present a thorough literature review on SARS-CoV-2 and its possible interaction with cell receptors and human tissues including the skin. They discuss a molecular hypothesis to explain the lower prevalence of dermatological manifestations from direct SARS-CoV-2 infection. Distinct human cell receptors binding the virus appear to be less expressed in the skin compared to other organs. Additionally, the presence of resolvins and the disintegrin metalloprotease ADAM17 provide a putative protection to the skin, explaining the majority of COVID-19 manifestations to be extracutaneous. This review represents an excellent opportunity for future studies using skin biopsies from COVID-19 patients to investigate molecular expression in the pathophysiology of cutaneous manifestations of the disease.

Are the cutaneous manifestations during or due to SARS-CoV-2 infection/COVID-19 frequent or not? Revision of possible pathophysiologic mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: SARS-Cov-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus, a Betacoronavirus, composed of 16 non-structural proteins, with specific roles in replication of coronaviruses. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is not yet fully understood. The virus and host factors interplay among distinct outcomes of infected patients. METHODS: Using MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) in PubMed, authors searched for articles cotaining information on COVID-19 and the skin. RESULTS: The pathophysiology of the disease is multifactorial: association with innate immune response, hypercoagulability state, lung tissue damage, neurological and/or gastrointestinal tract involvement, monocytic/macrophage activation syndrome, culminating in exaggerated cytokine secretion, called "cytokine storm", which leads to worsening and death. These systemic conditions may be associated with cutaneous lesions, that have polymorphic aspects, where at histopathological level show involvement in different skin changes. These lesions may be associated with multisystemic manifestations that could occur due to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and transmembrane serine protease action, allowing the pulmonary infection and possibly skin manifestation. Several reports in literature show cutaneous lesions similar to chilblain, urticarial eruptions, diffuse or disseminated erythema, livedo racemosa, blue toe syndrome, retiform purpura, vesicle trunk, purpuric exanthema or exanthema with clinical aspects of symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) and others. CONCLUSIONS: This review describes the complexity of Covid-19, pathophysiological and clinical aspects, dermatological finding and other dermatological conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19.

Cutaneous side effects of molecularly targeted therapies for the treatment of solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Currently, molecularly targeted drugs are part of the therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of many neoplasms and are responsible for improvements in the quality of life and survival of patients. Although they act on proteins and components within biochemical pathways that are expressed to a greater extent in neoplastic cells, these drugs can also interfere with the activity of normal cells. SCOPE: This article reviews the cutaneous side effects of main molecularly targeted cancer therapies for solid tumors. FINDINGS: The use of these drugs causes side effects, and the skin is one of the most commonly affected organs. In this literature review, we discuss the adverse cutaneous effects caused by molecularly targeted drugs. CONCLUSION: The identification of these reactions is important to both dermatologists and oncologists so that they properly diagnose the reaction and administer adequate treatment, which would allow greater adherence to the oncological treatment and improve patients' quality of life.

Durability of Three Different Types of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Skin: Are There Differences Among Biphasic, Monophasic Monodensified, and Monophasic Polydensified Products?

Background: Hyaluronic acid fillers are used for facial rejuvenation and are classified as non-cross-linked or cross-linked (monophasic mono- or polydensified). Objectives: To histologically assess the intradermal durability of three types of fillers (biphasic, monophasic monodensified, and monophasic polydensified), to compare the durability of the products over 6 months, and to evaluate the structural changes after application. Methods: In all, 25 volunteers received injections of three different fillers in the dermis of the right lumbar region (in one line), and equal amounts of the fillers were injected into three different sites (in the same column), yielding nine points of application in each patient. Each line was biopsied on days 2, 92, and 184; these skin samples were analyzed histologically, and the presence or absence of these fillers was verified by a dermatopathologist. Results: The histological analysis showed that over 182 days, the amount of the injected monophasic polydensified, monophasic monodensified, and biphasic filler products decreased by 62.5%, 25%, and 12.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The biphasic and monophasic monodensified fillers presented greater intradermal durability than did the monophasic polydensified filler at 6 months after intradermal injection.

From one side to the other: what is essential? Perception of oncology patients and their caregivers in the beginning of oncology treatment and in palliative care / De um lado ao outro: o que é essencial? Percepção dos pacientes oncológicos e de seus cuidadores ao iniciar o tratamento oncológico e em cuidados paliativos

Objective To evaluate the perception of oncology patients and their caregivers upon diagnosis and beginning of the therapy and during palliative care. Methods A cross-sectional study at the oncology and palliative care outpatients clinics of the Faculdade de Medicina do ABC. Clinical and demographic data from patients and their caregivers were collected and questionnaires regarding the elements considered important in relation to the treatment were applied. Results We enrolled 32 patients and 23 caregivers that were initiating treatment at the oncology outpatient clinic, as well as 20 patients and 20 caregivers at the palliative care clinic. Regarding the patients treated at the oncology clinic, the issues considered most important were a physician available to discuss the disease and answer questions (84%), trust in the physician (81%), and a physician with accessible language (81%). For their caregivers, the following issues were considered extremely important: trust in the medical team that treats the patients (96%), and the same medical team taking care of their relatives (87%). As to patients treated at the palliative care clinic, trust in the physician (83%), to be with people considered important to them (78%), and to be treated preserving their dignity (72%) were considered extremely important. For their caregivers, to receive adequate information about the disease and the treatment’s risks and benefits (84%), and sincere communication of information about the disease (79%) were considered extremely relevant. Conclusion Confidence through good communication and consistency in care were fundamental values to achieve satisfaction among caregivers and patients with cancer during all the course of disease development. .

Objetivo Avaliar a percepção dos pacientes oncológicos e de seus cuidadores no início da abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica, e durante os cuidados paliativos. Métodos Estudo transversal, realizado nos ambulatórios de oncologia e cuidados paliativos vinculados a Faculdade de Medicina do ABC. Foram coletados dados clínicos e demográficos de pacientes e de seus cuidadores, e aplicados questionários referentes aos elementos a serem elencados como importantes em relação ao tratamento. Resultados Foram incluídos 32 pacientes e 23 cuidadores que iniciavam o tratamento nos ambulatórios de oncologia, bem como 20 pacientes e 20 cuidadores nos ambulatórios de cuidados paliativos. Em relação aos pacientes do ambulatório de oncologia, os itens considerados mais importantes foram: médico disponível para discutir a doença e responder dúvidas (84%), confiança nos médicos (81%) e médico com linguagem acessível (81%). Para seus cuidadores, os seguintes aspectos foram considerados extremamente importantes: confiança nos médicos que cuidam do paciente (96%) e mesma equipe médica cuidando do seu familiar (87%). Para pacientes do ambulatório de cuidados paliativos, foram considerados extremamente importantes: confiança nos médicos (83%), estar com pessoas consideradas importantes (78%) e ser tratado de modo que preservasse sua dignidade (72%). Para seus cuidadores, foram considerados extremamente importantes: receber informação adequada sobre a doença e os riscos e benefícios do tratamento (84%), e sinceridade na comunicação das informações a respeito da doença (79%). ...

Quality of life of in patients submitted to anterior abdominal wall laparoscopic hernioplasty.

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic ventral hernia repair technique made possible surgeries with smaller skin incisions and smaller dissection of the soft tissue around the hernia, therefore with a better wound, a quicker postoperative recovery and a lower complication rate. AIM: To evaluate the applicability of a quality of life survey based on the molds of the American Hernia Society, European Hernia Society and Carolinas Equation for Quality of Life, through telephone in patients submitted to laparoscopic hernioplasty by IPOM technique. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was made to evaluate the quality of life of 21 patients that underwent anterior abdominal wall laparoscopic hernioplasty by intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique. Questionnaire was applied through telephone. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients, 19% felt that the hernia recurred. Also 19% passed through another abdominal wall surgery, and among these, 75% was related to the previously hernia correction. Finally, 81% of patients did not undergo any other abdominal wall surgery. CONCLUSION: It was possible to apply the quality of life questionnary by telephone on patients who underwent an anterior abdominal wall. The results, in its turn, were satisfactory and showed that patients, in general, were satisfied with the surgical procedure.

Quality of life of in patients submitted to anterior abdominal wall laparoscopic hernioplasty / Qualidade de vida de pacientes submetidos a hernioplastias laparoscopicas da parede abdominal anterior

Background - The laparoscopic ventral hernia repair technique made possible surgeries with smaller skin incisions and smaller dissection of the soft tissue around the hernia, therefore with a better wound, a quicker postoperative recovery and a lower complication rate. Aim - To evaluate the applicability of a quality of life survey based on the molds of the American Hernia Society, European Hernia Society and Carolinas Equation for Quality of Life, through telephone in patients submitted to laparoscopic hernioplasty by IPOM technique. Methods - A retrospective cohort study was made to evaluate the quality of life of 21 patients that underwent anterior abdominal wall laparoscopic hernioplasty by intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique. Questionnaire was applied through telephone. Results - Of the 21 patients, 19% felt that the hernia recurred. Also 19% passed through another abdominal wall surgery, and among these, 75% was related to the previously hernia correction. Finally, 81% of patients did not undergo any other abdominal wall surgery. Conclusion - It was possible to apply the quality of life questionnary by telephone on patients who underwent an anterior abdominal wall. The results, in its turn, were satisfactory and showed that patients, in general, were satisfied with the surgical procedure. .

Racional : A técnica de reparo de hérnia ventral via laparoscópica possibilitou operações com menor incisão na pele e menor dissecção dos tecidos moles ao redor da hérnia, portanto, melhor ferida operatória, rápido pós-operatório do paciente, retorno breve às atividades e menor taxa de complicações. Objetivo : Avaliar a aplicabilidade de um questionário de qualidade de vida baseado nos moldes da American Hernia Society, European Hernia Society e Carolinas Equation for Quality of Life em pacientes submetidos à hernioplastias laparoscópicas da parede abdominal anterior (incisional/epigástrica/ umbilical). Método : Em estudo retrospectivo de coorte envolvendo total de 21 pacientes no pós-operatório de 12 meses de hernioplastia laparoscópica da parede abdominal anterior pela técnica de "intraperitoneal onlay mesh" foram submetidos, por via telefônica, ao questionário da qualidade de vida. Resultados - Dos 21 pacientes, 19% sentiram retorno da hérnia e 81% relataram que nada aconteceu. Além disso 19% passaram por outra operação abdominal, sendo que dentre esses, 75% estava relacionada à hérnia previamente corrigida e 81% não passaram por nenhuma outra operação abdominal. Conclusão - Foi possível aplicar o questionário de qualidade de vida por via telefônica; a qualidade referida foi satisfatória e mostrou que os pacientes, de modo geral, ficaram satisfeitos com o procedimento cirúrgico. .

From one side to the other: what is essential? Perception of oncology patients and their caregivers in the beginning of oncology treatment and in palliative care.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of oncology patients and their caregivers upon diagnosis and beginning of the therapy and during palliative care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study at the oncology and palliative care outpatients clinics of the Faculdade de Medicina do ABC. Clinical and demographic data from patients and their caregivers were collected and questionnaires regarding the elements considered important in relation to the treatment were applied. RESULTS: We enrolled 32 patients and 23 caregivers that were initiating treatment at the oncology outpatient clinic, as well as 20 patients and 20 caregivers at the palliative care clinic. Regarding the patients treated at the oncology clinic, the issues considered most important were a physician available to discuss the disease and answer questions (84%), trust in the physician (81%), and a physician with accessible language (81%). For their caregivers, the following issues were considered extremely important: trust in the medical team that treats the patients (96%), and the same medical team taking care of their relatives (87%). As to patients treated at the palliative care clinic, trust in the physician (83%), to be with people considered important to them (78%), and to be treated preserving their dignity (72%) were considered extremely important. For their caregivers, to receive adequate information about the disease and the treatment's risks and benefits (84%), and sincere communication of information about the disease (79%) were considered extremely relevant. CONCLUSION: Confidence through good communication and consistency in care were fundamental values to achieve satisfaction among caregivers and patients with cancer during all the course of disease development.

Reação reversa macular da hanseníase: relato de caso / Macular reversal reaction in leprosy: a case report

A reação reversa maculosa consiste no aparecimento abrupto de máculas hipocrômicas, ocorrendo em pacientes hansenianos dimorfos que completaram o tratamento com poliquimioterapia para hanseníase multibacilar. Em geral, surgem entre 6 a 12 meses da alta, com baciloscopia negativa e boa resposta a corticoterapia sistêmica. Ressaltamos a dificuldade em diferenciar recidiva de um episódio reacional, já que não existem critérios clínicos bem estabelecidos que possibilitem este diagnóstico, além de existirem poucos relatos em literatura. Relatamos um caso clínico com diagnóstico de reação reversa macular após período variável de alta do tratamento de hanseniase dimorfa-dimorfa. Foi feita investigação por meio de anamnese rigorosa, exame dermatológico, exame histopatológico da lesão e baciloscopia, excluindo-se os critérios de recidiva, além de analisados dados anteriores do prontuário.O paciente foi submetido a corticoterapia sistêmica,apresentando melhora das lesões. Conclui-seque a reação reversa maculosa deve ser lembrada nos diagnósticos diferenciais com hanseníase recidivada e episódios reacionais clássicos, evitando retratamentos desnecessários.

Macular reversal reaction is the abrupt onset of hypochromic lesions, occurring in borderline leprosy patients who completed treatment with multidrugtherapy for multibacillary leprosy. In general, these reactions appear 6 to 12 months after medical discharge, showing negative skin smear and good response to systemic corticosteroid therapy. We emphasize the difficulty in differentiating relapse cases from leprosy reactions, as there are no well-established clinical criteria that allow this diagnosis, and moreover there are few reports about it in the literature. We report a borderline leprosy case diagnosed with macular reversal reaction after variable period of discharge from treatment. Detailed anamnesis, dermatological and histopathological examination and bacilloscopy, analysis of previous medical records, excluding the relapse criteria, were used for the investigation. The patient was submitted to systemic corticosteroid therapy, with improvement of the lesions. It is concluded that macular reversal reaction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of relapsed leprosy and classic reactional episodes, avoiding unnecessary retreatment.

Tratamento de hérnias da linha média do abdome com uso de grampeador endoscópico para fechamento da linha média / Treatment of mid-line abdominal wall hernias with the use of endo-stapler for mid-line closure

INTRODUÇÃO: A cirurgia minimamente invasiva modificou a maneira de analisar e dissecar os tecidos nos procedimentos cirúrgicos. No entanto, a vantagem deste método é limitada na parede abdominal, devido à falta de desenvolvimento de tecnologias e movimentos articulados para seu emprego nesta região, exigindo a necessidade de investimentos e de tempo para a solidificação. Esta abordagem para reparo operatório da parede abdominal é baseada nos princípios Rives-Stoppa. TÉCNICA: Com o paciente em decúbito dorsal, uma pequena incisão supra-púbica é feita e o espaço pré-peritoneal é alcançado e insuflado. Após os trocárteres serem colocados, o saco peritoneal é dissecado e a cavidade abdominal é atingida acima da linha arqueada. As bainhas posteriores do músculo reto do abdome são liberadas e um grampeador linear é colocado em ambos os lados e acionado, restituindo a linha média e criando um espaço retromuscular, onde a tela é colocada e fixada. CONCLUSÃO: O método é viável, fácil de realizar e reprodutível, economizando tempo e com resultado funcional satisfatório.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive videosurgery has modified anatomy dissection of diseases that are treated operatively. However, the benefit of this method has been delayed due to the lack of development of technologies and articulated movements for the abdominal wall, demanding the need for investments and time for solidification. This approach to repair the abdominal wall is based on the Rives-Stoppa principles. TECHNIQUE: With the patient in supine position, a small supra pubic incision is done and the pre-peritoneal space is achieved and inflated. After the trocars are placed, the peritoneal sac is dissected and the abdominal cavity is entered, above the arcuate line. The posterior rectus sheath is liberated and a linear stapler is placed in both sides and fired, creating a midline and a retromuscular space, where the mesh is placed and fixed. CONCLUSION: The method is feasible, easy to perform, reproducible, saves time and with a good functional result.