RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Skin modification through tattoos is as old as humanity itself. However, this trend is on the rise, and with the use of different types of pigments and application practices, both cutaneous and systemic complications can arise. Adverse reactions can be grouped into five classes: inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, aesthetic, and miscellaneous. On histopathology, inflammatory reactions can exhibit a lichenoid pattern or present as spongiotic dermatitis, granulomatous reactions, pseudolymphoma, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, or scleroderma/morphea-like changes. This article reviews tattoo complications, including their clinical and histopathological characteristics. METHODS: An open search was conducted on PubMed using the terms "tattoo", "complications", and "skin". No limits were set for period, language, or publication type of the articles. RESULTS: Reactions to tattoos are reported in up to 67% of people who get tattooed, with papulonodular and granulomatous reactions being the most common. Some neoplastic complications have been described, but their causality is still debated. Any pigment can cause adverse reactions, although red ink is more frequently associated with them. Patients with pre-existing dermatoses may experience exacerbation or complications of their diseases when getting tattoos; therefore, this procedure is not recommended for this patient group. CONCLUSIONS: Dermatological consultation is recommended before getting a tattoo, as well as a histopathological examination in case of complications. In patients who develop cutaneous inflammatory reactions following tattooing, additional studies are recommended to investigate systemic diseases such as sarcoidosis, pyoderma gangrenosum, atopic dermatitis, and neoplasms. It is important for physicians to be trained in providing appropriate care in case of complications.
RESUMEN
Un biobanco permite mantener en condiciones óptimas y de manera organizada las colecciones de muestras biológicas con los más altos estándares de calidad, éticos y legales, con fines de investigación biomédica que genere nuevo conocimiento, así como aplicaciones de docencia. Los avances en biomedicina y el desarrollo de tecnologías, han facilitado el acceso a la información y esto debe aplicarse en pro de un mejor aprovechamiento de las muestras biológicas, en la comprensión de las bases inmunopatogénicas de las enfermedades, que finalmente lleve a proponer estrategias de detección, prevención, promoción y tratamiento. El Laboratorio de Dermatopatología de la Sección de Dermatología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Antioquia, ha procesado más de 57.000 biopsias desde su fundación, conservando los archivos clínicos, registros fotográficos, placas y bloques histopatológicos, otorgándole un gran potencial como biobanco. Esta revisión narrativa de la literatura tiene como objetivo ilustrar una visión general de la importancia del desarrollo de los biobancos, así como los aspectos a tener en cuenta en su estructuración.
Summary A biobank allows the collections of biological samples to be maintained in optimal conditions and in an organized manner with the highest quality, ethical and legal standards, for biomedical research purposes that generate new knowledge, as well as teaching applications. Advances in biomedicine and the development of technologies have facilitated access to information and this should comply in favor of a better use of biological samples in the understanding of the immunopathogenic bases of diseases, which finally carry out a proposing strategies of detection, prevention, promotion and treatment. The Dermatopathology Laboratory of the Dermatology Section of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Antioquia has processed more than 57,000 biopsies since its foundation, preserving the clinical files, photographic records, plates and histopathological blocks, giving it great potential as a biobank. This narrative review of the literature aims to illustrate an overview of the importance of the development of biobanks, as well as the aspects to take into account in their structuring.
