Treatment of facial photodamage and rhytides using a novel 1,565 nm non-ablative fractional erbium-doped fiber laser.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Non-ablative fractional lasers (NAFL) generate microscopic non-contiguous columns of thermal injury in the dermis, resulting in collagen remodeling. This manuscript details our experience with a novel 1,565 nm scanned, erbium-doped fiber NAFL for the treatment of facial photodamage. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, open-label clinical trial was conducted at two clinical sites in the United States on 16 female subjects with a mean age of 49.6 years, Fitzpatrick skin types II to IV, and a baseline Fitzpatrick-Goldman Wrinkle and Elastosis Score (FGWES) of 3-6. Each subject received three treatments at 4-5 week intervals with follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months after the last treatment. RESULTS: The mean FGWES demonstrated a statistically significant decrease from baseline both at 3 months (-0.58 ± 0.23, P = 0.02) and 6 months (-0.66 ± 0.22, P = 0.008) after the last treatment. Fifty percent (95%CI [24.21%, 68.49%]) of subjects showed a significant (at least 1 grade) improvement in FGWES from baseline at 3-month follow-up. At least 72% of subjects perceived the results as "moderate" to "very good" at 3 months post-treatment, with comparable satisfaction rates. Treatments were not associated with a high level of pain or discomfort and typical downtime was less than 2 days. No unexpected adverse events or serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The 1,565 nm erbium-doped scanned NAFL is an effective treatment for facial wrinkles with a favorable recovery and side effect profile.

Combined blue nevus-smooth muscle hamartoma: a series of 12 cases.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common types of combined melanocytic nevus is that of a blue nevus with ordinary melanocytic nevus. Blue nevi have also been described in association with non-melanocytic cell types, such as those of neural or mesenchymal derivation. Although there are rare descriptions in the literature of blue nevi with myomatous structures, the specific association of combined blue nevi with smooth muscle hyperplasia has not been reported METHODS: We review the clinicopathological features of 12 cases of combined blue nevi with smooth muscle hyperplasia. RESULTS: The majority of these lesions occurred on the back of middle-aged patients and were clinically interpreted as melanocytic nevi or melanoma. Histopathologic examination revealed a combined population of 'common' and blue nevus melanocytes with accompanying smooth muscle hyperplasia. In addition to a lentiginous proliferation of melanocytes at the dermal-epidermal junction with variable basilar hyperpigmentation, there were varying degrees of epidermal acanthosis and follicular induction (three cases). CONCLUSION: We present an unusual hamartoma with features of combined blue nevus and smooth muscle hyperplasia, which has not been previously described.

Telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans.

We present a 31-year-old woman with a ten-year history of a progressive macular eruption; one of her macules demonstrated a wheal when rubbed. A biopsy was consistent with telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans. There were no signs and symptoms of systemic involvement despite the large body surface area of involvement.

Glomuvenous Malformations (Familial generalized multiple glomangiomas).

A 15-year-old boy with a diagnosis of generalized multiple glomangiomas was referred for evaluation and treatment of enlarging and increasingly painful lesions on his right ankle. The patient underwent a series of two treatments with long-pulsed KTP 1064 nm laser that resulted in substantial improvement in appearance and decreased pain. Generalized glomuvenous malformations, or multiple glomangiomas, are the less common presentation of proliferation of glomus cells and may have extracutaneous involvement. Whereas surgical management is often employed and definitive for solitary lesions, interventions such as laser therapy, may be beneficial for improvement of functional impairment and cosmesis as was observed in our patient.

Morphea with discoid lupus erythematosus.

The presence of lupus erythematosus with morphea in the same patient has rarely been reported. In this case, we describe a woman with the overlap of discoid lupus erythematosus with superficial morphea, diagnoses that are supported by histopathologic features and laboratory studies.

Acanthosis nigricans in the setting of niacin therapy.

We report the case of a 63-year-old obese man with a rapid-onset of widespread acanthosis nigricans (AN) in the setting of having recently initiated treatment with niacin for dyslipidemia. Although obesity and insulin-resistance are risk factors for AN, AN associated with endocrine dysfunction tends to have a more gradual onset and limited involvement. Owing to our patient's age, the rapid onset, and extensive distribution of his eruption, we initially were concerned about paraneoplastic AN. However, an evaluation for a malignant condition was negative. The timing of the onset of our patient's eruption within several months of starting niacin therapy is consistent with niacin-induced AN. Niacin is known to cause rapidly progressive, widespread AN that is reversible upon discontinuation of the medication. We discuss the pathogenesis of AN, which is thought to be the final common manifestation of stimulation of different subtypes of tyrosine kinase receptors by various epidermal growth factors.

Papillary dermal elastosis.

There are numerous acquired disorders of elastic tissue that are distinguished by a combination of clinical appearance, location, gender, age of onset, and characteristic histopathologic findings. We present a case of a 36-year-old man with multiple confluent, hypopigmented papules that coalesced into plaques with prominent follicular ostia over the dorsal aspects of the forearms, shoulders, upper chest, and upper back. Histologically there was selective loss of papillary dermal elastic fibers. The clinical and histopathologic findings in this case are consistent with an acquired disorder of elastic tissue which we believe represents the second reported case of papillary dermal elastosis.

Photolichenoid plaques with associated vitiliginous pigmentary changes.

A 49-year-old man with advanced HIV/AIDS on anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) presented with a several-month history of pruritic, erythematous, lichenified papules that coalesced into hyperkeratotic plaques on the trunk and extremities in a sun-exposed distribution. He shortly thereafter developed a progressive depigmentation over more than 80 percent of his body surface area. A biopsy specimen of an erythematous plaque on the trunk showed a superficial and mid-dermal infiltrate of lymphocytes with eosinophils, most consistent with either chronic lichenoid drug eruption or atypical lymphoproliferative disorder (ACLD) of HIV. The patient's lichenoid skin disease has persisted despite discontinuation of TMP-SMX, although it has improved partially with administration of topical glucocorticoids and acitretin. His depigmentation has continued to progress. We discuss the overlapping diagnostic entities which may be comprised by this patient's clinical disease, and highlight a unique presentation of the complex interaction between HIV infection and the skin.

Multiple human papillomavirus-16 associated digital squamous-cell carcinomas in an immunocompetent woman with prior human papillomavirus-related genital carcinoma.

High-risk subtype human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is known to contribute to the oncogenesis of anogenital squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC), is detected in the majority of digital SCCs. Evidence suggests a genital-digital route of transmission of high-risk HPV, and most HPV-related digital SCCs occur near the nail unit in immunocompetent adults. As early HPV-related SCC commonly appears as a verrucous periungual papule, a biopsy should be considered if such a lesion persists or occurs in an individual who is likely to inoculate their digits with high-risk HPV from digital-genital contact with themselves or sexual partners. We present a 60-year-old woman, who has a personal history of vulvar and cervical SCC and an appreciable disease burden from SCCs that involved five digits of her hands.

Deep dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum.

A 50-year-old man with hepatitis C virus infection and liver cirrhosis, who was awaiting transplantation, was admitted to the Transplant Surgery Service for treatment of a pleural effusion and an elevated ammonia level. Skin examination showed violaceous, firm nodules on the right thigh, which had been present for eight months. A fungal culture showed Trichophyton rubrum. The patient was started on itraconazole with improvement in the eruption.

Squamous-cell carcinoma in situ in a patient with oculocutaneous albinism.

A 36-year-old African man from Guinea with a history of albinism presented with a many-year history of scaling and erythema of the face, neck, and arms. The patient had light eyes, hair, and skin. Physical examination showed extensive photodamage. A skin biopsy specimen from the posterior aspect of the lower leg showed a squamous-cell carcinoma in situ. The most common types of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), OCA 1 and OCA 2, are autosomal recessive disorders of pigmentation that commonly affect the skin, hair, eyes, and ears. Photodamage and skin cancers plague patients with albinism. In Africa, where albinism is prevalent, albinos face a myriad of social and medical issues. Skin cancer surveillance is an important consideration for albinos, and sun protection is paramount.

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.

Gorlin syndrome is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder that results in numerous basal cell carcinomas as well as a number of other facial and skeletal findings. We present a patient with many classic features and review some of the treatment options available for these patients.

Lupus erythematosus tumidus with discoid lupus erythematosus-induced alopecia of the scalp.

Lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET) is an uncommon variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Lupus erythematodes tumidus is characterized by smooth, erythematous plaques on sun-exposed areas without surface changes, such as follicular plugs, atrophy, or scale. Histopathologic features include a lymphocytic, perivascular and periadnexal infiltrate with abundant interstitial, superficial, and deep dermal mucin without appreciable epidermal and vacuolar changes. Typically, LET is responsive to treatment with systemic antimalarials. We present a unique case of alopecia associated with LET, which was partially responsive to hydroxychloroquine. We also note that the plaque of LET is adjacent to the plaque of discoid lupus erythematosus.

From conventional to cutting edge: the new era of biologics in treatment of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic T-cell-mediated inflammatory disease of the skin and joints that affects 1-3% of the world population. Conventional treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis are associated with broadband immunosuppression and/or organ toxicities that can be problematic when used long term. Advances in the understanding of psoriasis pathogenesis have led to targeted therapy in the form of biologics. These agents have gained popularity as safe, effective, and convenient alternatives for the treatment of chronic, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. This review will focus on the five main biologics used in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: efalizumab, alefacept, etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab. Mechanisms of action, guidelines for usage, efficacy data, and safety concerns will be discussed for each biologic. In addition, the new Th17 biologics and their role in psoriasis pathogenesis will also be examined.