Dermatofibrossarcoma protuberante diagnosticado erroneamente como queloide e tratado com acetonido de triancinolona / Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans misdiagnosed as keloid and treated with triamcinolone acetonide

INTRODUÇÃO: Dermatofibrossarcoma protuberante é um tumor de pele raro e de malignidade intermediária, com baixo potencial metastático, mas altas taxas de recorrência após tratamento cirúrgico. Por apresentar eventual semelhança clínica com cicatrizes hipertróficas e queloides, o diagnóstico correto mostra-se fundamental para o sucesso do tratamento. O objetivo do presente trabalho é fazer um alerta e relatar quatro casos de dermatofibrossarcoma protuberante erroneamente diagnosticados como queloide e tratados alhures com infiltração de acetonido de triancinolona. MÉTODO: Entre novembro de 1983 e janeiro de 2008, foram atendidos quatro pacientes com dermatofibrossarcoma protuberante que tinham sido submetidos alhures a infiltrações intralesionais de acetonido de triancinolona, em virtude de diagnóstico errôneo de queloide. Nos quatro casos, foram realizadas excisões cirúrgicas radicais, com remoção de 3 cm de tecido sadio nas margens laterais, incluindo-se, na margem profunda, uma estrutura anatômica não infiltrada pelo tumor. Os pacientes receberam avaliação médica periódica em longo prazo. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes foram acompanhados por uma média de 159 meses. Três pacientes (75%) permaneceram vivos, sem sinais de doença em atividade. Um paciente (25%) faleceu devido à doença, após tentativa de remover o avançado tumor recorrente, por meio de extensa cirurgia craniofacial. A recidiva ocorreu sete anos após a operação radical. CONCLUSÃO: Dermatofibrossarcoma protuberante deve ser considerado no diagnóstico diferencial dos queloides. A infiltração intralesional de acetonido de triancinolona só deverá ser realizada após diagnóstico de certeza, que pode demandar exame anatomopatológico prévio. Um exame clínico cuidadoso e o conhecimento da lesão favorecem um diagnóstico preciso e, portanto, um tratamento adequado.

INTRODUCTION: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare skin tumor with intermediate malignancy, low metastatic potential, and high recurrence rates after surgical treatment. Owing to a possible clinical resemblance with hypertrophic scars and keloids, the correct diagnosis is fundamental for treatment success. The objective of the present work is to report on four cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans misdiagnosed as keloid and treated elsewhere with infiltration of triamcinolone acetonide. METHOD: Between November 1983 and January 2008, four patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans who had undergone intralesional infiltration with triamcinolone acetonide elsewhere were treated because of an erroneous diagnosis of keloid. Radical surgical excision was performed, and 3 cm of healthy tissue was removed from the side margins, including the deep margin, an anatomical structure not infiltrated by the tumor. The patients underwent long-term periodic medical evaluations. RESULTS: The patients were followed-up for an average of 159 months. Three patients (75%) are still alive without signs of disease at the time of this report. One patient (25%) died of the disease after an attempt to remove the advanced recurrent tumor using extensive craniofacial surgery. Recurrence occurred 7 years after the radical operation. CONCLUSION: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans must be considered in the differential diagnosis of keloids. Intralesional infiltration with triamcinolone acetonide should only be performed after diagnostic confirmation , which may require pathological examination. A careful clinical examination and knowledge of the lesion favor a precise diagnosis and an appropriate treatment.

Consequences of Misnomer or Mistakes in Identification of Fungal Species.

The author, as a reviewer of many international journals, describes his long-standing experiences with incorrect identification of mushroom and fungal species and the resultant incorrect naming of those species that served as experimental models. From his own praxis, he selected several characteristic examples that sometimes ended in a curious situation. Some recommendations to authors of publications and persons responsible for the proper naming of mushrooms under study are summarized.

Effect of freezing and type of mucosa on ex vivo drug permeability parameters.

The porcine esophageal mucosa has been proposed as a substitute for the buccal mucosa barrier on ex vivo permeability studies mainly due to its large surface area as well as its easier preparation. Therefore, this study compared the ex vivo permeability parameters of two drugs (carmabazepine (CBZ) and triamcinolone acetonide (TAC)) with different permeabilities and physicochemical properties through buccal and esophageal mucosae using a Franz diffusion cell system and HPLC as detection method. The freezing effects on drug permeability parameters were also evaluated by comparing them when fresh and frozen tissues were used. The barrier properties were not affected by the freezing process since the obtained parameters for both drugs were similar in frozen and fresh tissues (buccal and esophageal mucosae). However, an increase of CBZ retention was shown in frozen tissues. Fresh and frozen esophageal mucosae provided higher permeation of TAC than on buccal mucosae while the obtained permeability parameters for CBZ were similar on both mucosae. According to our results, porcine esophageal mucosa could be used as a substitute for buccal mucosa on ex vivo studies involving CBZ but not TAC. Frozen tissues could be used as substitute for fresh tissues in both cases. However, any substitution should be done with care and only if previous tests were performed, because the results could differ depending on the tested drug.

[Triamcinolone Acetonide Reference Standard (Control 981) of National Institute of Health Sciences].

The raw material of triamcinolone acetonide was examined for preparation of the "Triamcinolone Acetonide Reference Standard (Control 981)". The analytical data obtained were: melting point, 289 degrees C (decomposition); UV spectrum, lambda max of 238 nm; IR spectrum, same as that of the Triamcinolone Acetonide Reference Standard (Control 834); optical rotation, [alpha]D20 = +106.8 degrees; thin-layer chromatography, no impurities detected; high-performance liquid chromatography, total amount of impurities less than 0.4%; loss on drying, 1.3%; assay by HPLC, 100.1%. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Triamcinolone Acetonide Reference Standard (Control 981) of the National Institute of Health Sciences.

Efficacy of once-a-day intranasal administration of triamcinolone acetonide in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

A 4-week, double-blind, parallel group study compared the safety and efficacy of once-a-day intranasal administration of triamcinolone acetonide (Nasacort) versus placebo in 304 patients (155 adult and 149 adolescent) with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Patients were randomized to receive triamcinolone acetonide (110, 220, or 440 microgram) or placebo once daily each morning. Daily rhinitis symptoms scores, weekly patient and physician global assessments, and weekly nasal eosinophil smears were obtained. In each triamcinolone acetonide group, significant (P less than .05) improvement over placebo was noted in the nasal index (sum of ratings for stuffiness, discharge, and sneezing) by week 1, the first point of analysis, and maintained throughout the study. Triamcinolone acetonide groups also demonstrated significant (P less than .05) improvement over placebo in all individual rhinitis symptoms evaluated. The greatest improvement in symptoms was observed at the 440 microgram dose. A significant decrease in eosinophil counts paralleled clinical improvement in all triamcinolone acetonide groups. Physicians and patients rated triamcinolone acetonide significantly (P less than .05) more effective than placebo. Responses of adult and adolescent patients were comparable. Adverse experiences, clinical laboratory values, and results of physical examinations were unremarkable and comparable between the triamcinolone acetonide and placebo groups. We conclude that triamcinolone acetonide is safe, well tolerated, and superior to placebo as a once-a-day treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Once daily triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray is effective for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study was conducted in 11 centers to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a once-a-day regimen of 110 micrograms, 220 micrograms; and 440 micrograms of triamcinolone acetonide intranasal aerosol versus placebo in relieving the symptoms of rhinitis in 305 adult and older pediatric patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Nasal stuffiness, nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal itching and the nasal index (the sum of the mean scores of the first three symptoms) averaged over the first 6 weeks and second 6 weeks of the study were significantly reduced in patients who received the 220 micrograms/day and the 440 micrograms/day dosages. The 110 micrograms/day group had a reduction in these nasal symptoms, but only the sneezing and nasal index were significantly (P less than .05) better than placebo. During the last 6 weeks of the study, patients were allowed to take oral back-up medication for their nasal symptoms; all three groups receiving triamcinolone nasal aerosol took less back-up medication than did the placebo group. There were no significant adverse effects or laboratory abnormalities noted during this study. Intranasal triamcinolone acetonide 220 micrograms and 440 micrograms, used once-a-day for 12 weeks is clinically and statistically superior to placebo for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.