Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid margin: Dermoscopic clues in a case series.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can sometimes affect the eyelids and in particular the eyelid margin, where it can often be misdiagnosed, mimicking other benign, more common diseases. Dermoscopy may provide additional diagnostic criteria for an earlier diagnosis of eyelid margin BCC, although the dermoscopic features of BCC affecting this anatomical site have seldom been reported. We highlight the peculiar presence of linear vessels perpendicular to the eyelid margin in BCCs of the eyelid margin. Our article represents the first report of these dermoscopic findings in a series of BCCs of the eyelid margin.

Photodynamic therapy following fractional CO2 laser for treatment of primary vulvar Paget's disease: does it really work?

INTRODUCTION: Extra-mammary Paget's disease is a rare form of intraepithelial adenocarcinoma with a variable pattern of invasion. Vulvar Paget's disease represents 1% of all vulvar cancers. Standard treatment is surgical excision, however, the recurrence rate is high and surgery leads to anatomical, functional and sexual morbidity. Some studies suggest the efficacy of photodynamic therapy following CO2 Laser irradiation as treatment for this disease. METHODS: In the present study, ten patients with vulvar Paget's disease underwent fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser abrasion, followed by 3 h of occlusive application of aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) and then 100 J/cm2 irradiation with a 630-nm lamp. This combination treatment regime was repeated every 2 weeks for a total of 5 times. RESULTS: At the end of the 12-month follow-up period, only two patients maintained a complete remission of the disease and recurrence was observed in all patients who had originally shown a partial remission. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, Photodynamic Therapy-ALA following fractional CO2 Laser does not seem to be an effective treatment for vulvar EMPD in the long term.

The variegated histopathological features of atypical lentiginous melanocytic nevi: a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Atypical lentiginous melanocytic nevi (ALMNs) are atypical pigmented lesions with histopathological features similar to those of dysplastic nevi, with a lentiginous pattern. Variable histopathological features of ALMNs were observed in our practice. METHODS: We described the histopathological features of ALMNs diagnosed in the period 2009-2015. Our cases were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: ALMNs showing the same histopathological features as previously described in the literature; Group 2: ALMNs with different features. RESULTS: Twenty-nine ALMNs were diagnosed; 2 groups of ALMNs were identified. Group 1 ALMNs showed a constant, mild epidermal acanthosis; frequently, an inflammatory infiltrate and dermal fibrosis, cytological atypia and mild architectural atypia. Group 2 ALMNs showed a constant psoriasis-like acanthosis with a hypercellularity of the rete ridges; cytological atypia was rare, whereas architectural atypia was constantly observed. Immunohistochemistry (MART-1 staining) revealed that the melanocytes were localized at the dermo-epidermal junction in both groups. ALMNs showed a broad spectrum of histopathological features. CONCLUSIONS: Our main finding was a constant architectural atypia in all lesions of Group 2. The identification of a unique type of ALMN seems no longer possible. The correct recognition of such benign, though atypical, melanocytic lesions is important in order to avoid an overdiagnosis of cutaneous melanoma and to prevent their potential evolution to the latter.

Combined CO2 laser and photodynamic therapy enhances the efficacy of treatment of basal cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In selected cases, conventional photodynamic therapy (C-PDT) is a valid alternative to surgery for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, it is limited to superficial BCCs. Pretreatment of BCCs with ablative lasers may enhance its efficacy. We evaluated the C-PDT and CO2 laser combination therapy for the treatment of superficial and nodular BCCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, interventional, monocentric study, patients affected by BCC were treated with CO2 laser therapy, using a continuous superpulsed CO2 laser for nodular BCCs and a fractional CO2 laser for superficial BCCs. All patients were subsequently treated with photodynamic therapy using methyl aminolevulinate cream and an Aktilite CL128® (Galderma) lamp. RESULTS: 32 patients (20 males, 12 females) aged from 45 to 96 years (with a total of 181 BCCs) were treated using a CO2 laser combined with C-PDT. A 100 % cure rate was achieved at three months, with no signs of relapse in 97.2 % of the cases during the mean follow-up period (10.7 months, range 4 to 18 months). We observed mild adverse reactions and good aesthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend this combination therapy in selected cases, based on its high efficacy, good aesthetic results and few side effects.

Dermoscopic-Histopathological Correlation of Eccrine Poroma: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Eccrine poroma (EP) is a benign adnexal neoplasm that can be pigmented in 17% of cases. Four histopathological variants of EP exist. Dermoscopically, EP can mimic many other skin neoplasms. OBJECTIVES: To provide a dermoscopic-histopathological correlation of EP, classifying the clinical and dermoscopic features of EPs on the basis of their histopathological subtype, in an attempt to better characterize these entities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was conducted. Clinical data were collected; patients were classified on the basis of the 4 histopathological variants of EPs. Dermoscopic images were reviewed. A dermoscopic-histopathological correlation was performed, and the results were compared with literature data. RESULTS: Twenty-six lesions were included, both pigmented and nonpigmented. Three of the 4 histopathological variants were identified. Different dermoscopic features were observed for each distinct histopathological subtype of EP. The lesions mimicked different types of other skin neoplasms, in particular: nonpigmented hidroacanthoma simplex resembled nonmelanoma skin cancer; pigmented hidroacanthoma simplex appeared like a seborrheic keratosis or a solar lentigo; EPs sensu stricto presented as pink nodules if nonpigmented and were similar to seborrheic keratosis if pigmented; dermal duct tumors appeared as pigmented nodular lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct dermoscopic features appeared to be recurrent in each histopathological variant. Dermoscopy can provide important clues for the diagnosis of EP; the final diagnosis is allowed by histopathology. To achieve a correct diagnosis of EP, because of its clinical and dermoscopic variability, surgical excision is recommended.