Successful Response to a Combination of Intralesional Methotrexate and Fractional CO2 Laser in Refractory Alopecia Areata: Case Report.

Introduction: Refractory cases of alopecia areata (AA) may be considered a therapeutic challenge. Intralesional methotrexate (IL-MTX) has been used in other dermatological diseases rather than AA. Likewise, its topical use as an immunosuppressant drug may be of interest for the control of the lymphoid infiltrate in AA. On the other hand, the use of fractional ablative laser is supported in literature as an alternative or complementary treatment in AA, whilst the generation of columns of thermal damage may favour the migration of cells and cytokines that are beneficial. Case Presentation: In this paper, we present 2 cases in which IL-MTX and ablative fractional CO2 laser were combined with excellent outcomes. Conclusion: Previous research encompasses a total of 23 patients. Most patients presented with patchy AA. The doses administered ranged from 2.5 to 50 mg with an average frequency of 3 weeks. On average, most patients required a minimum of 3 sessions. One case employed 1% topical methotrexate ointment. Adverse local events were mild and transient. In conclusion, the concomitant application of these treatments has not been reported previously. Specific recommendations relating to the appropriate dosing of the drug, frequency of administration, and requirements for analytical control studies should be determined in further studies.

Apremilast and biologics: Characteristics of patients treated with apremilast before, during, or after a biological treatment.

Apremilast is an oral small molecule approved for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and oral ulcers associated with Behçet's disease. This research was conducted to describe the characteristics of patients who received treatment with apremilast for a skin disorder, either before, during, or after a biological treatment, with the aim of analyze the reasons that lead to start this drug in real clinical practice or suspend it for another. A total of 41 patients were enrolled: nine (22.0%) had received biological treatment prior to apremilast, seven (17.0%) both before and after apremilast and 25 (61.0%) after apremilast. One patient received concomitant treatment with adalimumab and apremilast. Most patients (85.4%) received apremilast as treatment for psoriasis. Reasons for starting apremilast were lack of efficacy with previous treatments (85.4%) and adverse effects or contraindication to previous treatments (14.6%), without statistically significant differences between patients who had received a previous biologic and those who had not. Drug survival was not influenced by previous biological treatment, but we found an increased risk of drug discontinuation in patients with chronic kidney disease (log-rank p = 0.028). The main reason of apremilast withdrawal was lack of adequate disease control (60.0%), most of whom required treatment with biologics. Therefore, despite the extensive development of new therapies for psoriasis and other dermatological conditions, apremilast is a widely used drug even in patients who are candidates for biologic treatment. Its initiation is more frequent due to poor disease control than because of other therapies contraindications.

Pemphigus Vulgaris Localized to the Scalp with Complete Response to Topical Steroids.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an anti-cadherin autoimmune disease, characterized by the production of anti-desmoglein 3 (and to a lesser extent anti-desmoglein 1) antibodies, producing acanthosis, typically suprabasal, which clinically translates into flaccid blisters and erosions, generally starting on mucous membranes, with subsequent appearance of skin lesions. Only about 25 cases of PV of exclusively cutaneous location have been described in the literature. Treatment with potent topical steroids is usually sufficient to control the symptoms. We present the case of a 68-year-old female patient with localized PV in the scalp, presenting as alopecic and scabby plaque, with excellent response and hair regrowth with topical corticotherapy.

Atypical Congenital Triangular Alopecia (Brauer Nevus): Case Report and Review of Literature in Occipital and Mid-Frontal Localizations.

INTRODUCTION: Brauer nevus, also known as congenital triangular alopecia (CTA) is a localized alopecia that rarely affects the occipital or mid-frontal region. CTA is a localized follicular hypoplasia, commonly misdiagnosed as alopecia areata. Although named congenital, onset in adulthood is possible. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a review of literature of eighteen atypical locations, providing 4 new cases to the 9 previously published, with particular attention to trichoscopy and histopathological descriptions in this exceptional presentation forms. DISCUSSION: Occipital and mid-frontal Brauer nevus are unusual findings with very few cases reported so far. Because of its rarity and atypical presentation, it can often lead to a misdiagnosis. A higher incidence in the male sex stands clear in these locations. Detection at birth is slightly more frequent than in the classical CTA. Histopathological and trichoscopy findings do not differ from the classical entity, although white or hypopigmented hairs do not seem to be an item present in the mid-frontal forms.

Real-World Characteristics and Outcome of Patients Treated With Single-Agent Ibrutinib for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in Spain (IBRORS-LLC Study).

BACKGROUND: Ibrutinib demonstrated remarkable efficacy and favorable tolerability in patients with untreated or relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including those with high-risk genetic alterations. The IBRORS-CLL study assessed the characteristics, clinical management and outcome of CLL patients receiving ibrutinib in routine clinical practice in Spain. PATIENTS: Observational, retrospective, multicenter study in CLL patients who started single-agent ibrutinib as first-line treatment or at first or second relapse between January 2016 and January 2019. RESULTS: A total of 269 patients were included (median age: 70.9 years; cardiovascular comorbidity: 55.4%, including hypertension [47.6%] and atrial fibrillation [AF] [7.1%]). Overall, 96.7% and 69% of patients underwent molecular testing for del(17p)/TP53 mutation and IGHV mutation status. High-risk genetic features included unmutated IGHV (79%) and del(17p)/TP53 mutation (first-line: 66.3%; second-line: 23.1%). Overall, 84 (31.2%) patients received ibrutinib as first-line treatment, and it was used as second- and third-line therapy in 121 (45.0%) and 64 (23.8%) patients. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were not reached irrespective of del(17p)/TP53, or unmutated IGHV. Common grade ≥3 adverse events were infections (12.2%) and bleeding (3%). Grade ≥3 AF occurred in 1.5% of patients. CONCLUSION: This real-world study shows that single-agent ibrutinib is an effective therapy for CLL, regardless of age and high-risk molecular features, consistent with clinical trials. Additionally, single-agent ibrutinib was well tolerated, with a low rate of cardiovascular events. This study also emphasized a high molecular testing rate of del(17p)/TP53 mutation and IGHV mutation status in clinical practice according to guideline recommendations.

Eccrine mucinous nevus: clinical and histopathological description in an adult Nevus mucinoso ecrino en el adulto: descripción clínicohistológica.

Eccrine mucinous nevus is an uncommon hamartoma whose histological diagnosis is simple because of its peculiar morphological features, which include an increase in the number and/or size of the glands and eccrine ducts accompanied by abundant mucin deposits. When it presents with the typical symptom, focal hyperhidrosis, clinical suspicion is possible. El nevus mucinoso ecrino (NME) es un hamartoma escasamente reportado en la literatura cuyo diagnóstico histológico es sencillo debido a sus peculiares rasgos morfológicos, que incluye un aumento del número y/o tamaño de las glándulas ductos ecrinos acompañado de abundante depósito de mucina. Cuando presenta los hallazgos típicos, como la hiperhidrosis focal, es posible su sospecha clínica.

Bone marrow infiltration by flow cytometry at diffuse large B-cell lymphoma NOS diagnosis implies worse prognosis without considering bone marrow histology.

BACKGROUND: The significance of discrepant findings between histology (BMB) and flow cytometry (FC) in bone marrow (BM) examination at diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) diagnosis is uncertain. METHODS: We performed a 5-year retrospective single-center study of patients diagnosed by DLBCL not otherwise specified (n = 82), divided into three groups according to BM infiltration at diagnosis: BMB-/FC- (75.6%), BMB+/FC+ (13.4%), and BMB-/FC+ (11%). RESULTS: Median infiltration by FC analysis of the BMB-/FC+ group was 0.8% and if we considered BM infiltration as positive in all cases, 4/9 would be upstaged. Median follow was 33 months. Event-free survival (EFS) after 18 months was 82, 23, and 27% for BMB-/FC-, BMB-/FC+, and BMB+/FC+, respectively (p < .001). After 18 months of observation, OS was 87, 46, and 55% for BMB-/FC-, BMB-/FC+, and BMB+/FC+, respectively (p = .001). In multivariate analysis (BM infiltration vs. cell-of-origin according to Hans algorithm and standard IPI), BM infiltration was independently associated with EFS (HR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.3-2.9) and overall survival (HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.1-2.7). CONCLUSION: In summary, minimal BM infiltration, detected by FC but not by BMB, has same prognostic implications than overt BM infiltration and should be considered as extranodal involvement regardless the infiltration quantity.

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia Following a Patchy Pattern: A New Form of Clinical Presentation and a Challenging Diagnosis for the Dermatologist.

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is included among the primary lymphocytic cicatricial alopecias. The current nomenclature of CCCA suggested by the North American Hair Research Society refers to the traditional clinical presentation pattern of this type of alopecia, which begins in the central area of the scalp and has a progressive and symmetric centrifuge evolution. However, some exceptions should be highlighted, and a new clinical variety of CCCA presenting with patches of hair loss affecting the lateral and posterior scalp has been recently described. Here, we report a new case of CCCA presenting with a patchy pattern. In addition to the fact that this new patchy presentation of CCCA is not contemplated in the current terminology, it has a difficult differential diagnosis with other alopecias that have patches as their presentation. In these cases, both the trichoscopy and the histopathology are indispensable for diagnosis that will allow a targeted treatment and avoid an unfortunate prognosis.

Lesiones cutáneas reticuladas en un paciente con dolor lumbar / Reticular erythema in a patient with back pain

El desarrollo de las nuevas tecnologías está modificando nuestra vida en muchos aspectos, incluyendo la aparición de nuevas patologías y el cambio en las causas de otras ya conocidas. El eritema "ab igne" es un tipo de hipermelanosis producida por la exposición crónica al calor moderado, que clásicamente se ha relacionado con el uso de braseros, bolsas de agua caliente o mantas eléctricas, actualmente las podemos ver relacionadas con el empleo de ordenadores portátiles. El diagnóstico es eminentemente clínico y la sospecha diagnóstica junto con la anamnesis dirigida revelarán la exposición crónica a la radiación térmica. Es necesario tener presentes estos nuevos agentes etiológicos para evitar retrasos diagnósticos y el consiguiente empeoramiento del cuadro clínico. El conocimiento de esta entidad clínica es importante dado que se encuentra dentro del diagnóstico diferencial de la patología con lesiones reticuladas cutáneas, presente de forma habitual en ciertas enfermedades reumatológicas. Los facultativos debemos conocer esta entidad para sospecharla y advertir a nuestros pacientes del riesgo que supone el apoyo directo y continuado de una fuente de calor(AU)

El desarrollo de las nuevas tecnologías está modificando nuestra vida en muchos aspectos, incluyendo la aparición de nuevas patologías y el cambio en las causas de otras ya conocidas. El eritema "ab igne" es un tipo de hipermelanosis producida por la exposición crónica al calor moderado, que clásicamente se ha relacionado con el uso de braseros, bolsas de agua caliente o mantas eléctricas, actualmente las podemos ver relacionadas con el empleo de ordenadores portátiles. El diagnóstico es eminentemente clínico y la sospecha diagnóstica junto con la anamnesis dirigida revelarán la exposición crónica a la radiación térmica. Es necesario tener presentes estos nuevos agentes etiológicos para evitar retrasos diagnósticos y el consiguiente empeoramiento del cuadro clínico. El conocimiento de esta entidad clínica es importante dado que se encuentra dentro del diagnóstico diferencial de la patología con lesiones reticuladas cutáneas, presente de forma habitual en ciertas enfermedades reumatológicas. Los facultativos debemos conocer esta entidad para sospecharla y advertir a nuestros pacientes del riesgo que supone el apoyo directo y continuado de una fuente de calor(AU)