Histopathological and clinical traps in lichen sclerosus: a case report.

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and limited systemic scleroderma (acrosclerosis) are inflammatory skin diseases that ultimately evolve into two distinct modes of atrophic scar formation, but which can easily be confused clinically. They are very rarely associated. The literature has reported cases in which lichen sclerosus was associated with various forms of scleroderma, but often with localized morphea. The characteristic histopathological picture of lichen sclerosus includes a thin epidermis, with orthohyperkeratosis and vascular degeneration in the basal layer, loss of elastic fibers, and band-like inflammatory infiltrate in the papillary dermis, while systemic sclerosis is characterized by excessive deposition of collagen in the dermis, accompanied by reduction in adnexal structures and their entrapment in collagen, and the presence of perivascular lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate. We present the case of a 40-year-old female patient clinically diagnosed with systemic scleroderma and lichen sclerosus involving the genital mucosa. Physical examination in conjunction with laboratory findings (elevated antinuclear, anti-Scl-70, anti-SSA antibodies and immunogram) induced the supposition of the coexistence of lichen sclerosus and systemic scleroderma, fact confirmed by pathological examination. Systemic therapy with corticosteroids, immunosuppressive and phlebotropic drugs, peripheral vasodilators and other tropic adjuvants and topically potent topical corticosteroids was initiated. The course was favorable under therapy, the hardened skin slightly regaining elasticity, relief of itching and disappearance of lichen sclerosus lesions. Our case reaffirms the uncommon association of these two disorders. The importance of history, physical and laboratory examinations in making a diagnosis of certainty in emphasized.

Adverse reactions of biological therapy for psoriasis.

AIM: To detect in patients with psoriasis the adverse effects during TNF-a inhibitor therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with psoriasis, aged between 12 and 75 years were analyzed. They were treated with different TNF-α antagonists, the maximum treatment duration being 59 months. All patients were followed monthly after the initiation of therapy by clinical checkup, then every 3 months during the first 6 months of treatment by laboratory screening, and then every 6 month. Chest x-ray and tuberculin intradermal skin test were performed annually or as needed. All symptoms reported by patients were recorded, the treating doctor deciding the need for additional investigations or specialist consult. RESULTS: Of the total of 57 patients with psoriasis on biological therapy, 9 patients developed diseases requiring temporary or permanent discontinuation of therapy. The recorded adverse reactions were: infectious (pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary empyema), oncologic (rectal cancer, renal cancer), dermatologic (vesiculobullous erythema multiforme major, nodular hypodermtis, secondary erythroderma, and hives) disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its adverse reactions, biological therapy is safe and is a necessary tool in the treatment of moderate and severe forms of psoriasis unresponsive to other treatments.

Alopecia--a challenge for dermatologists.

Alopecia is a loss of hair in the areas where it normally grows. It has to be distinguished from atrichia, the congenital absence of hair due to the absence of hair follicles, and hipotrichosis, scarcity or absence of hair in some congenital diseases. Alopecia is either scarring, when the skin appears atrophic, scaling, and smooth and the hair follicles are absent, or nonscarring, when hair loss is not accompanied by the destruction of hair follicles. This paper is a review of all types of alopecia and their features in an attempt to make them easier to identify and differentiate.