Lentigo maligno na face: um desafio na conduta / Lentigo maligna on the face: a challenging conduct

Resumo O lentigo maligno é um melanoma in situ, de crescimento radial e lento, que acomete áreas fotoexpostas principalmente em idosos. Quando acomete a pálpebra, devido à proximidade a um órgão nobre, a conduta é controversa, porém a cirurgia é o método mais usado, com margens que variam de acordo com a referência utilizada. Terapias conservadoras são descritas, como o imiquimode 5% e a radioterapia. O presente relato tem como objetivo demonstrar a escassez de estudos sobre a margem cirúrgica e citar opções de tratamentos não cirúrgicos para o lentigo maligno da face.

Abstract Lentigo maligna is a melanoma in situ, of slow radial growth, which affects sun-exposed areas, especially in the elderly. When it affects the eyelid, due to the proximity to a noble organ, the conduct is controversial, but surgery is the method most commonly used, with with margins varying according to the reference used. Conservative treatments are described, such as imiquimod 5% and radiotherapy. This report aims to demonstrate the lack of studies on the surgical margin, and to name nonsurgical treatment options for lentigo maligna of the face.

Photoletter to the editor: Exogenous pigmentation after Diplopoda exposure leading to a dermatoscopic parallel ridge pattern on the plantar region.

The millipedes (also known as "gongolos") are arthropods characterized by a cylindrical body consisting of rings. When threatened, they release chemicals that can cause erythema and hyperpigmentation. We report the case of a patient who developed a darkened macule on the plantar region after stepping on a millipede. Dermatoscopic examination showed a parallel-ridge pattern, which is considered typical for acral melanoma. A detailed history was essential for the diagnosis, as the clinical and dermatoscopic features suggested a malignant melanocytic lesion.

Analysis of mutations in the PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes in verrucous epidermal nevus.

Verrucous epidermal nevi are congenital hamartomas composed of keratinocytes and may occur alone or in association with developmental abnormalities. A close relationship between variations in the PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes and the appearance of nevi has been recently reported. Based on that, we performed molecular assays for the identification of E542K, E545G/K and H1047R mutations in the PIK3CA gene and of the R248C mutation in the FGFR3 gene. Interestingly, during the amplification process, we did not observe the PCR product of exon 9 of the PIK3CA gene, a region comprising amino acids 542-545. This strongly suggests the occurrence of a microdeletion of that region and indicates a possible allelic variant, which has not yet being described in the literature.

Analysis of mutations in the PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes in verrucous epidermal nevus / Analise de mutacoes nos genes PIK3CA e FGFR3 em caso de nevo epidermico verrucoso

Verrucous epidermal nevi are congenital hamartomas composed of keratinocytes and may occur alone or in association with developmental abnormalities. A close relationship between variations in the PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes and the appearance of nevi has been recently reported. Based on that, we performed molecular assays for the identification of E542K, E545G/K and H1047R mutations in the PIK3CA gene and of the R248C mutation in the FGFR3 gene. Interestingly, during the amplification process, we did not observe the PCR product of exon 9 of the PIK3CA gene, a region comprising amino acids 542-545. This strongly suggests the occurrence of a microdeletion of that region and indicates a possible allelic variant, which has not yet being described in the literature.

Os nevos epidérmicos verrucosos são hamartomas congênitos compostos por queratinócitos, que podem ocorrer isolados ou associados a alterações do desenvolvimento. Com a recente observação de uma relação estreita entre variações nos genes PIK3CA e FGFR3 e o aparecimento do nevo, realizamos ensaios moleculares para identificação das mutações E542K, E545G/K e H1047R do gene PIK3CA, e R248C do gene FGFR3. Interessantemente, durante o processo de amplificação não observamos o produto da PCR do exon 9 do gene PIK3CA, região que compreende aos aminoácidos 542-545, sugerindo fortemente a ocorrência de uma microdeleção da região e indicando uma provável variante alélica ainda não descrita na literatura.

Parallel ridge pattern on dermoscopy: observation in non-melanoma cases.

The acral melanoma is the most prevalent type of melanoma in the non-Caucasian population, and dermoscopy is a useful tool for earlier diagnosis and differentiation from benign lesions. The dermoscopic pattern often associated with melanoma on the volar skin is the parallel ridge, with 99% specificity according to the literature. However, this pattern can also occur in several benign acral lesions, so it is important to make a good interpretation of this pattern, along with the clinical history and evolution.

Off-label use of rituximab in dermatology: pemphigus treatment.

Since its approval in 1997 by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration), rituximab has been used for certain B-cell lymphomas and treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis. Nevertheless, over the past 14 years, many case reports have demonstrated the efficacy of off-label rituximab in several dermatological inflammatory conditions. This study describes two cases of pemphigus vulgaris and two cases of pemphigus foliaceous that were treated with rituximab at 375 mg/m2 once a week for 4 weeks, and that responded well to treatment.

Parallel ridge pattern on dermoscopy: observation in non-melanoma cases / Padrao dermatoscopico em cristas paralelas: observacao em casos nao-melanoma

The acral melanoma is the most prevalent type of melanoma in the non-Caucasian population, and dermoscopy is a useful tool for earlier diagnosis and differentiation from benign lesions. The dermoscopic pattern often associated with melanoma on the volar skin is the parallel ridge, with 99% specificity according to the literature. However, this pattern can also occur in several benign acral lesions, so it is important to make a good interpretation of this pattern, along with the clinical history and evolution.

O melanoma acral é o tipo mais prevalente de melanoma na população não caucasiana, sendo a dermatoscopia uma ferramenta útil para um diagnóstico mais precoce e diferenciação com lesões benignas. O padrão dermatoscópico, frequentemente, associado ao melanoma na pele volar é o de cristas paralelas, com 99% de especificidade segundo a literatura. No entanto, também pode ocorrer em diversas lesões acrais benignas, por isso é importante uma boa interpretação deste padrão, associado a história clínica e evolução.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by lansoprazole.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare, severe cutaneous reaction, mostly caused by drugs. It affects the skin and mucous membranes, with involvement of more than 30% of body surface. We describe the case of a young woman, previously healthy, who developed skin detachment of more than 90% of the body surface 15 days after being administered lansoprazole for peptic disease. The treatment consisted in discontinuation of the drug involved and early administration of intravenous human immunoglobulin, which led to a satisfactory outcome of the case, substantiating the impact of early diagnosis and treatment on the morbidity and mortality of these patients.

Granuloma piogênico exuberante bilateral: tratamento cirúrgico / Exuberant bilateral pyogenic granuloma: surgical treatment

Granuloma piogênico é uma proliferação vascular comum, que pode ser encontrada na pele e mucosa. Clinicamente se apresenta como lesão nodular, friável, eritematosa e com história de crescimento rápido. O granuloma piogênico ungueal está, geralmente, relacionado à onicocriptose e trauma, sendo muito doloroso nesta localização. Há várias opções de tratamento, incluindo excisão cirúrgica, crioterapia, eletrocauterização, curetagem, lasers, aplicação de ácido tricloroacético, imiquimode e microembolização. Relatamos um caso de granuloma piogênico bilateral nos háluces, de crescimento exuberante, levando a oclusão da placa ungueal. Foi realizado exérese cirúrgica da lesão com bom resultado estético.

Pyogenic granuloma is a common vascular proliferation that can be found on skin and mucous membranes. Its clinical presentation is that of a nodular, friable and erythematous lesion, with fast growth history. The nail bed pyogenic granuloma is generally related to onychocryptosis and trauma, being very painful in that site. There are several treatment options, including surgical excision, cryotherapy, electrocautery, curettage, lasers, application of trichloroacetic acid, imiquimod and microembolization. The present study reports a case of bilateral pyogenic granuloma in the halluces with exuberant growth, leading to the occlusion of the nail plate. The surgical excision of the lesion was performed with good cosmetic results.

Embolismo pulmonar não fatal em paciente queimado / Non-fatal pulmonary embolism in burned patient

Objetivo: Destacar a importância do tromboembolismo venoso como fator de morbidade e mortalidade em pacientes queimados. Relato de caso: Paciente do sexo masculino, 27 anos, vítima de queimadura por corrente elétrica e chama, com comprometimento de 19% de superfície corporal queimada. Apresentou, após 5ª semana de internação, trombose de veia profunda de membro inferior e embolia pulmonar não fatal. Conclusão: Além dos fatores comuns a outros grupos, os pacientes queimados apresentam-se expostos a outros fatores de risco para tromboembolismo pulmonar, com destaque para queimadura de extremidades, infecção de áreas queimadas e deficiência de antitrombina III. A sistematização do tratamento de pacientes queimados deve incluir a profilaxia antitrombótica e a rápida implementação do tratamento específico para o tromboembolismo.

Aim: To detach the thromboembolism's importance as a factor of morbility and mortality in burned patients. Case report: Twenty-seven years old male patient, burn victim by eletricity and fire, with 19% of the total body surface area. The patient presented, after 5th week of hospitalization, deep vein thrombosis and non-fatal pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: Besides the common factor to others groups, burned patients are exposed to others risk factors to pulmonary thromboembolism, with eminence for burned extremities, burned area infection and antithrombin III deficiency. The treatment's systematization must include the antithrombotic prophylaxis and quickly use of especific therapy to pulmonary thromboembolism.