Lymphovascular Invasion in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a large body of literature regarding risk stratification and outcomes for perineural invasion (PNI) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), there is a relative paucity of studies exploring the role of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in cSCC and a lack of clear evidence-based guidelines for how to manage patients with these tumors. OBJECTIVE: This article is intended to review the available literature regarding LVI in cSCC and formulate evidence-based recommendations for clinical management. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A literature review was conducted using PubMed to find relevant articles relating to outcomes and management of primary cSCC with LVI. RESULTS: The available literature suggests that LVI is a major risk factor for poor outcomes and increased morbidity and mortality in cSCC. CONCLUSION: Lymphovascular invasion is a very high-risk feature that should place these tumors in the highest-risk category, and management of these tumors should be similar to that of squamous cell carcinoma with PNI.

Barber Knowledge and Recommendations for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae.

This survey study describes an opportunity for a partnership between barbers and dermatologists to identify, evaluate, and treat pseudofolliculitis barbae in the Black male population.

Symptomatic perineural and intraneural invasion of the trigeminal nerve and subsequent abducens Nerve palsy by cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

A 74-year-old woman who presented initially with trigeminal neuralgia of the left forehead and scalp was later found to have a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with large-nerve perineural and intraneural invasion of the left supraorbital nerve. Negative histopathologic margins were achieved in three stages of permanent fixed tissue en face processing and the final defect was repaired with a large rotation flap. Approximately one month after repair, the patient presented with new-onset diplopia and was found to have a complete left cranial nerve VI palsy suspicious for continued disease spread. MRI confirmed perineural spread along the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve through the superior orbital fissure into the cavernous sinus. She was subsequently treated with radiation therapy (66Gy in 33 fractions). The involvement of two distinct cranial nerves by perineural invasion is uncommon and has mostly been described involving branches of the trigeminal and facial nerves. This case highlights the rare presentation of perineural invasion involving both the trigeminal nerve and the abducens nerve. Anatomically, this clinical presentation can be explained by the retrograde perineural spread along the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve through the supraorbital fossa into the cavernous sinus where these two nerves are in close proximity.

Eruption of squamous cell carcinomas after beginning nilotinib therapy.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by a reciprocal translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22 leading to the formation of a constitutively active tyrosine kinase. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the treatment of choice for patients diagnosed with CML and have many associated side effects including the rarely-reported eruption of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Herein, we report a patient with CML who presented with sudden onset of multiple scaly lesions on his legs and trunk after beginning treatment with nilotinib, a novel TKI. Six biopsies were performed at his initial presentation and four of these lesions were confirmed to be keratoacanthoma-type SCCs. One month later, the patient reported the development of multiple new similar lesions on his legs, arms, and face. Four more biopsies were performed revealing keratoacanthoma-type and well-differentiated SCCs. Certain tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib and quizartinib have been reported to cause eruptive keratoacanthoma (KA)-type SCCs as seen in our patient. However, there is only one other report in the literature of nilotinib promoting the development of SCCs or KAs. Physicians should be aware of this potential adverse effect and patients taking nilotinib should be closely monitored by a dermatologist.

Basomelanocytic Neoplasms: A Report of Two Similar Tumors With Divergent Treatments.

Basomelanocytic neoplasms are tumors consisting of elements of both basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. These tumors are exceedingly rare and present a unique challenge as to how the melanoma component should be classified. Due to the paucity of cases, there are no clear-cut evidence-based guidelines as to how these tumors should be staged and which treatment options provide the optimal outcome. We present 2 separate patients with similar cases of colonizing basomelanocytic tumors that were treated in drastically different ways, highlighting the differing approaches to treatment. We discuss theses treatment modalities and the challenges inherent to diagnosing and treating basomelanocytic neoplasms.

Basal cell carcinoma masquerading as a dermoid cyst and bursitis of the knee.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant skin cancer diagnosed in the United States. We present the case of a 67-year-old man whose knee pain and tumor of 2 years' duration was initially diagnosed as a dermoid cyst and bursitis. Dermatology referral confirmed a delayed diagnosis of BCC. This case provides insight into the range of BCC presentations and reminds clinicians to consider BCC when the differential diagnosis includes a dermoid cyst and bursitis.

Ulcerated tophaceous gout.

Gout is a common inflammatory arthropathy with a high prevalence worldwide. Increased levels of uric acid in the blood lead to deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the joints, inflammation, and pain. Acute gout attacks are often sudden, monoarticular, and typically resolve within a week, whereas chronic gout is often polyarticular with baseline pain between attacks. In chronic gout, depositions of uric acid known as tophi can form throughout the body. Despite the high prevalence of gout and the frequency with which tophi occur, ulceration over tophi is surprisingly rare. We report the case of a 38-year-old man, undiagnosed with gout, who presented to clinic for evaluation of ulcers with chalky white granules. The wounds were determined to be ulcerated tophaceous gout. Risk factors for ulceration over tophi and reported treatments are discussed.

Delayed diagnosis of post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum: A multicenter case series and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Pyoderma gangrenosum is a chronic neutrophilic dermatosis which can occur following trauma or surgery and can mimic infection. Surgical intervention can lead to progression of disease. PRESENTATION OF CASES: This case series describes 3 cases of post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum with delayed diagnosis from two large medical centers. DISCUSSION: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical and histopathologic presentation, and management of post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum are discussed with a review of the literature. CONCLUSION: Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum (PSPG) can mimic ulcerative disorders including bacterial infection. The diagnosis should be suspected in post-operative wounds with negative bacterial cultures which progress despite broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical debridement. Recognizing the clinical features of PSPG is fundamental to prevent severe destruction and deformity.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia masquerading as cutaneous indeterminate dendritic cell tumor: Expanding the spectrum of skin lesions in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a hematopoietic stem cell neoplasm exhibiting both myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative features. Cutaneous involvement by CMML is critical to recognize as it typically is a harbinger of disease progression and an increased incidence of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. Cutaneous lesions of CMML exhibit heterogeneous histopathologic features that can be challenging to recognize as CMML. We describe a 67-year-old man with a 3-year history of CMML who had been managed on single-agent azacitidine with stable disease before developing splenomegaly and acute onset skin lesions. Examination of these skin lesions revealed a dense infiltrate of histiocytic cells morphologically resembling Langerhans type cells (lacking frank histopathologic atypia), and with the immunophenotype of an indeterminate cell histiocytosis (S100+ CD1a+ and langerin-). Given the history of CMML, next-generation sequencing studies were performed on the skin biopsy. These revealed a KRAS (p.G12R) mutation identical to that seen in the CMML 3 years prior, establishing a clonal relationship between the 2 processes. This case expands the spectrum for and underscores the protean nature of cutaneous involvement by CMML and underscores the importance of heightened vigilance when evaluating skin lesions of CMML patients.

Delayed Diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Lip: The Possible Role of Incidental Multinucleated Foreign Body Giant Cells.

Herpes simplex and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can have similar clinical presentations due to overlapping lesional morphology. We describe the unusual case of a BCC masquerading as herpes labialis due to a possible false-positive Tzanck smear. The confounding diagnosis led to a failed trial of valacyclovir and subsequent loss of the patient for 1 year before the lesion was biopsied and diagnosed as a BCC. This case report highlights the importance of careful inspection of herpetic lesions and that further investigation should be pursued if the etiology is uncertain or if the treatment is not yielding the expected results.

Mohs Surgical Reconstruction Educational Activity: a resident education tool.

BACKGROUND: Surgical reconstructive planning following Mohs surgery can be a difficult subject for dermatology residents to master. Prior research demonstrates that active learning is preferred and more effective compared to passive learning models and that dermatology residents desire greater complexity and volume in surgical training. We present a novel, active, problem-based learning tool for the education of Mohs reconstruction with the goal of improving residents' ability to plan surgical reconstructions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Mohs Surgical Reconstruction Educational Activity is an active, problem-based learning activity in which residents designed repairs for planned Mohs defects prior to surgery on an iPad application or on a printed photograph. The attending Mohs surgeon reviewed the reconstructive designs, provided feedback, guided discussion, and facilitated insight into additional issues requiring further review. Residents performed or observed the Mohs and reconstructive surgical procedures for respective repairs. Surveys were administered to participants before and after participating in the Mohs Surgical Reconstruction Educational Activity to assess the educational value of the activity. Survey responses were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Mean participant-reported confidence in flap and graft knowledge, flap and graft planning, and flap and graft performance increased 1.50-2.50 Likert scale points upon completion of the Mohs surgery rotation by residents participating in the educational activity. The observed trend was larger in the dermatology resident subset, with increases of 2.00-3.50 Likert scale points reported for these questions. Mean participant-reported likelihoods of performing flaps and grafts in the future increased 0.25-0.50 Likert scale points among all residents participating in the educational activity and 0.50-1.00 Likert scale points in the dermatology resident subset. All residents participating in the educational activity somewhat or completely agreed with the statement, "I am faster at planning reconstructions after my Mohs rotation." In addition, 88% of participants "somewhat or completely agreed" that the exercise was a good educational experience. CONCLUSION: The Mohs Surgical Reconstruction Educational Activity is a valuable novel tool for learning reconstructive planning that is easy to incorporate into existing dermatology residency curricula, inexpensive, and utilizes active learning.