Clinical characteristics and management outcomes in isolated nail lichen planus: A retrospective case series.

Background Isolated nail lichen planus (NLP) without mucocutaneous involvement is rare. Literature about the clinical profile and management is scarce. Aims/Objective We attempted to characterize the clinico-demographic profile and analyze the management outcome of patients with isolated nail lichen planus. Methods Records of 15 patients were evaluated, and their demographic profile, clinical features of the nail matrix and nail bed disease, onychoscopy findings, histopathological features, treatment given, and follow-up progress were analysed. Results Data from 15 patients were collected. The mean age of the patients was 28.6 ± 19.0 years (range 3.5 years to 56 years). The gender ratio was 0.8 with 7 males and 8 females. The average disease duration at presentation was 2.8 ± 2.6 years (6 months-9 years). The average number of nails involved was 16.4 ± 4.6 (8-20 nails). All 20 nails were involved in 9 (60%) patients. Nail matrix -involvement was seen in all, with onychorrhexis being the most common manifestation, which was seen in 11 (73.3%) patients. Nail bed involvement was seen in 11 (73.3%) patients, with onycholysis being the most common presentation. Severe nail disease was seen in 7 (46.7%) patients, and 5 (33.3%) had pterygium involving an average of 3.4 nails. Moderate to good improvement was observed in 9 (60%) patients after an average of 6.1 ± 2.4 (3-9) treatment sessions with intramuscular and intramatricial triamcinolone acetonide injection. Of these, 2/9 (22.2%) developed disease recurrence in a few nails after an interval of 1 and 1.5 years, respectively. Two patients achieved complete clinical cures that persisted beyond 2 years of follow-up. Limitations Retrospective nature of the series and the small sample size are the major limitations. Conclusion The risk of permanent disfigurement is high in NLP and calls for an early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Intralesional and intramuscular steroids are first-line therapeutic options depending upon the number of nails involved.

Household secondary attack rate in mild COVID-19.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has reached a staggering number of almost 280 million cases worldwide, with over 5.4 million deaths as of 29 December 2021. A further understanding of the factors related to the household spread of the infection might help to bring about specific protocols to curb such transmission. Objective: This study aims to find the secondary attack rate (SAR) and factors affecting SAR among the households of mild COVID-19 cases. Methods: An observational study was designed where data of patients admitted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi due to mild COVID-19 were collected, and outcome was noted after the discharge of the patient. Index cases who were the first in the household to have a positive infection only were included. Based on these data, the overall household SAR, factors related to the index case and contacts that affected transmissibility were noted. Results: A total of 60 index cases having contacts with 184 household members were included in the present study. The household SAR was measured to be 41.85%. At least one positive case was present in 51.67% households. Children below 18 years old had lower odds of getting a secondary infection compared to adults and elderly [odds ratio (OR) = 0.46, 95%CI = 0.22-0.94, p = 0.0383). An exposure period of more than a week was significantly associated with a higher risk of infection (p = 0.029). The rate of transmissibility drastically declined with effective quarantine measures adopted by the index case (OR = 0.13, 95%CI = 0.06-0.26, p < 0.00001). Symptomatic index cases contributed more to the SAR than asymptomatic primaries (OR = 4.74, 95%CI = 1.03-21.82, P = 0.045). Healthcare worker index cases had lower rates of spread (OR = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.15-0.58, P = 0.0003). Conclusion: The high SAR shows the household is a potential high-risk unit for transmissibility of COVID-19. Proper quarantine measures of all those exposed to the index case can mitigate such spread and lead to reduction of risk of COVID-19 within a household.

Cutaneous tuberculosis. Part I: Pathogenesis, classification, and clinical features.

Tuberculosis is an ancient disease that continues to affect an estimated 10 million people per year and is responsible for 1.4 million deaths per year. Additionally, the HIV epidemic and multidrug resistance present challenges to disease control. Cutaneous tuberculosis is an uncommon, often indolent, manifestation of mycobacterial infection that has a varied presentation. Its diagnosis is challenging, as lesions mimic other, more common conditions and microbiological confirmation is often not possible. Cutaneous tuberculosis can be broadly categorized into multibacillary and paucibacillary forms. Approximately one-third of skin tuberculosis is associated with systemic involvement. By recognizing cutaneous tuberculosis early, dermatologists can play an important role in disease control. The first article in this 2-part continuing medical education series describes the latest epidemiology, microbiology, and pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Furthermore, we review the classification, clinical manifestations, common clinical differentials, and systemic involvement that occur in cutaneous tuberculosis.

Microdroplet Botulinum Toxin: A Review.

Microbotox is the administration of multiple microdroplets of botulinum toxin in intradermal plane. It is increasingly becoming popular owing to its more favorable outcome and better safety profile than the conventional technique. The intention is to treat fine lines and wrinkles without imparting an undesired "frozen face like" appearance. Besides facial rejuvenation, it has found its way into the management of other indications such as rosacea, hyperhidrosis, keloid, and seborrhea. Being a relatively newer method, knowledge about the various dilution methods, desired volume, and correct depth of injection involved in this technique remain scarce. In this article, the authors have highlighted various indications, procedures, adverse effects, and contraindications of microbotox.

Clinicoepidemiological characteristics of cutaneous tuberculosis in 1458 Indian patients: a retrospective analytical study from a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) has been one of the most challenging infectious diseases globally. Cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) accounts for 0.5-2% of extrapulmonary TB and is often missed owing to its varying morphology and paucibacillary nature. METHODS: In this retrospective analytical study, we share our 22-year experience to describe the clinicoepidemiological features and treatment response of CTB in 1458 Indian patients. In each patient, detailed history was followed by clinical examination, hematological and biochemical investigations, Mantoux testing, chest x-ray, and other specialized investigations to detect coexisting systemic foci. Clinical diagnosis of CTB was confirmed on histopathology/cytology and response to standard antitubercular treatment (ATT). All details were recorded on a predesigned proforma. RESULTS: Of 1458 eligible patients, 803 were children. The mean disease duration was 15.3 months. Lupus vulgaris (40.4%) was the most common clinical variant, followed by scrofuloderma (32.7%) and lichen scrofulosorum (15.2%). Other variants included tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, gumma, tuberculids, and inoculation TB. Multiple clinical variants were observed in 3.6% of patients. A total of 41.4% of patients had coexistent systemic foci; in lymph nodes (50.4%), lungs (35.6%), bone (10.3%), and abdomen (5.8%). TB foci were also observed at uncommon locations like the eye, central nervous system, and genital organs. Treatment response to ATT was favorable in 99.2%. INTERPRETATION: The burden of CTB still persists in developing countries. The diagnosis is often missed due to the wide spectrum of clinical and histological presentations. Awareness among clinicians of varying aspects of CTB is of paramount importance for early diagnosis and management and will significantly prevent morbidity and disease complications.

Mucoscopy of Oral Leukoplakia: A Case Series.

The application of a dermoscope in the study of mucosal pathologies is increasingly gaining importance. An easy, noninvasive characterization of pathological changes serves as an aid to dermatologists, sometimes even obliviating the need for histopathology. The aim of the present case series was to describe the mucoscopic features of histologically proven oral leukoplakia. Five consecutive cases of histologically proven oral leukoplakia were included for mucoscopy. Polarized mucoscopy shows white-to-pink structureless areas (100%), intervening pink lines (80%), and surface corrugations (60%). The periphery of the lesions showed white clods (100%) and dotted vessels with irregular arrangement (60%).

COVID-19 and Healthcare Worker: What We Need to Know.

COVID-19 pandemic has challenged and overwhelmed most healthcare institutions and healthcare workers, across the world. Despite being unprepared for this pandemic, frontline workers have worked relentlessly to provide the much-needed care to these patients. Doctors from different branches of medicine, including dermatologists, came forward and played a substantial role in mitigating the impact of this pandemic on the general population. Sadly, in the process, these healthcare workers faced many personal, social, psychological, economic, and health-related issues. The psychological burden and health-related issues received due attention in the main-stream news as well as scientific research papers. With most frontline workers isolated from their families, social media became the new platform to reduce the sense of isolation and share their anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue. This article is aimed at highlighting various challenges faced by healthcare workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Constructivist teaching and learning with technologies in the COVID-19 lockdown in Eastern India.

This paper reports a study on teaching and learning strategies during the COVID-19 lockdown period (CLP) that were used by the secondary government school teachers and students in Eastern India. These teaching and learning strategies were analysed in relation to their engagement with an initiative called Integrated approach to Technology in Education (ITE). ITE engagement in the pre-CLP involved using project-based learning (PBL) with technology and continuous, practise-based professional development for teachers focusing on integrating constructivist use of technology in their curriculum and pedagogy. A survey and interviews of teachers revealed that teachers with higher ITE engagement in the pre-CLP were more likely to use PBL with technology during the CLP. Students' interviews indicated that this PBL involved deep research and technical skills that were also practised during the CLP using distance technologies. Thus, the study demonstrated adaptation of ITE innovation into a distance mode; the introduction of WebQuests during the CLP improved the likelihood of teachers engaging in project-based teaching and PBL during the CLP. Policymakers, practitioners and researchers are recommended to adopt and continue to study the sustainability of ITE approach in new contexts such as the CLP.

Clinico-epidemiological profile of lichen scrofulosorum: a 22-year, single-center, retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Lichen scrofulosorum (LS) represents immunologic reaction to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen and presents with subtle, asymptomatic, grouped follicular papules over the trunk and shows good therapeutic response to antitubercular drugs. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with LS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of patients diagnosed with LS from 1997 to 2018 was conducted. The data pertained to clinico-epidemiological profile, BCG vaccination, Mantoux positivity, laboratory investigations, coexistent focus of tuberculosis, and response to antitubercular treatment (ATT). RESULTS: LS cases constituted 15.2% (221/1458) of all the patients diagnosed with cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB). Of these, 156 (70.5%) were pediatric patients. All patients presented with multiple follicular and perifollicular grouped papules. The trunk was the most common site involved (98.6%), followed by lower limb (25.33%), upper limb (15.83%), face (5%), and external genitalia (3.6%). Evidence of BCG vaccination and Mantoux test positivity was observed in 52.03 and 83.2%, respectively. Coexistent TB focus was detected in 134 (60.6%) patients in lymph nodes, lungs, abdomen, and unusual sites such as intracranial, endometrium, and eye. Twenty-eight patients (12.66%) had coexistent other clinical forms of CTB. Clinical diagnosis of LS was confirmed on histology that revealed chiefly periappendageal epithelioid cell granuloma. Response to ATT was good with complete resolution of lesion in 8-12 weeks. CONCLUSION: LS appears to be an underdiagnosed entity. Subtle and asymptomatic lesions of LS are often missed, thereby necessitating a high index of suspicion and appropriate evaluation of the underlying TB focus.

Unusual Richter's Hernia: Impacted foreign body leading to incarceration and perforation - A rare clinical entity.

INTRODUCTION & IMPORTANCE: Richter's hernia is a clinically deceiving entity as is particularly associated with high morbidity and mortality which can be can be abated by timely diagnosis and surgery. Direct inguinal hernias having a wide neck have lesser chances of incarceration and strangulation when compared to indirect inguinal hernias. The knowledge about this type of hernia is especially important in the context of laparoscopy as majority of the laparoscopic port site hernias are characteristically Richter's type in configuration. The objective of this report is to highlight the unusual presentation of the case and sine quo non of prompt diagnosis and timely surgery remains the cornerstone of management. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of Richter's hernia incarcerated due to an impacted foreign body (match stick) through a direct inguinal hernia. Patient presented with a painful, non-expansile, tender swelling in left groin. Patient was diagnosed with a complicated inguinal hernia and underwent exploration with resection of involved bowel segment and primary repair of hernia. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Richter's hernia is a rare abdominal wall hernia specifically known for its unusual and delayed presentation leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Direct inguinal hernias are less prone to complications like obstruction, strangulation and incarceration owing to presence of a wide neck. Clinical suspicion, prompt radiological diagnosis and timely surgery can lead to an uneventful recovery. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the only treatment, but timely surgery remains the golden opportunity. Critical in repair is the evaluation of intestinal viability.

Facial Mask-related Acne and Acneiform Eruption During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Case Series.

Use of a facial mask is a necessity during the current pandemic. The associated occlusion with extended daily use can lead to physiological changes in the skin with resultant irritation, itching, and infections. This can lead to exacerbation of pre-existing dermatoses or induction of irritant dermatitis or bacterial folliculitis. We observed several patients with previously controlled acne vulgaris who developed a flare. Also, in those without a history of pre-existing acne, an acneiform eruption was noted. The majority of patients were women who had pre-existing acne and needed to wear a N95 respirator or a surgical mask for several hours a day, every day. A few suggested simple preventative measures provided herein might help this vulnerable population.

The diverse methods of bleomycin delivery in cutaneous warts: A literature review.

Bleomycin is a useful treatment option for recalcitrant verrucae. Several different methods of bleomycin delivery have been described, including intralesional injection, intralesional injection combined with laser, microneedling, multiple puncture and adhesive tape. We reviewed the literature to evaluate the various methods of bleomycin administration to treat warts, including the different doses, instruments and procedures used. Intralesional injection (cure rate ranged from 67.8% to 99.23%) and topical bleomycin with multipuncture or microneedling methods (63.6% to 100%) were found to be effective in the treatment of warts. Overall, pain is significantly less with microneedling and multipuncture techniques compared with intralesional injection. Bleomycin injection combined with pulsed dye laser, electroporation, or by other methods, such as, microneedle patches or adhesive tape do not seem to be more beneficial than bleomycin administered by intralesional injection, multipuncture or microneedling techniques.