Atypical fibroxanthoma: An analysis of 105 tumors.

Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a rare, low-grade dermal sarcoma. We analyzed our files from January 2001 to January 2020 for AFX. Clinical parameters, histopathology, treatment and outcome have been investigated. We identified 87 patients (mean age of 80.0 ± 8.4 years) with 105 confirmed tumors. Of these patients 86.2% were males. The most common clinical presentation was nodular (93.3%). The majority of AFX was located on the head with a mean tumor diameter of 15.0 mm ± 3.5 mm. All tumors showed a dermal localization, in 46.4% with a focal infiltration of the deeper layers. Second skin cancer was reported in 62.1% of patients. Collision tumors were seen in six patients. Treatment was surgical with three-dimensional margin control. Relapses were noted in 11.4% of tumors with a mean delay of 11.7 ± 17.3 months. Focally deeper infiltration of AFX was a risk factor (P = .014). None of the purely dermal AFX relapsed. No metastasis was observed. AFX is a rare mesenchymal tumor of elderly patients. Treatment of choice is the complete surgical excision. Due to the high rate of other skin malignancies among patients with AFX, a regular follow-up is recommended.

Adult Measles - Case Reports of a Highly Contagious Disease.

BACKGROUND: Measles is highly contagious and is caused by the RNA morbillivirus. The best protection is active immunisation in early childhood. Without immunisation morbidity and mortality of measles are high. In recent years, an increasing number of adult measles has been recognised in Europe. CASE REPORTS: We report here on two adult patients - a 40-year-old male and a 55-year-old female - who presented with fever, fatigue, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis and maculopapular rash. The suspicion of adult measles infection was confirmed by positivity for IgM antibodies against measles virus and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in blood and urine. Patients were isolated, and the treatment was symptomatic. In the younger patient, complete recovery was achieved within two weeks. In the older patient, an acute encephalopathy developed after initial improvement characterised by cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with fever and maculopapular rash and fatigue, measles should be considered even in adult patients. Early diagnosis with subsequent isolation and registration of patients are important measures to prevent local outbreaks of the disease.

Erythema Elevatum Diutinum - Two Case Reports, Two Different Clinical Presentations, and a Short Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) belongs to the spectrum of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitides. EED is a very rare dermatosis presenting with reddish to browning papules and plaques. EED may be associated with infections, hematologic and autoimmune disorders. CASE REPORTS: We present two patients with EED, a 50-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man. While the woman shows an association with colitis ulcerosa, the man had an anti-thrombin deficiency. Treatment was started with oral corticosteroid and dapsone, respectively. In both cases, there was a partial and temporary response. CONCLUSIONS: EED is a rare vasculitis with an unusual clinical presentation and a chronic course. Response to treatment is unsatisfactory and in the long-term run sometimes frustrating.

Giant Squamous Cell Carcinoma on Chronic Lichen Planus on the Ankle - A Case Report and Short Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common malignancy of skin. Although a major risk factor is a chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation, preexistent chronic inflammatory disorders may also possess an increased risk for SCC. That is not the case for cutaneous lichen planus in contrast to oral lichen planus and oral SCC. CASE REPORT: We report the case of an 87-year-old Caucasian woman presenting with a giant verrucous tumour on the left ankle. She suffered from long-standing disseminated lichen planus. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of SCC on partly verrucous lichen planus. The course was complicated due to sepsis. An emergency transfemoral amputation became necessary. The patients survived and could be released into her nursery. A literature review underlined the rarity of SCC on lichen planus of the skin. Most of these rare cases were in patients in their second half of life on the lower legs. Hypertrophic lichen planus was overrepresented. CONCLUSIONS: Although very rare by number, SCC can complicate lichen planus and lead to the life-threatening situation. Atypical verrucous lesions on lichen planus warrant a histologic analysis. Surgery is the treatment of choice for cutaneous SCC.

A 10-year analysis of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma with sentinel lymph node biopsy and long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an important tool for accurate staging of patients with melanoma. There is an ongoing debate whether the procedure provides therapeutic benefits or not. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to analyze 10-year data from an academic teaching hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During 1999-2009, 977 patients with early cutaneous melanoma have been treated. Of these, 419 patients had tumors ≥ 1 mm thickness. Patients with head and neck tumors were excluded, leaving 364 patients (202 men and 162 women). SLNB was not performed in 163 patients but was performed in 201 patients. For correction of bias, tumors >4 mm thickness were excluded from further statistical analysis. RESULTS: The detection rate of SLN was 94.4%. False negative SLN were observed in 8.9%. Adverse effects occurred in 5.5%. The rate of positive SLNB was 16.4% and lymph node involvement 20%. Patients undergoing SLNB had a lower relapse rate (10.6% vs. 33.3%; P < 0.001). The most important finding is an almost 50% lower total death rate and melanoma-related death rate in the SLNB subgroup (P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an accurate instrument for melanoma staging to detect occult regional lymph node involvement. Data suggest a positive effect on relapse-free survival. The observation of improved long-term survival needs validation in prospective multicenter trials. The limitations of this study were that it was a single center retrospective analysis.

Giant epithelial malignancies (Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma): a series of 20 tumors from a single center.

BACKGROUND: Among nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most common. Giant NMSCs have occasionally reported in the medical literature with particular problems related to diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze patients, treatment, and outcome with giant BCC/SCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed our files between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2011, of an academic teaching hospital in the dermatology department. Patients were analyzed according to demographic factors, clinical presentation, histopathology, treatment, and outcome. American Society of Anesthesiology physical status system was used to assess the fitness of patients before surgery. RESULTS: The frequency of giant NMSC was estimated as 0.4% for both tumor entities. 80% of giant BCC patients were female and 100% of giant SCC patients were male. The mean age was 81.5 ± 8.5 years for BCC) and 79.5 ± 11.4 years for SCC. The major anatomical site was the scalp. Four of 10 BCCs were classified metatypic (basosquamous). Perineural infiltration was seen in 5 NMSCs. Seventy percent of patients had an ASA score ≥3. Surgery was performed in general anaesthesia in 5 (BCC) and 6 (SCC) patients, respectively. All other patients were operated in local or tumescence anesthesia. Blood transfusions were necessary in five patients. The primary treatment was delayed Mohs technique. Defect closure was realized with rotational flaps in most cases. Neoadjuvant chemoimmune therapy and adjuvant combined cetuximab/radiotherapy have been performed in three patients. We observed three deaths, all unrelated to NMSC. 75% of patients achieved complete remission. CONCLUSIONS: Giant NMSC is uncommon but not rare. These tumors are high-risk subtypes. Treatment needs an interdisciplinary approach.

Painful, slow developing abscesses. Furuncular miyasis due to double skin infestation by Dermatobia hominis.

BACKGROUND: Myiasis is defined as invasion of tissues by Diptera flies. The condition is endemic in the forested areas of Mexico, Central and South America. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: A 61-year-old woman presented with two boil-like inflammatory and painful lesions on her back. She had been travelling in Central America. Biopsies revealed a myiasis with mature third instar larvae of Dermatobia hominis, a diptera fly endemic in this region. Complete surgical excision and systemic antibiosis led to a delayed but complete healing. CONCLUSION: We presented a patient with a double infestation by Dermatobia hominis. Dermatologists should be aware of this disease, which has become increasingly common in travellers and is seen now also in unusual regions, other than Central and South America.

Some effects of a topical collagen-based matrix on the microcirculation and wound healing in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers: preliminary observations.

The microcirculation of the wound bed is a key parameter for improving granulation tissue formation and, hence, wound healing. The aim of this study was to determine whether a wound dressing comprising collagen/oxidized regenerated cellulose has effects over a short term on wound healing. Wounds were evaluated using a clinical wound score; pain associated with wounds was measured using a visual analogue scale. Wound microcirculation was evaluated using a technique based on noncontact remission spectroscopy. A prospective trial was performed in 40 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers (mean age 74 years; range, 43-93 years; 25 females and 15 males). Patients in group A were treated with PROMOGRAN Matrix (Johnson& Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ) combined with "good" ulcer care for 2 weeks. Control group B consisted of 10 patients who received only good ulcer care. The authors measured a favorable clinical response in 76.9% (group A) versus 66.7% (group B). The mean reduction of ulcer area was statistically significant in group A (P < .05). The wound score improved in group A from 2.28 +/- 1.24 (before treatment) increasing to 3.72 +/- 1.57 (after 1 week; P < .00023) and 4.92 +/- 1.68 (after 2 weeks; P < .000027). In group B, the score improved from 1.44 +/- 1.33 (before treatment) to 3.22 +/- 1.30 (after 1 week; P < .0077). The mean visual analogue pain score before treatment was 8.72 (group A) and 7.88 (group B) (ns, P > .05). After 1 week of treatment, the score dropped to 5.76 (group A) and 6.66 (group B). In the second week, group A patients had a mean pain score of 3.84 compared with the pain score before treatment (P < .05). After 1 week of treatment, in group A there was a decrease in remission spectroscopy, which is considered to reflect an improvement in microcirculation.