Total Body Photography and Sequential Digital Dermoscopy in Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND: Melanocytic nevi can vary in size and number in pregnant women, and the differential diagnosis with melanoma may be challenging. OBJECTIVES: To describe changes in total body photography of pregnant women and dermoscopy aspects of their nevi. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with 703 melanocytic nevi from 18 women was performed, comparing them in the first and third trimester of pregnancy. Images were analyzed between the 2 periods for changes in dermoscopic aspects. RESULTS: Total body photography images indicated that 44% of patients had new lesions. Regarding the observed changes, there were symmetric or regular changes of the network (23% of cases), occurrence of new globules/dots (12.4%), new vascular structures (3.2%), new streaks (1.7%), and new structureless area (1.0%). Moreover, 55.0% of the nevi increased in size. Enlarging of the nevi was observed mostly on the abdomen (87.1%; P < 0.001) and showed more network changes (27.1%; P = 0.014) and formation of new globules and dots (16.0%; P < 0.001). Patients with a risk of developing melanoma presented more frequently enlarged nevi (45%; P = 0.019). The association between streak formation and skin type was significant (P = 0.012) and was more frequent in skin type II (2.7%), when compared with skin types III (1.3%) and IV (0%). CONCLUSIONS: Development of new melanocytic nevi may occur in pregnant women. The majority of the preexisting melanocytic nevi showed enlarging, and most of them presented with benign dermoscopic changes. The appearance of new streaks is more frequent in fair skin types. Patients with a personal or family history of melanoma in first-degree relatives presented more nevi with changes in size.

Occupational and non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis and quality of life: a prospective study.

Attempted to evaluate and compare the impact on quality of life of occupational and non-occupational ACD and to identify the most frequently involved allergens. A quality of life questionnaire was applied. We noted moderate impact on the quality of life of both groups, without a statistical difference. Our study corroborates previous general data on the prevalence of nickel sulphate and paraphenylenediamine as the most common allergens. Potassium bichromate was shown to be one of the main occupational allergens and thimerosal as the main non-occupational allergen in our sample.

Melanoma cutâneo primário: confirmações e novidades / Primary cutaneous melanoma: confirmations and news

Introdução: O melanoma cutâneo é uma das principais doenças em termos de morbi-mortalidade na Dermatologia. A população do sul do Brasil possui características que a tornam mais propensas a desenvolvê-la. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a frequência e perfil dos pacientes com melanoma cutâneo primário em Centro de Referência em dermatologia do Sistema Único de Saúde em Porto Alegre-RS. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado através de revisão dos prontuários dos pacientes, no período entre julho de 2005 e julho de 2012. Resultados: Foram avaliados 85 pacientes, com média de idade de 53,7 anos. O sexo feminino predominou (64,7%), e 55,4% dos indivíduos pertenciam a outras cidades do Estado. A maior frequência de topografia foi o dorso (31,3%), e o de subtipo mais encontrado foi o espalhamento superficial (59,0%). A média de Breslow foi de 2,1mm, com mediana de 0,9 mm. Verificou-se que 47,4% apresentaram mitoses, 13,0%,ulceração e 40,3%, regressão. O histórico familiar de câncer de pele foi de 16,7%. Da presente amostra, 18% procuraram atendimento por outros motivos que não a lesão de melanoma e 79,8% negavam história pessoal de câncer cutâneo. O melanoma in situ mostrou-se associado à topografia do segmento cefálico, e as lesões invasivas relacionaram-se com dorso e membros inferiores (p<0,05). Conclusão: A análise da amostra corrobora a tendência atual para diagnósticos mais precoces, ainda que a maioria não fora in situ, ou seja, há necessidade para o contínuo estímulo ao diagnóstico precoce. Ressaltamos a importância do exame da pele como rotina na consulta (18% procuraram atendimento por outros motivos)

Introduction: Cutaneous melanoma is a major disease in terms of morbidity and mortality in Dermatology. The population of south Brazil has characteristics that make them more prone to cutaneous melanoma. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency and profile of patients with primary cutaneous melanoma in the Dermatology Reference Center of the Unified Health System in Porto Alegre-RS. Methods: Cross-sectional study based on the medical records of patients from July 2005 to July 2012. Results: We evaluated 85 patients with a mean age of 53.7 years. Females predominated (64.7%), and 55.4% of the subjects were from other cities of the state. The highest frequency of topography was the back (31.3%), and the most common subtype was superficial spreading (59.0%). The Breslow's depth mean was 2.1 mm, with median0.9 mm. It was found that 47.4% had mitosis, 13.0% ulceration and 40.3% regression. Familial history of skin cancer was 16.7%. From this sample, 18% sought treatment for reasons other than melanoma injury, and 79.8% reported no personal history of skin cancer. Melanoma in situ was associated with the topography of the head, and invasive lesions were related to the back and lower limbs (p <0,05). Conclusion: The analysis of the sample confirms the current trend to earlier diagnosis, although the majority was not in situ, i.e., there is a need for continued encouragement to early diagnosis. We emphasize the importance of skin examination as a routine in the consultation (as 18% of patients sought care for other reasons)

Parto, encefalopatia neonatal e paralisia cerebral / Birth, neonatal encephalopathy and cerebral palsy

O conceito fortemente arraigado entre médicos e leigos de que o parto, em especial o trauma de parto, é uma causa frequente de paralisia cerebral na infância como consequência de encefalopatia neonatal, foi estabelecido em meados do século 19, e permaneceu incontestado até os dias atuais. O incremento exponencial das taxas de cesariana não se acompanhou de redução proporcional dos casos de paralisia cerebral na infância. Os autores fazem uma revisão da literatura sobre a patogênese da encefalopatia neonatal e paralisia cerebral e suas relações com o período intraparto.

The expert and no expert concept that birth, especially birth trauma, is a frequent cause of cerebral palsy as a consequence of neonatal encephalopathy, was established in the middle of the 19th century and remained unclallenged until nowadays. The exponential increase at cesarean section rates did not result in a significant decrease of children's cerebral palsy rates. The authors perform a revision of literature about neonatal encephalopathy and cerebral palsy and its relationships with intrapartum events.

Prurido: abordagem inicial e manejo clínico / Pruritus: initial approach and clinical management

Os autores têm como objetivo realizar uma revisão relacionada ao sintoma prurido, abordando sua fisiopatologia, doenças relacionadas, investigação e formas de tratamento.