Possible risk factors involved in psychological and emotional stress and depression among forensic medicine workers.

Introduction: Different forms of rationalization are introduced through work, which result from economic, political, and social changes that increase the need for labor force. Within this context, there are institutions that neglect the effects of poor work environments on workers' health, such as the development of work-related mental and psychological disorders. Objectives: To understand what it means to work as an official expert at a forensic medicine institute and investigate occupational and workplace factors that may contribute to emotional and psychological stress and/or depression. Methods: We conducted an exploratory, qualitative study at a forensic medicine institute of a Brazilian capital city. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with study participants, which were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Occupational factors, including physical organization and psychological demand, may generate or contribute to the development of psychological and emotional stress and/or depression in forensic medicine workers. Working conditions are related to the quality and quantitative performance of the worker and influence whether worker productivity meets the demands of those using the services provided by the institute. Conclusions: This study revealed the reality of those working at a forensic medicine institute and identified possible factors that may cause emotional instability, psychological and emotional stress, and/or depression. We identified the need for changes in the workplace and the creation of social policies focused on mental health to minimize occupational illness.

Avaliação clínica e histológica de pacientes com melasma refratário tratadas com laser de érbio: Yag fracionado / Clinical and histological evaluation of patients with refractory melasma treated with fractional Erbium: YAG laser

Introdução: Melasma é hiperpigmentação adquirida que afeta primariamente a face, e acomete mais comumente mulheres de pele escura. Diversas são as terapias utilizadas para seu tratamento; seu manejo clínico a longo prazo, entretanto, permanece um desafio. Objetivos: Avaliar a eficácia do laser de érbio: YAG fracionado, analisar histologicamente as características usuais do melasma e a quantidade de pigmento na epiderme e derme antes e após o tratamento. Métodos: Dez pacientes foram submetidas a três sessões do laser de érbio: YAG fracionado ablativo com intervalo de um mês de uma para outra. As pacientes foram biopsiadas antes e após o tratamento. Foram realizadas avaliações clínicas subjetivas e objetivas, antes, durante e após o tratamento. Resultados: Não foi observada melhora do escore Masi ao longo do tratamento. Histologicamente foram observadas hiperpigmentação da camada basal e deposição de pigmento em derme superficial. Em sete casos observou-se redução no grau de hiperpigmentação da epiderme, sem significância estatística. Conclusões: O tratamento do melasma com o laser de érbio: YAG fracionado ablativo não se mostrou efetivo, apesar de haver tendência a diminuição dos escore Masi e no grau de hiperpigmentação da epiderme, sugerindo que o laser de érbio: YAG pode ser capaz de melhorar tanto clínica quanto histologicamente o grau de hiperpigmentação da pele.

Introduction: Melasma is an acquired hyperpigmentation that affects primarily the face and occurs more frequently in women with darker skin. There are several therapies for treating melasma, however its longterm management remains a challenge. Objectives: To evaluate fractional Erbium:YAG laser's clinical effectiveness in treating refractory melasma through the histological analysis of usual characteristics and the amount of epidermal and dermal pigment before and after treatment. Methods: Ten patients underwent three fractional Erbium:YAG laser sessions at monthly intervals. Biopsies were obtained before and after treatment. Subjective and objective clinical evaluations were carried out before, during, and after treatment. Results: No statistical improvement in Melasma Area Severity Index score was observed during the treatment. Hyperpigmentation of the basal layer and pigment deposition in the dermis was observed histologically. In seven cases, there was a reduction in the degree of hyperpigmentation in the epidermis, which was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The treatment of melasma with fractional Erbium:YAG laser was ineffective. Nonetheless, a decrease in Melasma Area Severity Index scores and in the degree of hyperpigmentation of the epidermis was detected, suggesting that fractional Erbium:YAG laser can clinically and histologically improve the degree of hyperpigmentation of the skin.

Erosive adenomatosis of the nipple.

Erosive adenomatosis of the nipple is a complex benign mammary proliferation that can be misdiagnosed as a malignant mammary neoplasm. The most common clinical presentation includes discharge, erythema, erosion and crusting. The process is usually asymptomatic. It resembles benign conditions such as contact dermatitis, psoriasis and infections, but its main differential diagnosis is Paget's disease. Treatment is usually surgical and the prognosis is excellent.

Adenomatose erosiva do mamilo / Erosive adenomatosis of the nipple

A adenomatose erosiva do mamilo é uma complexa proliferação benigna mamária que pode ser confundida com neoplasias malignas da mama. A apresentação típica cursa com descarga mamária, eritema, erosão e formação de crostas. O processo é geralmente assintomático e de instalação insidiosa. A adenomatose erosiva do mamilo pode ser confundida com condições benignas, como a dermatite de contato, psoríase e infecções, mas seu principal diagnóstico diferencial é a Doença de Paget. O tratamento é cirúrgico e o prognóstico, excelente.

Erosive adenomatosis of the nipple is a complex benign mammary proliferation that can be misdiagnosed as a malignant mammary neoplasm. The most common clinical presentation includes discharge, erythema, erosion and crusting. The process is usually asymptomatic. It resembles benign conditions such as contact dermatitis, psoriasis and infections, but its main differential diagnosis is Paget's disease. Treatment is usually surgical and the prognosis is excellent.