Comment on Topical Dapsone for Folliculitis Decalvans.

Folliculitis decalvans (FD) represents a chronic and recurrent pustulofollicular scalp inflammation resulting in scarring alopecia. The presence of a bacterial bioflilm at the interface of the hair shaft may provide an explanation for the chronicity and high relapse rate of FD, even after prolonged systemic antibiotic treatments. We originally read with enthusiasm Melián-Olivera et al.'s retrospective study of patients with FD treated with topical dapsone published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. However, we experienced an unsuccessful trial of 5% dapsone gel in a patient with FD resulting in worsening of the disease with a pustular flareup and questioned why positive study reports with novel therapeutic options in dermatology often fail in practice. The authors admitted the limitations of their study: small sample size, retrospective, uncontrolled nature of the study, and concomitant use of other treatments. Clinical research ultimately aims at improving the patient outcome. For this purpose, trials must evaluate the outcomes that genuinely reflect the clinical utility of drugs. Therefore, we postulate stricter criteria for treatment trials and statistics in dermatology before publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals to avoid frustrations of physicians and patients alike.

Alopecic and Aseptic Nodules of the Scalp: A New Entity or a Minor Form of Dissecting Cellulitis?

Since the original report in 1992 and revised nomenclature in 2009, pseudocysts of the scalp and alopecic and aseptic nodules of the scalp (AANS), respectively, have been regarded as a new entity that is rare and not understood in its pathogenesis. We observed 26 cases of AANS. Except for the extent and severity of disease, we found no single feature that justifies distinguishing AANS as a nosologic entity in its own right from dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS). The scarring alopecias represent a diverse group of disorders with the potential of permanent destruction of the pilosebaceous unit and hair loss. Within the maze of varied conditions leading to scarring alopecia, the most important is to keep a neat nosologic classification in mind, based both on morphology and a pathogenic understanding. We believe that AANS represents a minor form of DCS, so far predominantly observed in patients of non-African origin, and therefore, is a disease of follicular occlusion with a favorable prognosis.

Microagulhamento do couro cabeludo como terapia complementar no tratamento da alopecia de padrão feminino / Scalp microneedling as a complementary therapy for female pattern hair loss

A alopecia de padrão feminino figura dentre as queixas mais frequentes no consultório dermatológico e afeta até 50% das mulheres no climatério e na pós-menopausa. Apesar da existência de múltiplas terapias hoje disponíveis, algumas pacientes mostram-se refratárias aos tratamentos convencionais, sendo necessária a associação de tratamentos de segunda linha para a obtenção de bons resultados estéticos. Este trabalho ilustra as vantagens do microagulhamento nesse cenário por meio do relato de uma paciente de 48 anos de idade que não apresentou boa resposta clínica à associação do minoxidil tópico e à finasterida oral.

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is one of the most frequent complaints in dermatological practice. It affects up to 50% of climacteric and postmenopausal women. Despite multiple therapies available nowadays, some patients are refractory to conventional treatments, requiring the association of second-line therapies to obtain good aesthetic results. This paper aims to show the advantages of microneedling of the scalp for such cases by reporting the case of a 48-years-old patient who failed to the association of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride therapy

Trichodynia Revisited.

Trichodynia refers to the painful sensation of the scalp related to the complaint of hair loss. Originally suggested to be distinguishing for telogen effluvium and related to hair loss activity and follicular inflammation, further studies have found trichodynia to be common in androgenetic alopecia as well and coexisting with psychopathologic findings. The respective studies failed to demonstrate correlations between trichodynia and quantifiable hair loss activity, nor histopathologic evidence for follicular inflammation. A symptomatic scalp is a frequent condition in specific dermatological conditions of the scalp. By definition of exclusion, we are not dealing with trichodynia in these cases. It is conceivable that neuropeptides are key players between the central nervous system and the skin immune and microvascular system. Such mechanisms would explain the noxious effects of both external stimuli and emotional distress in eliciting cutaneous nociception. Since we have begun to understand the diverse etiologies of trichodynia, and a single term does not measure up to this circumstance, it may be wiser to describe the condition depending on the type of scalp sensation and its specific disease association. Further studies are warranted into the neural/endothelial/follicular interactions both in hair growth and shedding and the psychosomatic diseases of the hair and scalp.

Study of skin neoplasms in a university hospital: integration of anatomopathological records and its interface with the literature.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is a highly prevalent condition with a multifactorial etiology resulting from genetic alterations, environmental and lifestyle factors. In Brazil, among all malignant tumors, skin cancers have the highest incidences. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the incidence, prevalence and profile of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma in Campos dos Goytacazes and region. METHODS: In total, 2,207 histopathological reports of a local reference hospital were analyzed between January 2013 and December 2015, of which 306 corresponded to the neoplasms studied. RESULTS: Of the 306 reports evaluated, 232 basal cell carcinomas (75.9%), 55 squamous cell carcinomas (18%) and 19 cutaneous melanomas (6.5%) were identified. The face was the most involved anatomical site (58.8%) and women (51%) were the most affected gender. The temporal analysis revealed a decrease in the overall incidence of 3.4% from 2013 to 2014 and 5.4% from 2014 to 2015. There was a 10.1% increase in basal cell carcinomas and 38% in melanomas in this period; however, there was a decrease in the number of squamous cell carcinomas of 14.8% during the studied years. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Some samples of cutaneous fragments had no identification of the anatomical site of origin. CONCLUSION: Research that generates statistical data on cutaneous tumors produces epidemiological tools useful in the identification of risk groups and allows the adoption of more targeted and efficient future prevention measures.

Study of skin neoplasms in a university hospital: integration of anatomopathological records and its interface with the literature

Abstract: Background: Skin cancer is a highly prevalent condition with a multifactorial etiology resulting from genetic alterations, environmental and lifestyle factors. In Brazil, among all malignant tumors, skin cancers have the highest incidences. Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the incidence, prevalence and profile of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma in Campos dos Goytacazes and region. Methods: In total, 2,207 histopathological reports of a local reference hospital were analyzed between January 2013 and December 2015, of which 306 corresponded to the neoplasms studied. Results: Of the 306 reports evaluated, 232 basal cell carcinomas (75.9%), 55 squamous cell carcinomas (18%) and 19 cutaneous melanomas (6.5%) were identified. The face was the most involved anatomical site (58.8%) and women (51%) were the most affected gender. The temporal analysis revealed a decrease in the overall incidence of 3.4% from 2013 to 2014 and 5.4% from 2014 to 2015. There was a 10.1% increase in basal cell carcinomas and 38% in melanomas in this period; however, there was a decrease in the number of squamous cell carcinomas of 14.8% during the studied years. Study limitations: Some samples of cutaneous fragments had no identification of the anatomical site of origin. Conclusion: Research that generates statistical data on cutaneous tumors produces epidemiological tools useful in the identification of risk groups and allows the adoption of more targeted and efficient future prevention measures.

Dermatite perioral granulomatosa com acometimento extrafacial na infância: boa resposta terapêutica com uso de azitromicina oral / Granulomatous perioral dermatitis with extra-facial involvement in childhood: good therapeutic response with oral azithromycin

RESUMO Objetivo: Apresentar um caso de dermatite perioral granulomatosa (DPG) com acometimento extrafacial e resposta terapêutica satisfatória ao uso de macrolídeo oral por curto período. Descrição do caso: Escolar de nove anos, sexo feminino, com quadro exuberante de DPG com acometimento extrafacial. Durante o período de evolução, submeteu-se a múltiplas terapêuticas ineficazes, apresentando melhora significativa das lesões após o uso de azitromicina por cinco dias. Comentários: A DPG é uma afecção dermatológica inflamatória representada por erupções papuloeritematosas em região perioral, nasal e periorbitária, mais comum em crianças e adolescentes. Raramente estende-se à região genital, ao tronco e às extremidades, caracterizando o comprometimento extrafacial. De etiologia ainda desconhecida, parece apresentar correlação com uso de corticosteroides tópicos e outros agentes.

ABSTRACT Objective: To present a case of granulomatous perioral dermatitis (GPD) with extra-facial involvement and good response to short-term treatment with oral macrolide. Case description: A 9-year-old girl presented with exuberant GPD with extra-facial involvement. During follow-up, she received multiple ineffective therapies, but showed significant improvement of the lesions after the use of azithromycin for five days. Comments: GPD is an inflammatory dermatological condition represented by papulo-erythematous eruptions on perioral, nasal and periorbital regions, more prevalent in children and adolescents. It rarely extends to the genital region, trunk, and extremities, which characterizes its extra-facial manifestation. Its etiology is unknown, but it seems to have a correlation with the use of topical corticosteroids and other agents.