Multiple Epidermal Cysts of the Scalp: Dermatosurgical Approach with Favourable Outcome!

BACKGROUND: Epidermal cysts are subcutaneous tissue formations that are most commonly located in the area of scalp, trunk and face. In addition to single ones, the cysts may also be multiple, located near each other. Although they are considered to be a cystic ectasia of the hair infundibulum and mainly affect hairy parts, they can also be seen in the area of palms and feet as a result of trauma. Rare extracutaneous localisations are also described in the medical literature, affecting the oral cavity, intraosseous, cerebrum and sublingual epidermoid cyst. Although the majority of epidermal cysts are benign, a malignant transformation may also occur in the direction of development of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma or Merkel cell carcinoma. Clinically, they are presented as benign lesions, and only histological examination may reveal their malignant potential. Therefore, their surgical removal and subsequent histology are of paramount importance for the elucidation of their origin. CASE PRESENTATION: An 88-year old patient was hospitalized for surgical removal of two tumorous formations in the head area which have been available for many years. During the dermatological examination in the frontal and parietal area of the head, the presence of two oval pink cystic neoplasms, clinically suspected for epidermal cysts, was found. The lesion located in the frontal area was removed by elliptical excision. The resulting surgical defect was closed by undermining the wound edges and mobilisation of the released skin to the middle of the defect, as the latter being closed by single interrupted sutures. In the second surgical session, the lesion located in the parietal region of the head was also removed under local anaesthesia. A so-called island flap was performed in which the tumour formation was removed by oval excision followed by contouring a triangle in the distal direction and transposition of the undermined triangle to the oval surgical defect. The resulting defect was recovered by single interrupted sutures. CONCLUSION: First-line treatment of epidermal cysts is surgical excision, and it is important to remove the cyst wall to minimise the risk of relapses and recurrence. Other treatment options include laser therapy with CO2, erbium-YAG laser or intralesional drainage injection of triamcinolone acetonide.

High-Risk BCC Of the Lower Eyelid in Patient with Presternal Located Cutaneous Melanoma and BCC Of the Shoulder: Melolabial Advancement Flap Combined with Undermining Surgical Approach As Promising Complex One Step Treatment Option!

BACKGROUND: It is assumed that the occurrence of keratinocyte and melanocytic tumours is multifactorial driven. Certain risk factors such as solar radiation, p53 protein and Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) prove to be common to their development, which at the same time shows that their simultaneous manifestation in the same patients, for example, is quite possible. Such a manifestation could be observed as collision tumours within the same solitary lesion or as a simultaneous occurrence within two completely different lesions that are clearly distinguished from one another. CASE REPORT: An 85-year-old patient is presented with three primary cutaneous tumours located in region presternal, infraorbital sinistra and scapularis extra. The lesions were removed during a single surgical session. For the high-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the lower eyelid, the so-called melolabial advancement flap was applied, and for the tumours located in the other two areas, the undermining surgical approach was applied. The subsequent histological analysis found that the case referred to two keratinocyte tumours (BCC) and one melanocyte tumour (cutaneous melanoma). CONCLUSIONS: The patient presented is interesting with regard to 1) the simultaneous presentation of three primaries with different localization (so far not described in the world literature, namely 2 basal cell carcinomas and one melanoma in the same patient concurrently), 2) one of the basal cell tumours belongs to the group of high-risk (according to the localization) and meanwhile advanced BCC (according to the infiltration degree of the underlying tissue-infiltration of the musculature) and 3) their simultaneous successful surgical treatment in a single surgical session under local anaesthesia.

Schizophrenia as Potential Trigger for Melanoma Development and Progression! The Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine-Oncology (P.N.E.O) Network!

BACKGROUND: Skin, nervous tissue, dopamine and melanoma share a common neuroectodermal origin. Hence, processes that modulate nervous tissue formation, patient mental status, motor regulation of individuals, and skin cancerogenesis are inextricably linked. Psycho-neuro-endocrine oncology (or dermato-oncology), i.e. P.N.E.O., is a new model or trend in medicine and science presented for the first time in the world literature by us, that aims to examine the relationship between the mental state, the hormones and the malignant transformation. Schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease are the two main patterns of disease where the main symptoms are related to dopamine levels in the human body. According to our analyses of the available literature, the amount of dopamine is related to the incidence of melanocytic or non-melanocytic cutaneous tumours in patients with central nervous system diseases and those affecting the motor function and coordination. Such patterns of interaction are extremely indicative of the elucidation of the ubiquitous hypothesis or statement: "My illness is on a mental basis, caused by stress …". CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 44-year-old patient with untreated schizophrenia for approximately 25 years, associated with advanced acral localised melanoma. Schizophrenia is generally associated with a higher level of dopamine, which is also a key precursor to melanin synthesis. After a careful analysis of all literature on melanoma in patients with 1) treated and untreated schizophrenia, 2) those with untreated and untreated forms of Parkinson's disease, it would be logical to conclude that the high level of dopamine in the described patient groups is a risk factor for the development of melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: The possible mechanisms for the occurrence of malignant melanoma within the so-called psycho/neuro/endocrine oncology (P.N.E.O.), as well as the effective methods of prevention, are under discussion.

Nevus Blue as a Sporadic Finding in a Patient with a Blue Toe?

BACKGROUND: Blue nevus is an interesting finding, which aetiology and risk of locoregional and distant metastasis have not yet been fully clarified. It may be inherited or acquired, with sporadic cases usually presented as solitary lesions. It is often localised in the area of the head and less often on the arms, legs or trunk. Blue nevi are formations with relatively low but still possible potential for switching to melanoma. CASE REPORT: The patient we described was hospitalised for pronounced cyanosis of the small toe of the right foot, accompanied by painful symptoms at rest and pain symptoms for a few weeks. Using inpatient paraclinical and instrumental tests, the patient was diagnosed with cholesterol microembolism. During the dermatological examination, blue nevus on the contralaterally localised limb was also diagnosed as a sporadic finding. According to the patient's medical history, the finding had existed for many years, but in the last few months, the patient has observed growth and progression in the peripheral zone of the nevus without any additional clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION: Due to the risk of progression to melanoma, the lesion was removed by radical excision, and the defect was closed by tissue advancement flap.

Pretibial Located Stewart-Treves Syndrome: Uncommon Presentation in a Bulgarian Patient!

BACKGROUND: The Stewart-Treves syndrome with localisation in the region of the lower extremities is not something unusual as clinical pathology, but the clinical diagnostics is rather difficult, and it can be further complicated maximally because of: the similar locoregional findings in patients with other cutaneous malignancies. CASE REPORT: Presented is a rare form of an epithelioid variant of the Stewart Treves syndrome in a woman, aged 81, localised in the region of the lower leg and significantly advanced only for 2 months. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. Amputation of the affected extremity was planned. Discussed are important etiopathogenetic aspects regarding the approach in patients with lymphedema and possibility for development of the Stewart Treves syndrome. CONCLUSION: Analyzing the evidence from the literature worldwide, we concluded that perhaps the only reliable (to some extent) therapeutic option in patients with Stewart Treves Syndrome is 1) the early diagnostics and 2) the following inevitable radical excision or amputation with the maximal field of surgical security in the proximal direction.

Subungual Exostosis in a Young Soccer Player.

BACKGROUND: Subungual exostosis is a relatively uncommon, benign osteocartilaginous tumor of the distal phalanx of the toes or fingers in young adults, considered as a rare variant of osteochondroma. Differential diagnoses include subungual verruca (viral wart), pyogenic granuloma, osteochondroma, amelanotic subungual melanoma and glomus tumour. Misdiagnosis and total onychodystrophy frequently occur as a result of late treatment or inadequate treatment strategy. Dermoscopy could be a useful technique, involved in the diagnostic process, although X-ray examination and histopathology are mandatory for the diagnosis. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of subungual exostosis of the great toe associated with repeated trauma of the nail bed. The lack of radiographic and histopathological examination could lead to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. Although completely benign, subungual exostosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of nail bed tumors in young adults, in order to avoid associated complications and unneeded aggressive surgical interventions. CONCLUSION: Complete excision of the lesion and delicate separation from the underlying nail bed structures results in total resolve of the problem, by providing the lowest risk of recurrences.

Another Case of Interdigital Located "Metastasing Hematoma"?

Interdigital spaces could be an area of affection of a various cutaneous conditions, most of them with benign origin. The spectrum of differential diagnosis of pigmented interdigital lesions with a recent occurrence is not so wide, in contrast. When considering pigmented lesions in the interdigital area, the most harmless differential diagnosis is a traumatic hematoma. But what would happen if we based our therapeutic behaviour or suspicious and unconfirmed harmless diagnosis, instead of considering the real life-threatening once with priority, if we kept in mind that acral lentiginous melanoma has rather an aggressive course and is the main cause of death in skin cancer patients? We present a case of misdiagnosed interdigital melanoma, treated as a hemangioma with curettage, with almost fatal consequences, in regard to uncontrolled tumor progression as a result of the wrong traumatic procedure in one hand, and the lack of adequate screening and follow up, leading to progress of the disease with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in general. We want to emphasise the importance of acral lentiginous melanoma with an unusual location in the differential diagnostic plan because, despite the early detection, early eradication with simple excision could save a life, or at least could provide a better prognosis.

A Patient with Multiple Keratinocytic Cancers (MKC): Uncommon Presentation in a Bulgarian Patient.

Keratinocyte skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are the most common cancer occurring in people with fair skin, worldwide. Despite all known triggers, several suggested contributors are still investigated. We will focus our attention on the personal history of previous cancers and radiation exposure as occupational risk factors, as in the presented case. We report a patient, with multiple BCCs, and subsequent occurrence of a SCC on photo-exposed area of the face, as we want to emphasize the importance of strict following up of these patients, regarding the risk for developing new tumors in short periods of time, no matter if the triggering exposure factor is known from the history, or not. Although keratinocytes tumours are associated with the low mortality rate, we focus the attention on the fact, that the history of non-melanoma skin cancer is associated with increased mortality.

Seborrheic Pemphigus, Antigen Mimicry and the Subsequent-Wrong Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach?

It is well-established that drugs could be leading cause of occurrence of numerous diseases, including pemphigus, being either inducer or triggering factor of the autoimmunity. Despite medications, it should be kept in mind that chronic or acute infections are also capable of being a trigger in various types of cutaneous eruptions, including pemphigus. The rapidly obtained and uncompleted history for accompanied medication leads to general mistakes in the subsequent treatment approach, as the first step in such cases is discontinuation of the drug-inductor. The absence of this information guaranties the fail of the treatment. On the other hand, the lack of performed screening for chronic or acute hepatitis and tuberculosis is not the only mistake, regarding the high dosage of immunosuppressors that have been planned as regiment and the possible fatal effect on the infection's spread or exacerbation, but also because of the possible triggering ability of chronic or acute infection, which may play also a key role in the generation of antigen- or molecular- mimicry, as a potential source of antibodies reactive with various tissue antigens. It turns out that although the diagnosis of pemphigus in regular cases is usually not a challenge, the treatment occasionally could be, just because of a simple pitfall in anamnesis and screening, as in the presented case. Herein, we present a case of a patient with seborrheic pemphigus, which is strongly demonstrative for these statements, as we want to emphasise the importance of the first and the most powerful clinician's weapons - the patient's history and thorough examination.

Violet - Colored Inguinal Located Cutaneous Tumour?

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) represents an aggressive CD30 - positive T cell lymphoma, as it is the second most common T cell lymphoma and 2% to 5% of all non - Hodgkin lymphomas. The cutaneous involvement can be primary or secondary within systemic ALCL, resembling inflammatory and other neoplastic lesions both clinically and cytologically. Various pigmented cutaneous tumours with a different origin, cutaneous metastasis and B-cell lymphoma must be carefully considered in the differential diagnostic plan. While simple surgical excision is usually curative, with good prognosis, systemic involvement must also be excluded. We present a case of a patient, with clinically unspecific single violet nodular lesion, as the only clinical manifestation of ALCL. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically, as the surgical excision was enough therapeutic management, regarding the early disease stage. Further following up with the patient is mandatory, because of the high recurrence rate. We want to emphasise the diversity of clinical manifestation of ALCL, regarding the importance of its early diagnosis and treatment.

Small Dysplastic Congenital Melanocytic Nevi in Childhood as Possible Melanoma Imitators.

Small pigmented lesions in children can represent a significant diagnostic challenge. If the diagnostic features and therapeutic approach are relatively well established in large and giant nevi, there is still much controversy regarding small and intermediate-sized congenital pigmented lesions that can lead to significant diagnostic challenges, both clinically and dermoscopically, and consequently to difficulty in defining the optimal approach in such cases. Although dermoscopy can be useful in the diagnosis of pigmented lesions, the diversity of clinical and dermoscopic features of pigmented nevi in children usually hinder the differentiation between them and melanoma. Histological findings after resection often show surprising results that do not correspond either to the clinical nor the dermoscopic features. With the present case, we want to emphasise the variable natural behaviour of melanocytic lesions in children, which sometimes leads to unnecessary surgical excisions, which should be avoided in pediatric patients.