Orbital Cellulitis in a Psoriatic Patient Treated With Adalimumab.

Introduction: Psoriatic patients on tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) may be at increased risk for upper respiratory tract infections, including chronic rhino-sinusitis (CRS). Rarely, CRS can progress to orbital cellulitis (OC), an emergent ophthalmic complication wherein respiratory flora from paranasal sinus disease intrude the retro-orbital space.

Materials And Methods: Single case report.

Relationship between radiation therapy and bullous pemphigoid.

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease.

Objective: To review the literature on radiation therapy (RT)-associated BP.

Methods: A review of the English language literature on patients who developed BP during and up to 10 years post RT was performed.

Carcinosarcoma: a primary cutaneous tumor with biphasic differentiation.

We present a case of a primary cutaneous carcinosarcoma (PCS). Histopathologically, PCS is defined as a biphasic tumor composed of malignant epithelial (carcinoma) and mesenchymal (sarcoma) elements. The diagnosis of PCS can be challenging, not only because of its rarity but also because superficial biopsies can result in sampling errors.

Treatment of split-thickness skin graft-related forearm scar contractures with a carbon dioxide laser protocol: 3 case reports.

Split-thickness skin grafts in the forearm can lead to motion restriction and disability through the dense scarring of the skin and formation of graft-tendon adhesions. Three patients were referred for laser treatment of motion-limiting scar-associated split-thickness skin grafts to the forearm. All patients had reached a plateau in range of motion despite aggressive hand therapy and underwent serial laser scar treatments at 6- to 8-week intervals.

Rapid healing of scar-associated chronic wounds after ablative fractional resurfacing.

Background: Skin compromised by traumatic scars and contractures can manifest decreased resistance to shearing and other forces, while increased tension and skin fragility contribute to chronic erosions and ulcerations. Chronic wounds possess inflammatory mediator profiles and other characteristics, such as the presence of biofilms, that can inhibit healing.

Observations: Three patients with multiple traumatic scars related to blast injuries initiated a course of ablative fractional laser therapy for potential mitigation of contractures, poor pliability, and textural irregularity.

Functional improvements in traumatic scars and scar contractures using an ablative fractional laser protocol.

Background: Reports describing the use of ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) for cosmetic improvements in skin dyschromia, rhytides, and textural irregularities are becoming increasingly common in the literature. However, the is little mention of its functional impact on patients with traumatic scars and scar contractures. We present our experience treating scars with AFR, highlighting four illustrative cases and providing a review on possible mechanisms.

Delayed autoimmune hemolytic anemia in efalizumab-treated psoriasis.

Efalizumab, a humanized anti-CD11a monoclonal antibody, has been shown to treat plaque psoriasis. A known association between this drug and autoimmune thrombocytopenia has already been established. More recently publicized, however, is efalizumab's ability to affect another cell line--that of the erythrocyte--and cause an autoimmune hemolytic anemia that typically occurs 4 to 6 months after initiating therapy.

Use of a long-pulse alexandrite laser in the treatment of superficial pigmented lesions.

Background/objective: Although the alexandrite 755-nm-wavelength laser is effective in the treatment of unwanted hair, there are no published studies gauging the efficacy of the variable long-pulse alexandrite laser in the treatment of superficial pigmented lesions.

Study Design/methods: Eighteen patients underwent a single treatment session using a variable pulse-width alexandrite laser. Test sites were performed using a 10-mm spot size and up to four pulse widths (3, 20, 40, 60 ms) with and without epidermal cooling.

Atypical cutaneous myeloid infiltrate in myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report.

We report the case of a 31-year-old man with an atypical myeloid dermal infiltrate manifested by a 1.5-year history of recurrent erythematous plaques over his body that previously were shown to be culture positive for Staphylococcus aureus and had responded well to oral antibiotic treatment. The ultimate diagnosis was refractory anemia with excess blasts-2 (RAEB-2), a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).