Direct immunofluorescence demystified: Essential insights and recent advances for dermatologists.

Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is widely used in dermatopathology for the diagnosis of autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs), cutaneous vasculitis, and connective tissue disorders. Although it is easy and useful to perform, it needs technical expertise and experience for proper interpretation. The yield of DIF depends on multiple factors including the adequacy, transportation, storage, processing, and interpretation of the biopsy specimen.

Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis, a rare entity at uncommon site.

Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC), rare disorder characterized by transepidermal elimination (TEE) of collagen fibers, is seen in adult diabetics. Genetic predisposition, familial aggregation, trauma, bites and scratching are implicated. Diabetics develop microvascular diseases leading to intense pruritus causing repeated micro trauma leading to necrosis of connective tissue of dermis, causing TEE.

Lymphangiomas: Rare presentations in oral cavity and scrotum in pediatric age group.

The incidence of lymphangioma is 1.2 to 2.8/1000 newborns.

A descriptive study of facial acanthosis nigricans and its association with body mass index, waist circumference and insulin resistance using HOMA2 IR.

Introduction: The term facial acanthosis nigricans (FAN) lacks definition of precise clinical and histopathological features. We present a descriptive study of patients with FAN to define pigmentary patterns and estimate the prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance in these cases.

Materials And Methods: It is a prospective study that included all patients with classical AN of the neck and/or other areas with facial acanthosis nigricans described as brown-to-black macular pigmentation with blurred ill-defined margins, found on the zygomatic and malar areas.

Vitiligo in Children: A Birds Eye View.

Vitiligo in children is a distinct subset of vitiligo and differs from adult vitiligo. Characteristic features include family history of autoimmune or endocrine disease, higher incidence of segmental vitiligo, development of early or premature graying, increased incidence of autoantibodies and poor response to topical PUVA. The exact prevalence of vitiligo in children varies between 0.

"Childhood Vitiligo".

Vitiligo in children is a distinct subset of vitiligo and differs from adult vitiligo. Characteristic features include family history of autoimmune or endocrine disease, higher incidence of segmental vitiligo , development of early or premature graying, increased incidence of autoantibodies and poor response to topical PUVA. The exact prevalence of vitiligo in children varies between 0.

Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit.

The introduction of topical steroids (TS) of varying potency have rendered the therapy of inflammatory cutaneous disorders more effective and less time-consuming. However the usefulness of these has become a double edged sword with constantly rising instances of abuse and misuse leading to serious local, systemic and psychological side effects. These side effects occur more with TS of higher potency and on particular areas of the body like face and genitalia.

An approach to acanthosis nigricans.

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is characterized by dark, coarse and thickened skin with a velvety texture, being symmetrically distributed on the neck, the axillae, antecubital and popliteal fossae, and groin folds, histopathologically characterized by papillomatosis and hyperkeratosis of the skin. A high prevalence of AN has been observed recently. Different varieties of AN include benign, obesity associated, syndromic, malignant, acral, unilateral, medication-induced and mixed AN.

Trichosporon inkin and Trichosporon mucoides as unusual causes of white piedra of scalp hair.

White piedra of scalp hair is considered a rare entity. We report three cases of this disorder all of whom presented with nodules on the hair. Potassium hydroxide preparations of the hair revealed clustered arthrospores and mature, easily detachable nodules.

Current trends in congenital syphilis.

In many parts of the world particularly sub-Saharan Africa, congenital syphilis is a significant public health problem. Though it is rare in most affluent countries there has been a slight resurgence recently in several European countries. The diagnosis of suspected cases and management of congenital syphilis may be confusing and the potential for severe disability is high when cases are missed.

Systemic sclerosis: current concepts in pathogenesis and therapeutic aspects of dermatological manifestations.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, multisystem connective tissue disease with protean clinical manifestations. Recent advances in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms have led to development of target-oriented and vasomodulatory drugs which play a pivotal role in treating various dermatological manifestations. An exhaustive literature search was done using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library to review the recent concepts regarding pathogenesis and evidence-based treatment of salient dermatological manifestations.

Keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum at an unusual site.

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a rapidly evolving tumor, composed of keratinizing squamous cells originating in pilosebaceous follicles and resolving spontaneously if left untreated. It is relatively uncommon in dark-skinned and occurs in middle aged individuals. Males are three times more affected than females.

Comparative assessment of the efficacy and safety of sertaconazole (2%) cream versus terbinafine cream (1%) versus luliconazole (1%) cream in patients with dermatophytoses: a pilot study.

Background: Sertaconazole is a new, broad spectrum, fungicidal and fungistatic imidazole with added antipruritic and anti-inflammatory activity that would provide greater symptomatic relief and hence would be beneficial in improving the quality of life for the patient with dermatophytoses.

Aims And Objectives: To compare efficacy and safety of sertaconazole, terbinafine and luliconazole in patients with dermatophytoses.

Materials And Methods: 83 patients with tinea corporis and tinea cruris infections were enrolled in this multicentre, randomized, open label parallel study.

Blastomycosis-like pyoderma.

A 9-year-old female, presented with recurrent bilaterally symmetrically distributed flesh colored vegetative plaques, papules and nodules on trunk and upper and lower extremities since 15 days. Investigations revealed anemia, hypoproteinemia, decreased albumin and positive D-xylose test. Pus swab and biopsy for culture sensitivity showed Enterococci species.

Giant lobulated seborrheic keratosis at an unusual site.

Seborrheic Keratoses(SK) are common benign skin tumors of elderly occurring commonly on face, scalp, extremities, chest, back with genital and perianal sites being rare. Lesions are usually few millimeters to several centimeters, reaching pendulous proportions in areas of constant friction, especially in obese individuals. Though malignant transformation is rare, it is reported in irritated lesions, especially in flexures.