Incidence of and Risk Factors for Cutaneous Scarring after Herpes Zoster.

Background: About 20% of children have cutaneous scars following chickenpox. In contrast, skin scars are not often reported after herpes zoster (HZ). Risk factors for post-HZ scarring remain undetermined.

Pachyderma in Primary Cutaneous NK and T-Cell Lymphoma and Leukemia Cutis.

Background: Pachyderma is defined as severely thickened skin with deep folds and is occasionally observed with primary cutaneous NK and T-cell lymphoma (pCNKTCL), primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (pCBCL), and leukemia cutis (LC).

Aim: To describe the clinical, histological, and therapeutic particularities of a series of pCNKTCL, pCBCL, and LC patients with pachyderma.

Results: In a series of pCNKTCL ( = 70), pCBCL ( = 12), and LC ( = 2) patients followed up during 9 years, 6 cases of pachyderma were observed.

Melanoma masquerading as nonmelanocytic lesions.

Increased awareness among dermatologists as well as the development of dermoscopy and sequential dermoscopy have contributed significantly toward an increase in the diagnostic accuracy of pigmented melanoma and even of amelanotic melanoma. However, the dermatologist's nightmare is the small group of melanomas that present as common skin diseases, often associated with a significant delay in diagnosis and hence a poor prognosis. The study was carried out to prospectively assess the number of melanomas lacking any clinical suspicion of melanoma and to describe their clinical and histological features over a 6-year observation period in an University Tertiary Skin Cancer Center.

Non-dermatophyte Dermatoses Mimicking Dermatophytoses in Humans.

Human dermatophytic cutaneous infections usually present as single or multiple slowly progressing annular erythemato-squamous lesions with a tendency to central healing on the hairless skin. In the intertriginous regions (feet, inguinal, axillar, submammary), dermatophytic colonisations and infections manifest as whitish, slightly hyperkeratotic, pruritic and sometimes fissurated lesions. On the scalp, dermatophytic infections commonly lead to single or multiple more or less inflammatory and alopecic lesions.

[Rosacea].

Rosacea is a common centro-facial dermatosis with a high socio-esthetic impact. Different subtypes are distinguished, classified into grades according to their severity. This classification is essential for therapeutic management.

Satellite lesions accompanying herpes zoster: a new prognostic sign for high-risk zoster.

Background: The incidence, clinical relevance and pathogenesis of single, isolated, varicella-like skin lesions occurring far beyond the primary herpes zoster (HZ)-affected dermatome remain unclear.

Objectives: To search prospectively for these satellite lesions in 120 patients with HZ and to correlate their presence with a series of clinical, histological and virological data.

Methods: Relevant clinical data were recorded from 109 patients with proven HZ using immunohistochemistry on Tzanck smears.

Recurrent in situ melanoma successfully treated with ingenol mebutate.

Background: Treatment options for melanoma in situ (MIS) include imiquimod, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, excisional and Mohs surgery. Ingenol mebutate is a new topical treatment option recognized for actinic keratosis. Although in vitro effectiveness has been demonstrated on melanoma cell lines, its therapeutic potential for in vivo melanomas is unknown.

Hair loss after varicella zoster virus infection.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) cutaneous infection occurs predominantly in epidermal and infundibular keratinocytes and accessorily in dermal dendritic cells. These latter cells play a role in cicatricial processes. Two patients are presented with localized alopecia after VZV infection.

Viral infections of the pubis.

There are no demographic data published on those with viral infections of the pubis (VIPs). We conducted a two-year prospective study to collect demographic information on patients with VIPs. Data were gathered on age, sex, diagnosis, low (≤10) or high (>10) lesion number, symptoms, how the patient discovered the lesions, localization, lesions beyond the pubis, risk factors, shaving habits, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status and treatment.

Photodynamic therapy for multi-resistant cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare group of proliferative disorders. Beside cutaneous involvement, other internal organs can be affected. The treatment of cutaneous lesions is difficult and relies on topical corticosteroids, carmustine, nitrogen mustard, and photochemotherapy.

Congenital infantile digital fibromatosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Infantile digital fibromatosis (IDF) is a rare benign fibroproliferative tumor of early childhood. IDF preferentially affects the fingers and the toes. Malignant transformation or metastases have never been reported.

Corynebacterium-associated skin infections.

Background: Corynebacterium spp. are diphtheroid bacteria responsible for pitted keratolysis, a common plantar infection confined to the thick stratum corneum.

Aim: To study a series of demographic features of patients suffering from pitted keratolysis, and to present a review of the Corynebacterium-associated infections, including pitted keratolysis, erythrasma, and trichobacteriosis.

Oral antifungal-exacerbated inflammatory flare-up reactions of dermatomycosis : case reports and review of the literature.

Inflammatory flare-up reactions of some dermatomycoses, particularly those caused by zoophilic fungi, are typical and potentially severe adverse effects following the intake of some oral antifungals. However, this condition has not previously been reported with the most frequently used antifungals in dermatology, namely fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine. In this report, we describe five patients, observed over a 10-year period, who presented with inflammatory exacerbations following oral antifungal therapy for dermatomycoses.

Photodynamic therapy and imiquimod immunotherapy for basal cell carcinomas.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and topical imiquimod immunotherapy (TII) are two recently introduced treatment modalities for certain types of basal cell carcinomas (BCC). We present a review of the relevant literature and report our own findings regarding the efficacy and tolerance of PDT and TII in the treatment of BCCs. According to published studies, the cure rates range from 75-95% for PDT and 42-100% for TII, depending on treatment modalities and BCC type.

Cutaneous adverse reactions following anti-infective vaccinations.

Although widely administered, anti-infective vaccinations are rarely responsible for cutaneous adverse effects. In this context, hepatitis B and bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccines are the most frequently incriminated products. Cutaneous adverse effects are less frequently encountered following administration of vaccines against varicella, diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (primary and booster doses), measles, poliomyelitis, rubella, pneumococcus, tick-borne encephalitis, smallpox, Meningococcus and influenza.

Skin cancer screening campaign in the German speaking Community of Belgium.

The incidence of primary malignant melanoma (MM) and skin carcinomas, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is progressively raising. As long as their diagnosis and therapeutic managements are initiated early, their prognosis remains favorable. This underlines the importance of early recognition of skin cancers.

Revisiting childhood herpes zoster.

Herpes zoster is rare in otherwise healthy children, but it is more common in association with immunosuppression. Maternal varicella infection during pregnancy and varicella occurring in the newborn represent risk factors for childhood herpes zoster. However, some controversies persist about risk factors, diagnosis, and the natural history of childhood disease.

[Relativity of the management of skin cancers. A plea for synergy between general practitioners and the dermatologist-oncologist].

The clinical diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous cancers represent a frequent situation in cancerology. About one third of all human cancers take their origin from the skin. The general practitioner and the dermatologist-oncologist play the key role in that field of health care.

[Cutaneous melanomas, a spectrum of emerging cancers in women of Wallonia. Outlook by the Mosan Study Group of Pigmented Neoplasms].

The Mosan Study Group of Pigmented Neoplasms was founded about 15 years ago. It has collected more than 20,000 cutaneous malignancies including melanomas and basal and squamous cell carcinomas. The incidence of these cancers is on the rise in Wallonia.

Breaking the relentless course of Hallopeau's acrodermatitis by dapsone.

We report the case of a 74-year-old man who suffered for four years from recurrent generalized pustular eruptions associated with acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH). Initial therapy using topical corticosteroids, tars and PUVA failed to improve the acral lesions. The disease was also unresponsive to systemic therapy using corticosteroids, methotrexate, etretinate, acitretine and cyclosporin A.

Subclinical skin stiffening in adults suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus. A comparison with Raynaud's syndrome.

Acral skin of patients suffering from either type 1 diabetes mellitus or Raynaud's syndrome may become stiffer than normal. Such changes have not yet been thoroughly assessed using biometrological methods. The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of skin in these two conditions.

Dermo-epidermal stimulation elicited by a beta-lipohydroxyacid: a comparison with salicylic acid and all-trans-retinoic acid.

Although ageing has been thought to be irreversible, studies made during the last decade have shown that a few topical compounds may limit or improve the age-related skin damages. The efficacy of tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) in treating photoageing is well established. Identifying other compounds with similar effect and improved tolerance would be greatly valued.

Naevocyte triggering by recombinant human growth hormone.

The influence of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I on human melanocytes is being increasingly recognized. Clinical evidence has shown that when recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) is administered to children of short stature, the growth of melanocytic naevi is boosted. This study was conducted on 56 hGH-triggered naevi and nine similar lesions excised before or after hGH therapy for hypopituitarism and Turner's syndrome.