[Characteristics of chronic wounds in substance abuse: A retrospective study of 58 patients].

Background: Drug addiction causes chronic wounds (CW) responsible for severe complications. Very few studies are available on this topic. The aim of our study was to describe the demographic, clinical and etiological characteristics as well as the course of CW in drug addicts.

[Frequency of contact sensitization to modern dressings used to treat chronic leg ulcer].

Introduction: Allergic contact dermatitis around chronic leg ulcers (CLU) is a common complication in patients presenting CLU and prolongs healing times. The aim of this study was to describe the rate of sensitization to modern dressings (MD) used in these patients and to assess whether there is a relation between the number of sensitizations and ulcer type, the time from onset of the ulcer, and patient age and gender.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at Reims University Hospital between 2010 and 2014 that included all patients with CLU of vascular etiology surrounded by eczematous lesions, and who had one of the patch-tests in the following 3 series: European baseline±leg ulcers±corticosteroids.

[Skin pigmentation induced by meropenem and levofloxacin].

Background: Various cutaneous side-effects, including, exanthema, pruritus, urticaria and Lyell or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been reported with meropenem (carbapenem), a rarely-prescribed antibiotic. Levofloxacin (fluoroquinolone), a more frequently prescribed antibiotic, has similar cutaneous side-effects, as well as photosensitivity. We report a case of cutaneous hyperpigmentation induced by meropenem and levofloxacin.

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the leg: A prospective, multicentre, observational study of 36 cases.

Background: Erosive pustular dermatosis of the leg (EPDL) is a poorly understood entity first described by Lanigan and Cotteril in 1987. Its clinical diagnosis is based on exclusion since the physiopathology is unknown. The primary objective of this investigation was to specify the clinical aspects and outcomes in a prospective study.

[Retrospective study of hypertensive leg ulcers at Reims University Hospital: Epidemiological, clinical, disease progression data, effects of vitamin K antagonists].

Background: Hypertensive leg ulcers (HLU) are a form of necrotic leg ulcer. Their physiopathology is not well known and in these patients, no venous or arterial insufficiency is detected. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between HLU severity and the presence or absence of concomitant vitamin K antagonist (VKA) medication.

[Dressings for superficial wounds].

The main dressings for superficial wounds are hydrocolloids, interfaces, greasy dressings, hydrocellular dressings, metalloprotease inhibitors and hyaluronic acid dressings. There are pros and cons specific to each type and their use depends on the particularities of the superficial wounds.

Efficacy and Safety of Methotrexate Combined with Low- to Moderate-Dose Corticosteroids for Severe Alopecia Areata.

Background: In severe alopecia areata (AA), spontaneous recovery is unlikely, and treatment is not standardized.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of methotrexate (MTX) used alone or combined with low- to moderate-dose oral corticosteroids (OC) for treating severe AA (totalis, universalis and severe multifocal).

Methods: Retrospective monocentric study of all consecutive patients receiving this treatment between 2006 and 2012.

[Clinical patterns and treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum in a French department].

Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis for which accurate epidemiological data are limited and therapy remains a challenge. The primary study aim was to examine all cases of PG observed in our regional department over a 15-year period in order to describe the relevant characteristics and outcome under therapy.

Patients And Methods: The medical records of all patients with PG from 1997 to 2012 in the Marne department of France were studied retrospectively.

[Uraemic and non-uraemic calcific arteriopathy: The need for rapid diagnosis and therapy].

Calcific arteriopathy (CA), also commonly known as calciphylaxis, is a disease carrying a poor prognosis. It is seen primarily in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), particularly those on haemodialysis (HD), where it is referred to as uraemic calcific arteriopathy (UCA), but it also occurs outside this setting, in which case it is known as non-uraemic calcific arteriopathy (NUCA). It is caused by thrombotic cutaneous arteriolar microangiopathy associated with fine calcium deposits in the media associated with hyperplasia of the intima of the dermal and hypodermal arterioles.

[Oxygen therapy in wound treatment].

The observation of a device delivering oxygen locally on twelve patients with chronic wounds for which conventional treatments have had little or no effect, aims to assess the benefit of the local use of oxygen on complex wounds. The main benefits observed are the obtaining of high quality tissue formation and a notable reduction in pain. These encouraging initial results merit being backed up by a comparative clinical study.

[Negative pressure therapy in the treatment of leg ulcers].

Leg ulcers are a common pathology. Negative pressure therapy is a second-line treatment which favours granulation and which must be followed by a graft.The main pitfall is the recurrence of ulcers.

Evaluation of two fibrous wound dressings for the management of leg ulcers: results of a European randomised controlled trial (EARTH RCT).

Objective: To evaluate the performance (efficacy, safety and acceptability) of a new micro-adherent absorbent dressing (UrgoClean®) compared with a hydrofiber dressing (Aquacel®) in the local management of venous leg ulcers, in the debridement stage.

Method: A non-inferiority European randomised controlled clinical trial (RCT) was conducted in 37 centres, on patients presenting with venous or predominantly venous, mixed aetiology leg ulcers at their sloughy stage (with more than 70% of the wound bed covered with slough at baseline). Patients were followed over a 6-week period and assessed weekly.

[Managing perilesional pressure ulcers].

The skin of elderly patients is very fragile and dry which impairs its function as a barrier and renders it more exposed to external attacks, perilesional complications around pressure ulcers are often linked to several interrelated mechanisms. These complications require, from the teams, in-depth knowledge of the care protocols.

Efficacy and tolerance of prolonged infliximab treatment of moderate-to-severe forms of hidradenitis suppurativa.

Unlabelled: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic suppurative disease impairing patients' quality of life (QOL). The standard treatment remains extensive surgery; medical treatment is often disappointing.

Objectives: Prolonged infliximab efficacy and tolerance in moderate-to-severe forms of HS were evaluated.

[Compression material].

The compression of a venous ulcer is carried out with the use of bandages, and for less exudative ulcers, with socks, stockings or tights. The system of bandages is complex. Different forms of extension and therefore different types of models exist.

[Diagnosing venous and venous/arterial ulcers].

A venous ulcer can be diagnosed on the basis of elements arising from the questioning and the clinical examination of the patient. A venous Doppler ultrasound can specify the type of reverse flow (superficial and/or deep). Measuring the ankle brachial pressure index helps to eliminate or confirm any arterial involvement.

[Necrotic leg ulcers induced by vitamin K antagonists: five cases].

Background: Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are widely used in thromboembolic diseases. We report five cases of necrotic leg ulcers having a particularly severe course and in which withdrawal of VKA treatment alone enabled healing.

Case Reports: Five patients presented with necrotic leg ulcers clinically evocative of necrotic angiodermatitis or vasculitis.

Treatment of calcinosis cutis by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy.

Background: Calcinosis cutis (CC) encompasses debilitating complications of connective tissue disorders and chronic venous insufficiency. Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is an effective treatment for urolithiasis, pancreatolithiasis, and calcified tendinitis. This study prospectively evaluated ESWL efficacy and tolerance for patients with CC.

[Erosive pustular dermatosis of the legs: retrospective study of 16 cases].

Background: Erosive pustular dermatosis of the leg (EPDL) is a chronic clinical entity comprising combined erosion, pustules and crusts on the legs. There is still some discussion of the independent existence of this condition in the absence of specific diagnostic criteria. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of EPDL based on a series of patients presenting a clinical picture consistent with this diagnosis.

[Efficacy of rituximab in a case of refractory bullous pemphigoid].

Background: The mainstay in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP) is corticosteroids. Immunosuppressive agents might be used for steroid-sparing effect. We report the case of a patient with refractory BP successfully treated with rituximab.

[Juvenile pemphigus vulgaris].

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune blistering disease seen only, rarely, in children.

Case-report: Two young girls, aged four and 15 years respectively, presented with oral and/or cutaneous blisters (case 2). The diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed by histology (suprabasal acantholysis) and immunopathological analysis (direct and indirect immunofluorescence, antidesmoglein-3 plus or minus antidesmoglein-1 antibodies by ELISA).

Long-term survivors in stage IV melanoma: a regional population-based study in France.

We aimed to better characterize exceptional cases of long survivors (LSs) among patients with stage IV melanoma. We performed a comprehensive regional investigation in the Champagne-Ardenne region, France. During the period 1994-2003, 316 patients died of melanoma whereas 10 patients diagnosed with distant metastases had a subsequent survival time > 4 years.

[Tobacco contact dermatitis caused by sensitivity to sorbic acid].

Background: Contact dermatitis caused by tobacco is rare and poorly understood. In this paper, we report what is to our knowledge, the first case of tobacco contact dermatitis with identification of the causative agent.

Patients And Methods: A 46-year-old man was hospitalised for diffuse dermatitis originating in the left leg.

Late lethal hepatitis B virus reactivation after rituximab treatment of low-grade cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.

The chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, is a promising treatment for cutaneous B-cell lymphomas. Classically used in combination with a multiagent-chemotherapy regimen, it can sometimes give excellent results alone. Because of its selective action on B lymphocytes, it is considered a moderate immunosuppressant in terms of infection.