Alceu Luiz Camargo Villela Berbert

Carcinoma basocelular - Análise de 300 casos observados em Uberlândia - MG

BACKGROUND: Basal cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and represents 75% of malignant epithelial tumors. It usually occurs on the face of white individuals aged over 40 years, with history of repetitive exposure to sunlight OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological data, clinical presentation and histopathological findings of 300 patients with basal cell carcinoma. CASUISTIC: A cross-sectional study of 300 patients with Basal cell Carcinoma seen at the outpatient Dermatology clinic from 1999 to 2003. Information was obtained on identification, exposure to sunlight and characterization of Basal cell Carcinoma. RESULTS: The pathological examinations confirmed the clinical diagnoses of 447 tumor lesions of 300 patients. Most patients were female (59.3%), white (93%), had exposure to sunlight (90.3%), with a single lesion (74%), involving predominantly the face (77% of the lesions). The most frequent pathological type was nodular carcinoma (46.3% of the lesions) and the superficial type predominated on the trunk. CONCLUSIONS: There was a predominance of female patients showing the current tendency of Basal cell Carcinoma. The presence of several successive or simultaneous tumors in the same patient emphasizes the importance of periodical exams in these patients. No exact correlation between exact clinical and pathological findings was established. The superficial type was confirmed as more frequent on the trunk.

Corno cutâneo: estudo histopatológico retrospectivo de 222 casos

FUNDAMENTOS: O corno cutâneo e lesao acentuadamente hiperqueratotica, conica e circunscrita, que pode ocultar tanto lesoes benignas como malignas. OBJETIVO: Identificar histopatologicamente as principais dermatoses que se apresentam clinicamente como corno cutâneo. METODOS: Estudo histopatologico retrospectivo de 222 cornos cutâneos, a partir de laudos anatomopatologicos do Hospital de Clinicas de Uberlândia entre os anos de 1990 e 2006. RESULTADOS: A media de idade dos pacientes foi de 67,42 anos. O sexo feminino foi mais acometido (64,86%). O tempo medio de evolucao foi de 16,92 meses. As localizacoes mais frequentes das lesoes foram: cabeca (35,14%) e membros superiores (31,08%). Observaram-se lesoes histopatologicamente benignas em 41,44% e lesoes premalignas ou malignas em 58,56% dos cornos cutâneos estudados. Entre as lesoes pre-malignas, a queratose actinica foi encontrada em 83,84% dos casos; entre as malignas, o carcinoma espinocelular correspondeu a 93,75% dos casos. CONCLUSOES: Este estudo mostrou que a maioria dos cornos cutâneos surgiu sobre areas do corpo expostas a luz solar, predominantemente, cabeca e membros superiores. Considerando-se a elevada frequencia de lesoes premalignas e tambem a presenca de lesoes malignas, sugere-se exerese cirurgica seguida de estudo histopatologico dos cornos cutâneos, para confirmacao de diagnostico especifico.BACKGROUND Cutaneous horn is a keratotic, conical and circumscribed lesion that can hide both benign or malignant lesions. OBJECTIVE To identify,from a histopathological point of view, the main clinical dermatoses that are presented ,from a clinical point of view, as cutaneous horn. METHODS RETROSPECTIVE HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF 222 CASES OF CUTANEOUS HORNS THAT WERE CLASSIFIED AS SUCH BY ANATOMICAL-PATHOLOGICAL REPORTS OF THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (HOSPITAL DE CLINICAS DE UBERLANDIA) FROM 1990 TO 2006. RESULTS The average age of patients was 67,42. The female sex was more affected (64,86%). The average time of clinical evolution was 16,92 months. Lesions were mostly frequent located on the head (35,14%) and upper limbs (31,08%). Histopathological analysis considered 41,44 % of the lesions as benign and 58,56% as pre-malignant or malignant among the 222 cases of cutaneous horns studied. Within the group of pre-malignant lesions, actinic keratosis was found in 83,84% of the cases; within the group of malignant lesions, squamous cell carcinoma was found in 93,75% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the majority of cutaneosus horns occured in areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, predominantly head and upper limbs. Considering the high frequency of pre-malignant lesions and also the presence of malignant lesions it is suggested surgical exeresis followed by histopathological study of the cutaneous horns for confirmation of specific diagnosis.

Lúpus eritematoso cutâneo: aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais

Lupus erythematosus is a connective tissue autoimmune disorder that demonstrates systemic, cutaneous, or both systemic and cutaneous manifestations. Cutaneous lesions are classified as specific and nonspecific. The variety of clinical manifestations of the disease is reflected in the broad spectrum of laboratory patterns. In this article we describe the distinct subsets of cutaneous lupus erythematosus, correlating them with histopathological, direct immunofluorescence and serological findings.

Dermatoses em pacientes com AIDS: estudo de 55 casos. Uberlândia, MG, Brasil

UNLABELLED Fifty-five patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) seen at the Dermatology outpatient clinic and who had mucocutaneous diseases were studied. These diseases, some of them opportunistic, are common but difficult to diagnose given the atypical features of the lesions. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency and clinical presentation of dermatoses related to Aids seen at the Dermatology outpatient clinic. METHODS Fifty-five patients with Aids and mucocutaneous lesions were examined from 1995 to 1997 in a cross-sectional study carried out at the Dermatology outpatient clinic of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Biopsies and cultures were undertaken for laboratory diagnosis. RESULTS One hundred sixteen dermatoses were diagnosed. Fungal infections (78%) were the commonest among them, followed by viral infections (40%), papulosquamous disorders (27%), papular eruptions (18%), adverse drug reactions (10%), tumors (9%) and a variety of others (7%). The majority of the patients (67%) had more than one type of skin disorder. CONCLUSIONS In agreement with previous literature data fungal and viral infections were confirmed as the most frequent skin disorders in HIV-positive patients. Dermatological examination, laboratory tests and skin biopsy for histopathological study are necessary for appropriate diagnostic investigation of HIV-related mucocutaneous diseases considering that atypical presentation occurs in a large proportion of the patients.Fifty-five patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) seen at the Dermatology outpatient clinic and who had mucocutaneous diseases were studied. These diseases, some of them opportunistic, are common but difficult to diagnose given the atypical features of the lesions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency and clinical presentation of dermatoses related to Aids seen at the Dermatology outpatient clinic. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with Aids and mucocutaneous lesions were examined from 1995 to 1997 in a cross-sectional study carried out at the Dermatology outpatient clinic of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Biopsies and cultures were undertaken for laboratory diagnosis. RESULTS: One hundred sixteen dermatoses were diagnosed. Fungal infections (78%) were the commonest among them, followed by viral infections (40%), papulosquamous disorders (27%), papular eruptions (18%), adverse drug reactions (10 %), tumors (9%) and a variety of others (7%). The majority of the patients (67%) had more than one type of skin disorder. CONCLUSIONS: In agreement with previous literature data fungal and viral infections were confirmed as the most frequent skin disorders in HIV-positive patients. Dermatological examination, laboratory tests and skin biopsy for histopathological study are necessary for appropriate diagnostic investigation of HIV-related mucocutaneous diseases considering that atypical presentation occurs in a large proportion of the patients.

Pioderma granulomatoso superficial: relato de caso de variante rara do pioderma gangrenoso

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare idiopathic skin disease. It affects mainly adults, and only 4% of the cases are diagnosed on children and adolescents. There are four clinical forms of pyoderma gangrenosum: ulcerative, pustular, bullous, and vegetative (superficial granulomatous pyoderma). Superficial granulomatous pyoderma is considered the most benign and uncommon form of the disease. Patients who have undergone surgical procedures may occasionally present pyoderma gangrenosum manifestations on the surgical site. A case of a five-year-old child, victim of burn, who presented superficial granulomatous pyoderma on the skin graft donor sites is reported.

Histological and serological evidence of experimental paracoccidioidomycosis in Calomys callosus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

The responses of animal experimental models related to the infectivity, virulence and pathogenicity of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is constantly used to develop new perspectives of investigation. The rodent Calomys callosus, Rengger 1830 (Rodentia: Cricetidae) is an indigenous inhabitant of the savannah environment found in the central regions of Brazil. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the histopathological and serological features of C. callosus after inoculation with the Pb18 strain of P. brasiliensis. Furthermore, A/Sn and B10.A mice strains were also tested to compare the results obtained in C. callosus to these well‐established experimental models of resistance and susceptibility respectively. In every instance, survival analysis was performed, and histopathological study of the lungs, liver and spleen was employed to investigate tissue involvement, degree of inflammation and fungal presence. Levels of antibodies to P. brasiliensis were measured by using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay after 4 weeks and at the advanced stage of infection. The mortality rate was proportional to inoculation dose in all groups, but overall it was much superior in C. callosus than in the B10.A‐susceptible mice. Macroscopical and microscopical pathological alterations were also more extensive and remarkable for C. callosus, once again proportional to inoculation dose, but more noticeable differences among the studied groups were found with 0.6 × 105 inoculum. In addition, the serological profile of C. callosus was similar to that found for B10.A‐susceptible mice. Infection of C. callosus with 0.6 × 108 Pb18 inoculum resulted in more serious illness, and it decreased in severity in proportion to the inoculum dose. This difference was more pronounced in C. callosus, and the clinical, serological and pathological findings in this animal were more intense and precocious compared with the B10.A‐susceptible mice. The present results suggest that C. callosus is a potentially alternative experimental animal model for paracoccidioidomycosis infection.

Relationship of Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence with the occurrence and severity of psoriasis

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints and has a multifactorial etiology. Recently, it has been suggested that Helicobacter pylori infection may contribute as a trigger for the development of the disease. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity in patients with psoriasis and to evaluate the relation between disease severity and H. pylori infection. METHODS H. pylori infection was assessed in psoriatic patients and controls by using H. pylori IgG quantitative enzyme immunoassay (ELISA test). The patients were classified according to the severity of the disease (PASI score). RESULTS One hundred and twenty six patients with psoriasis (73 females and 53 males); mean age 50.48 years; 65 patients (51.59%) had severe psoriasis, 40 (31.75%) moderate psoriasis and 21 (16.67%) mild psoriasis. Twenty one healthy volunteers included as a control group, mean age of 41.05 years, 13 females and 8 males. One hundred and eleven patients with psoriasis tested serologically, 80 (72.07%) were seropositive compared with 7 positive volunteers (33.33%; P=0.002). Forty-nine (75.38%) patients with severe psoriasis were positive, 25 (62.50%) with moderate psoriasis were positive and 6 (28.57%) with mild psoriasis were positive (P=0.045). Study limitations: none. CONCLUSIONS H. pylori infection influences the development of psoriasis and severity of the disease.

Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum of the Skin with Involvement of the Oral Cavity

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited multisystemic disease of elastic fibers that primarily affects the skin and retina. A case of primary PXE of the skin with late involvement of the upper lip is reported. A 55-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of PXE affecting her skin developed a lesion on her lower lip. An oral examination identified a yellowish macule of undefined limits. A biopsy from her lip was taken and both light and transmission electron microscopies confirmed the presence of fragmented elastic fibers and calcifications on her mucosa, which was compatible with the diagnosis of oral PXE. Since the manifestation of oral PXE is rare in this region, dental practitioners must be aware that this systemic condition may produce oral lesions, which sometimes may mimic other benign diseases of the oral cavity like Fordyce granules. So, the establishment of an appropriate diagnosis is necessary to provide adequate information and attention to the patient.

Sarcoidose cutânea sobre cicatrizes: relato de caso

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown origin, in which non-caseating granulomas (small inflammatory nodules) are found in the affected organs. Cutaneous involvement occurs in 25% of cases with a wide range of clinical presentation. The onset of scars is unsual although clinically characteristic of cutaneous sarcoidosis. Most patients with scar sarcoidosis have a systemic disease. It is reported the case of a 65 year-old woman that developed scar nodules 20 years after she had had surgical procedures without systemic manifestations. It is worth mentioning the importance of investigating sarcoidosis with inflammatory alterations in praevia scars.

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans: case report

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans is a rare disease, with genetic transmission either X-linked or sporadic, characterized by follicular hyperkeratosis and cicatricial alopecia. The disease usually begins in early childhood exacerbating throughout adolescence. The therapies are somewhat effective, with frustrating treatment when there are changes which are predominantly cicatricial. It is reported a case of child with intense cicatricial alopecia, with precocious changes (already present at birth) that rapidly evolved to diffuse cicatricial alopecia on the scalp, which has limited the treatment, with disappointing results.