G. Lorette

A high prevalence of sensitization still persists in leg ulcer patients: a retrospective series of 106 patients tested between 2001 and 2002 and a meta‐analysis of 1975–2003 data

Background  Sensitization to topical treatments used in leg ulcers is common. Questioning and patch testing are used to identify causative drugs or dressings.

Merkel cell polyomavirus strains in patients with merkel cell carcinoma.

We investigated whether Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients in France carry Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and then identified strain variations. All frozen MCC specimens and 45% of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens, but none of the non-MCC neuroendocrine carcinomas specimens, had MCPyV. Strains from France and the United States were similar.

Successful treatment of ulcerated haemangioma with propranolol

Background  Ulceration is a frequent complication of proliferating haemangioma.

Is ultrasound lymph node examination superior to clinical examination in melanoma follow-up? A monocentre cohort study of 373 patients.

Background  There is still lack of consensus regarding the most effective follow‐up for stage I and II melanoma patients although some consensus conferences have provided guidelines stating that clinical examination should be the standard.

Iododerma and acute respiratory distress with leucocytoclastic vasculitis following the intravenous injection of contrast medium

A 72‐year‐old woman with chronic renal failure requiring haemodialysis developed acute ioderma twice, after receiving iodide contrast dye for radiological procedures. Iododerma was localized to the face, scalp and elbows and was associated with papular purpura of the legs. Histopathology of the skin lesions showed acute necrortzing vasculitis. During the second skin eruption the patient developed acute respiratory distress, which was treated with corticosteroids. During the first eruption asymptomatic infiltrates were present on chest X‐ray which disappeared 2 months later. At the present time iododerma seems more frequent in patients with renal failure. Iodides may also be responsible for pulmonary abnormalities, which are sometimes asymptomatic. All these features may be due to leucocytoclastic vasculitis following iodide ingestion.

Inherited palmoplantar keratoderma and sensorineural deafness associated with A7445G point mutation in the mitochondrial genome.

We report a French pedigree with members having an inherited combination of non‐epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (NEPPK) and sensorineural deafness. The penetrance of both features was incomplete. Additional ectodermal defects were absent. The expression of numerous epidermal proteins (keratins, fillagrin, cornified envelope proteins, intercellular junction proteins including connexin 26, and loricrin) defined with immunolabelling was normal in the proband. The combination was shown to be associated with the A7445G point mutation in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA). This mutation is responsible for a subtype of NEPPK which is so far the only mtDNA mutation‐associated keratoderma.

Efficacy and Safety of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors in Vascular Anomalies: A Systematic Review

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are a promising new treatment in vascular anomalies, but no published randomized controlled trials are available. The aim of this systematic review of all reported cases was to assess the efficacy and safety of mTOR inhibitors in all vascular anomalies, except cancers, in children and adults. In November 2014 MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS and EMBASE were searched for studies of mTOR inhibitors in any vascular condition, except for malignant lesions, in humans. Fourteen publications and 9 posters, with data on 25 and 59 patients, respectively, all < 18 years old were included. Of these patients, 35.7% (n = 30) had vascular tumours, and 64.3% (n = 54) had malformations. Sirolimus was the most frequent mTOR inhibitor used (98.8%, n = 83). It was efficient in all cases, at a median time of 2 weeks (95% confidence interval 1-10 weeks). Sirolimus was well tolerated, the main side-effect being mouth sores, which led to treatment withdrawal in one case. The dosage of sirolimus was heterogeneous, the most common being 1.6 mg/m2/day.

Study of cutaneous extensibility in lymphoedema of the lower limbs

We have studied changes in the elasticity and viscosity of the skin in patients with lymphoedema, using a technique involving vertical extensibility by suction. We measured parameters which included immediate extensibility (Ue, which reflects the elastic properties of the skin), and delayed extensibility (Uv which reflects intracutaneous movements of a viscous type).

Prognostic value of antibodies to Merkel cell polyomavirus T antigens and VP1 protein in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the main aetiological agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Serum antibodies against the major MCPyV capsid protein (VP1) are detected in the general population, whereas antibodies against MCPyV oncoproteins (T antigens) have been reported specifically in patients with MCC.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with greater tumor size and poorer outcome in Merkel cell carcinoma patients.

Merkel cell polyomavirus has been recognized to be associated with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), but the evolution of this cancer probably depends on various factors. Vitamin D deficiency, defined by serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels <50 nmol/L, seems to influence cancer behavior and progression, but has never been assessed in MCC patients.