Laurence Imhof

Severe Sweet's Syndrome with Elevated Cutaneous Interleukin-1β after Azathioprine Exposure: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Sweets syndrome (SS) is a dermatosis with systemic symptoms characterized by tender, red nodules or papules, occasionally covered with vesicles, pustules or bullae, usually affecting the upper limbs, face and neck. SS is frequently observed in patients with leukemia or connective tissue diseases, while it is rather seldom in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The exact pathogenesis of SS is only partially understood. We report the case of a 50-year-old patient with indeterminate colitis, presenting with a febrile diffuse papulopustular and necrotizing skin eruption that healed with significant scarring and appeared 14 days after onset of treatment with azathioprine. Histological examination revealed the presence of features typical of SS, gene expression analysis very high levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA in lesional skin, and immunohistochemistry high levels of IL-1β at the protein level. SS associated with azathioprine is being increasingly reported and is reviewed herein.

The antibacterial substance, taurolidine in the second/third-line treatment of very advanced stage IV melanoma including brain metastases: results of a phase 2, open-label study.

The efficacy and tolerability of taurolidine, an antibacterial substance, was evaluated in a phase 2 trial enrolling patients with advanced melanoma. The treatment schedule consisted of daily taurolidine (20 g) administered intravenously for 5 days per week for 3 consecutive weeks followed by 1 week of rest. One cycle comprised of 28 days. A maximum of six cycles could be administered. Sixteen patients were assessable for tumor response, seven of whom had brain metastases. Three patients (18.8%) achieved disease stabilization, including a patient with a primary mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity who had a marked locoregional response with disease stabilization of the distant metastases. Thirteen patients had disease progression. Median overall survival was 46±1 days. Adverse events were moderate and mainly gastrointestinal. Treatment with taurolidine has no activity in patients with advanced melanoma.

Facial Blaschkitis: Case and Review

We report on a 15-year-old female with a 3-month history of a pruritic, erythematous cutaneous eruption on the right cheek and perioral area. The lesion had a linear distribution following the lines of Blaschko. Histopathological findings and direct immunofluorescence were compatible with chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE). Treatment with topical steroids and systemic antimalarial agents over 2 months showed hardly any improvement contrary to similar cases reported in the literature in the past. Histological findings move this case close to LE. However, the unusual clinical presentation as well as the resistance to antimalarial drugs do not fully allow to confirm this suspicion. Therefore, we recommend to call this new entity LE-like facial Blaschkitis of the adult.

A Prospective Trial Comparing Q-Switched Ruby Laser and a Triple Combination Skin-Lightening Cream in the Treatment of Solar Lentigines

BACKGROUND Quality-switched (QS) laser therapy is a safe and well-established treatment option for removing solar lentigines. Triple combination therapy (TCT) with the active pharmaceutical ingredients hydroquinone 5%, tretinoin 0.03%, and dexamethasone 0.03% is often used for skin-lightening. OBJECTIVE This prospective, open-label trial compares the efficacy and safety of a QS Ruby laser (QSRL) and a TCT in the treatment of solar lentigines. METHODS In total, 15 patients with symmetrically distributed solar lentigines on the back of both hands were included. The lesions on the back of the right hand were treated in one or 2 sessions with a QSRL, the ones on the back of the left hand with a TCT for 7 weeks accompanied by UV protection. Clinical results were evaluated 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 20 weeks after baseline. RESULTS Treatment with QSRL provided significant lightening (p = .01) compared with TCT. Both procedures were generally well-tolerated. Comparing the side effects, the laser produced significantly more crusting and hyperpigmentation than the TCT. CONCLUSION Both QSRL and TCT were capable in reducing solar lentigines in Fitzpatrick skin Type I to IV with an acceptable side effect profile. The QSRL provides faster, superior, and long lasting lightening compared with TCT.

Successful Use of Grenz Rays for Disseminated Superficial Actinic Porokeratosis: Report of 8 Cases

Background: Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is a rare keratinization disorder with potential malignant transformation, for which present treatment strategies show limited success. Aim: To evaluate the response of DSAP lesions to grenz ray radiotherapy (RTx). Methods: Data of patients treated with RTx at University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, between 2004 and 2015, were reviewed. Patients with DSAP, who received at least 1 RTx treatment session and who had been followed up for at least 4 weeks were included in the further data analysis. Results: The study cohort consisted of 8 patients with a median age of 73 years (range 54-84). All were treated with grenz rays for DSAP. Most (7/8) patients showed complete clinical clearing of the lesions. All patients experienced temporary side effects of RTx, which resolved within 4 weeks after the last irradiation. Conclusion: We suggest radiotherapy with grenz rays as a treatment option for DSAP.

Contents Vol. 230, 2015

G. Argenziano, Reggio Emilia M. Augustin, Hamburg W.H. Boehncke, Geneva L. Borradori, Bern R.P. Braun, Zurich R. Cerio, London L. Cerroni, Graz O. Chosidow, Créteil A. Dupuy, Rennes J.W. Fluhr, Berlin L. French, Zurich F. Furukawa, Wakayama M. Gilliet, Lausanne A.K. Gupta, London, Ont. R. Happle, Freiburg R.J. Hay, London P. Itin, Basel G. Kaya, Geneva R.G.B. Langley, Halifax, N.S. J.M. Mascaro, Jr., Barcelona K. Matsunaga, Nagoya L. Naldi, Bergamo F. Nestle, London C. Paul, Toulouse T. Shiohara, Tokyo T. Simonart, Brussels H.P. Soyer, Brisbane, Qld. L. Thomas, Lyon R.M. Trüeb, Wallisellen T.J. Yoon, Jinju C.C. Zouboulis, Dessau International Advisory Board