Monika Słowińska

Comma hairs: A dermatoscopic marker for tinea capitis: A rapid diagnostic method

BACKGROUND Dermatoscopy and videodermatoscopy have been used for several years in the diagnosis of skin disorders. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether tinea capitis (TC) shows characteristic videodermatoscopy features that may facilitate its differentiation from alopecia areata (AA). METHODS Two patients with TC caused by Microsporum canis, confirmed by mycological culture and fluorescence under Wood lamp, were examined with videodermatoscopy and results were compared with videodermatoscopy results of 12 patients with AA. RESULTS The distinctive and most prominent feature of TC was presence of commalike structures (comma hairs). These were accompanied by broken and dystrophic hairs. Videodermatoscopy features of AA included exclamation mark hairs, vellus and dystrophic/cadaverized hairs, and yellow dots corresponding to hyperkeratotic hair follicle plugs. LIMITATIONS This study was conducted on two patients, both with M canis infection. CONCLUSIONS Comma hairs were observed as a distinctive videodermatoscopy feature of M canis-induced TC. This finding was not observed in AA, typified generally by exclamation mark hairs.

Trichoscopy in genetic hair shaft abnormalities

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of hair shaft abnormalities is based on light microscopic examination of more than 50 plucked hairs. The aim of this study was to verify whether hair shaft abnormalities may be visualized by trichoscopy (hair and scalp videodermoscopy) and to analyze trichoscopic features of common genetic hair shaft dysplasias. METHOD Patients with known genetic hair shaft disorders were included into the study. Trichoscopy was performed with the use of Fotofinder II videodermoscope. Images performed at 20-fold and 70-fold magnification were analysed. In selected cases 160-fold magnification was used for better visualization of hair shafts. RESULTS Our results show that characteristic light microscopy features of Netherton syndrome, monilethrix, woolly hair syndrome, pili torti, pili annulati and trichothiodystrophy may be visualized by trichoscopy. CONCLUSION Genetic hair shaft abnormalities may be diagnosed by trichoscopy in a single diagnostic session without the need of plucking or cutting them for diagnostic purposes.

Dermoscopic evaluation of nodular melanoma

IMPORTANCE Nodular melanoma (NM) is a rapidly progressing potentially lethal skin tumor for which early diagnosis is critical. OBJECTIVE To determine the dermoscopy features of NM. DESIGN Eighty-three cases of NM, 134 of invasive non-NM, 115 of nodular benign melanocytic tumors, and 135 of nodular nonmelanocytic tumors were scored for dermoscopy features using modified and previously described methods. Lesions were separated into amelanotic/hypomelanotic or pigmented to assess outcomes. SETTING Predominantly hospital-based clinics from 5 continents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratios for features/models for the diagnosis of melanoma. RESULTS Nodular melanoma occurred more frequently as amelanotic/hypomelanotic (37.3%) than did invasive non-NM (7.5%). Pigmented NM had a more frequent (compared with invasive non-NM; in descending order of odds ratio) symmetrical pigmentation pattern (5.8% vs 0.8%), large-diameter vessels, areas of homogeneous blue pigmentation, symmetrical shape, predominant peripheral vessels, blue-white veil, pink color, black color, and milky red/pink areas. Pigmented NM less frequently displayed an atypical broadened network, pigment network or pseudonetwork, multiple blue-gray dots, scarlike depigmentation, irregularly distributed and sized brown dots and globules, tan color, irregularly shaped depigmentation, and irregularly distributed and sized dots and globules of any color. The most important positive correlating features of pigmented NM vs nodular nonmelanoma were peripheral black dots/globules, multiple brown dots, irregular black dots/globules, blue-white veil, homogeneous blue pigmentation, 5 to 6 colors, and black color. A model to classify a lesion as melanocytic gave a high sensitivity (>98.0%) for both nodular pigmented and nonnodular pigmented melanoma but a lower sensitivity for amelanotic/hypomelanotic NM (84%). A method for diagnosing amelanotic/hypomelanotic malignant lesions (including basal cell carcinoma) gave a 93% sensitivity and 70% specificity for NM. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE When a progressively growing, symmetrically patterned melanocytic nodule is identified, NM needs to be excluded.

Hair Shaft Videodermoscopy in Netherton Syndrome

Abstract:  Netherton syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by ichthyosis, atopic manifestations, and hair shaft abnormalities (trichorrhexis invaginata). The diagnosis of Netherton syndrome may be established on the basis of just one abnormal hair, but it is often difficult to find a hair with pathognomonic features on light microscopic examination. Every attempt requires pulling new hairs. We present the case of an 11‐year‐old female patient with Netherton syndrome in whom hair and scalp videodermoscopy (trichoscopy) was used to visualize typical bamboo hairs and hairs with golf tee type endings in the scalp hairs and eyebrows. Trichoscopy is a method, which allows noninvasive viewing of hair shafts in many‐fold magnification without the need of pulling hair for diagnostic purposes. This case shows that trichoscopy may be employed to significantly improve the chance of establishing the diagnosis of Netherton syndrome in patients.

Long-Term Cefuroxime Axetil in Subacute Cutaneous Lupus erythematosus

Background: Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a subset of lupus erythematosus characterized mainly by prominent photoaggravated cutaneous manifestations. Standard therapies for SCLE include topical or systemic steroids and antimalarial drugs. Both methods show limited efficacy in clearing cutaneous lesions and occasionally produce serious side effects. Aim: To assess the efficacy of cefuroxime axetil, an oral cephalosporin with antibacterial and immunosuppressive activity, in patients with SCLE. Methods: Three patients with SCLE were treated with cefuroxime axetil at a daily dose of 500 mg for 30–60 days. Results: In all patients complete clearing of skin lesions was achieved and no side effects were observed. Conclusion: We suggest that long-term cefuroxime axetil administration might be an alternative treatment for patients with SCLE skin lesions.

Alopecia areata developing paralell to improvement of psoriasis during ustekinumab therapy

BACKGROUND Ustekinumab is a new immunosuppressive anti-psoriasis agent. The drug targets the p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23 and indirectly inhibits cytokine production by Th17 cells. MAIN OBSERVATIONS We present a case of a 36-year-old male patient with psoriasis, who received ustekinumab therapy, applied in 45mg subcutaneous injections at week 0, 4 and than every 12 weeks. After 7 months of therapy PASI decreased from 10,1 to 0,9. At this phase of therapy he developed two patches of alopecia areata on the scalp. The diagnosis was made based on clinical appearance and was confirmed by trichoscopy (hair and scalp dermoscopy) and reflectance confocal microscopy. The development of alopecia areata was preceded by emotional stress and dental infection. CONCLUSIONS Ustekinumab seems an unlikely cause of alopecia areata in this patient. However, lack of efficacy is preventing hair loss may indicate that interleukin- 12 cytokine family is not a key player in pathogenesis of alopecia areata.

Melanoma of the oral cavity: pathogenesis, dermoscopy, clinical features, staging and management

Primary mucosal melanoma of the oral cavity is an exceedingly rare neoplasm which is estimated to comprise 1-2% of all oral malignancies. In contrast to cutaneous melanomas, the risk factors and pathogenesis are poorly understood. The predominate localization of primary oral melanoma is hard palate and maxillary alveolus. Dermoscopy may be utilized as an adjunctive tool in the clinical differential diagnosis of oral mucosal melanoma whenever the lesion is accessible with a dermoscope. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, but it may be challenging depending on the location of the tumor within the oral cavity and its size. Adjuvant therapy with dacarbazine, platinum analogs, nitrosoureas and interleukin-2 have been utilized with low response rates. Imatinib may be effective for patients with with c-Kit gene mutations. Sunitinib and dasatinib have been reported effective in selected cases. Vemurafenib and dabrafenib are targeted agents for patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma. Ipilimumab, an anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 antibody and pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting programmed death 1 receptor may be a feasible treatment option in patients with metastatic mucosal melanoma.

The 'PDA nail': traumatic nail dystrophy in habitual users of personal digital assistants.

All-in-one devices with mobile phone, web browser, and organizer are now owned by over 6 million people and their popularity is increasing. These devices are often called personal digital assistants (PDAs) or ‘BlackBerry®’ devices, after a popular brand name of these appliances. The use of PDAs is associated with exposure of distal thumbs and nails to repeated pressure with a frequency of up to a few thousand times per hour and several tens of thousands of times per day.We describe two cases of traumatic thumb nail dystrophy associated with using a PDA keyboard for several hours per day. Both patients developed median nail plate dystrophy after 4–8 months of habitual PDA use. One patient also developed thumb nail psoriasis and paronychia. All symptoms resolved a few months after discontinuing PDA use. Analysis of nail biomechanics, performed by using a finite element fingertip model, showed that maximal stress reaches approximately 3 MPa and appears near the root on the internal surface of the nail, while it reaches approximately 2 MPa and appears around one-third from the root on the outside surface.In conclusion, biomechanical stress resulting from overuse of PDAs may result in various types of nail dystrophy. We suggest the general term ‘PDA nails’ for these nail abnormalities.

Cylindroma transforming into basal cell carcinoma in a patient with Brooke-Spiegler syndrome

BACKGROUND Brooke-Spiegler syndrome is a rare condition with a predisposition to develop cutaneous adnexal neoplasms, especially cylindromas, trichoepitheliomas and spiradenomas. Malignant transformation of cylindromas is rare. In such cases usually cylindrocarcinomas develop within these lesions. We present an unusual case of basal cell carcinoma developing within a preexisting cylindroma. MAIN OBSERVATIONS 58-year-old woman with a 30-year history of multiple dermal cylindromas extensively involving her scalp was referred for dermatological treatment. The patient reported that one of the long-lasting lesions, 5.5 cm in size, ulcerated within the foregoing few weeks. Histopathology confirmed cylindromas and basal cell carcinoma within the ulcerating tumor. Surgical excision of largest cylindroma tumors led to cosmetic and functional improvement. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography showed tumor infiltration into the skull lamina externa. Metastases were excluded by chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound examination. CONCLUSION Patients with Brooke-Spiegler syndrome should be followed-up for malignant transformation of skin tumors to prevent deep penetration and possible metastases.

Hair Follicle Openings: Dots

The term dots refers to hair follicle openings seen from the perspective of a dermoscope. Black dots are residues of pigmented hairs broken or destroyed at scalp level. Yellow dots are follicular infundibula with keratotic material and/or sebum. Fibrotic white dots represent fibrosis in areas of selective follicular destruction. Pinpoint white dots are observed in patients with dark skin phototypes. They correspond to empty hair follicles or to the epidermal portion of eccrine sweat ducts. Red dots have been described in discoid lupus erythematosus. Pink to pink-brown dots are a characteristic finding in the eyebrow area of patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia.