Sharatchandra B Athanikar

Retrospective analysis of Steven Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis over a period of 5 years from northern Karnataka, India

Objective: Cutaneous drug reactions are the most common type of adverse drug reactions. Adverse cutaneous drug reactions form 2-3% of the hospitalized patients. 2% of these are potentially serious. This study aims to detect the drugs commonly implicated in Steven Johnson Syndrome-Toxic Epidermal Necrosis (SJS-TEN). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was done in all patients admitted in the last five years in SDM hospital with the diagnosis of SJS-TEN. Results: A total of 22 patients with SJS-TEN were studied. In 11 patients anti-epileptics was the causal drug and in 7, anti-microbials was the causal drug. Recovery was much faster in case of anti epileptics induced SJS-TEN as compared to that induced by ofloxacin. Conclusion: SJS-TEN induced by ofloxacin has a higher morbidity and mortality compared to anti convulsants.

Fixed drug eruption to fluconazole: A case report and review of literature

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is mainly characterized by skin lesions that recur at the same anatomic sites upon repeated exposures to an offending agent. It represents the most common cutaneous adverse drug reaction pattern in Indian patients. Here, we report an FDE to fluconazole.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus presenting as erythroderma

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a type of lupus erythematosus having distinct characteristic clinical, serologic, and genetic features. Other than the commonly occurring papulosquamous and annular polycyclic lesion, rarely it may present as erythema multiformae, toxic epidermo necrolysis like lesion (Rowell syndrome), erythroderma, and generalized poikiloderma. Herein, we report a case of SCLE presenting as erythroderma.

Lamotrigine induced DRESS syndrome

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare and life-threatening delayed drug hypersensitivity reaction characterized by skin eruption, fever, lymphadenopathies, and visceral involvement. Here, we are presenting a 12 year old boy, who developed rare but life threatening DRESS syndrome due to Lamotrigine. Early detection and treatment led to his rapid recovery. This case is presented to highlight the importance of early detection of rare fatal syndrome.

A clinico-histopathological study of lupus vulgaris: A 3 year experience at a tertiary care centre

Background: Lupus vulgaris is the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis in adults. Lupus vulgaris is caused by hematogenous, lymphatic, or contiguous spread from elsewhere in the body. histologically it is charecterised by typical tubercles with or without caseation, surrounded by epitheloid histiocytes and multinucleate giant cells in the superficial epidermis with prominent peripheral lymphocytes. Materials and Method: All cases of clinically and histopathologicaly diagnosed lupus vulgaris over the previous five years were included in the study. Results: Fourteen cases of lupus vulgaris cases reported during the study period with eaqual incidence among males and females. Discussion: Plaque type of lupus vulgaris was the most common type. Histopathologically tubercular granulomas were seen in all cases as compared to other studies. Conclusion: Different patterns of lupus vulgaris are reported

Clinical and dermatoscopic patterns of alopecia areata: A tertiary care centre experience

Background: Dermatoscopy is a new noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of various skin and hair disorders. Dermatoscopy of alopecia areata (AA) shows various specific features, which may aid in confirming the diagnosis. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the various clinical patterns and the dermatoscopic features of AA. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 patients of AA were evaluated with a dermatoscope (magnification ×25 and ×60). Results: The mean age of onset of AA was 23.58 years. Males were more commonly affected. Scalp was most commonly involved. Patchy alopecia was the most common pattern observed. 10 patients showed concomitant nail changes. The dermatoscopic features included yellow dots (YDs) in 43 (57.33%) patients, black dots (BDs) in 63 (84%) cases, broken hairs (BHs) in 28 (37.33%) cases, short vellus hair (SVH) in 51 (68%) patients and tapering hair (TH) in 14 (18.67%) cases. Conclusion: The most common dermatoscopic finding observed was BDs, followed by SVHs, YDs, BH and TH.

Familial reactive perforating collagenosis: a report of two cases.

Reactive perforating collagenosis (RPC) is a rare form of transepithelial elimination, in which genetically altered collagen is extruded through the epidermis. Of the acquired and inherited form, inherited form is extremely rare. Here, we present two cases of inherited form of RPC in a family.

Livedo reticularis in type 2 lepra reaction: A rare presentation

Type 2 lepra reaction or erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an immune complex syndrome that occurs mostly in lepromatous leprosy and sometimes in borderline lepromatous leprosy patients. We present an untreated case of lepromatous leprosy, who presented with type 2 lepra reaction and livedo reticularis. Livedo reticularis, though seen in lucio phenomenon, is not a part of type 2 lepra reaction. The case is being reported for its rarity.

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa: A report of two cases.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) pruriginosa is a very rare pattern of dystrophic EB caused by type VII collagen gene mutation, with distinctive clinico-pathological features. It is characterized by nodular prurigo-like lichenified lesions, nail dystrophy, and variable presence of albopapuloid lesions. We report two such cases.

Pellagra in a child–A rare entity

This case has been presented as pellagra, which is very rare in children. Pellagra is due dietary deficiency of niacin. Usually seen in alcoholics, malabsorption syndromes occur very rarely in children. A 11-y-old girl presented with well-defined, hyperpigmented, hyperkeratotic, symmetrical, thick scaly plaques surrounded by erythema on the dorsum of the hands, arms, feet, legs up to knees, and along the sides of the neck. The child was given 100 mg of Nicotinamide. Skin lesions resolved rapidly with the treatment and the child improved.