Sonia Segura

Dermoscopy Improves Accuracy of Primary Care Physicians to Triage Lesions Suggestive of Skin Cancer

PURPOSE Primary care physicians (PCPs) constitute an appropriate target for new interventions and educational campaigns designed to increase skin cancer screening and prevention. The aim of this randomized study was to determine whether the adjunct of dermoscopy to the standard clinical examination improves the accuracy of PCPs to triage lesions suggestive of skin cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS PCPs in Barcelona, Spain, and Naples, Italy, were given a 1-day training course in skin cancer detection and dermoscopic evaluation, and were randomly assigned to the dermoscopy evaluation arm or naked-eye evaluation arm. During a 16-month period, 73 physicians evaluated 2,522 patients with skin lesions who attended their clinics and scored individual lesions as benign or suggestive of skin cancer. All patients were re-evaluated by expert dermatologists at clinics for pigmented lesions. Referral accuracy of both PCP groups was calculated by their scores, which were compared to those tabulated for dermatologists. RESULTS Referral sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 54.1%, 71.3%, 11.3%, and 95.8%, respectively, in the naked-eye arm, and 79.2%, 71.8%, 16.1%, and 98.1%, respectively, in the dermoscopy arm. Significant differences were found in terms of sensitivity and negative predictive value (P = .002 and P = .004, respectively). Histopathologic examination of equivocal lesions revealed 23 malignant skin tumors missed by PCPs performing naked-eye observation and only six by PCPs using dermoscopy (P = .002). CONCLUSION The use of dermoscopy improves the ability of PCPs to triage lesions suggestive of skin cancer without increasing the number of unnecessary expert consultations.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopic and Histopathologic Correlations of Dermoscopic Features in 202 Melanocytic Lesions

OBJECTIVES To identify in vivo microscopic substrates of the dermoscopic patterns of melanocytic lesions and to correlate them with histopathologic features. DESIGN Before excision, lesion areas that showed characteristic dermoscopic patterns were imaged by dermoscopy and confocal microscopy and directly correlated with histopathologic features. SETTING Departments of Dermatology of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Hospital Clínico of Barcelona, between July 2006 and March 2007. Patients Patients with 202 melanocytic lesions, corresponding to 76 melanomas, 114 nevi, and 12 Spitz or Reed nevi. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Correlation of dermoscopic patterns in melanocytic lesions with confocal microscopic findings and conventional histopathologic findings. RESULTS Characteristic architectural and cytologic substrates were identified in vivo with the use of confocal microscopy and correlated with histopathologic features. Pigment network atypia was evidenced through confocal microscopy as a disarrangement of dermoepidermal junction architecture and cellular atypia. Pigmented globules consisted of cell clusters, corresponding to melanocytic nests identified on histopathologic analysis. Black dots correlated with intraepidermal reflective spots or with large pagetoid cells in nevi and melanoma, respectively. Blue structures usually consisted of numerous pleomorphic cells, corresponding to malignant melanocytes and inflammatory cells in melanomas, whereas plump bright cells, corresponding to melanophages on histopathologic analysis, characterized benign lesions. Within regression, a retiform distribution of collagen fibers, which sometimes intermingled with melanophages and rarely with nucleated cells, was observable. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge of the cytologic and architectural aspects of the different dermoscopic patterns, as they appear by in vivo confocal microscopy, may guide the user to the identification of specific substrates in melanocytic lesions and consequently the interpretation of the dermoscopic features.

Development of a two-step method for the diagnosis of melanoma by reflectance confocal microscopy

BACKGROUND Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been shown to improve accuracy in the differentiation of nevus from melanoma, but only a few studies have evaluated both melanocytic lesions (ML) and non-ML. OBJECTIVE We sought to develop an algorithm for the in vivo diagnosis of skin tumors by RCM. METHODS In 143 patients we evaluated 154 skin tumors (100 melanocytic, 54 nonmelanocytic) by RCM before their excision. We analyzed RCM features on stored images and performed univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the association of RCM features with tumor types. RESULTS Four confocal features differentiated ML from non-ML: cobblestone pattern of epidermal layers, pagetoid spread, mesh appearance of the dermoepidermal junction, and the presence of dermal nests. Within ML, the presence of roundish suprabasal cells and atypical nucleated cells in the dermis was associated with melanoma, and the presence of edged papillae and typical basal cells was associated with nevi. Based on the correlation of RCM features with dermatoscopy and histology, we developed a two-step algorithm for the diagnosis of skin tumors by RCM. LIMITATIONS This is a preliminary study, and the results must be validated in further studies with a larger number of cases. CONCLUSION RCM appears to be helpful in improving the presurgical diagnosis of difficult skin tumors.

Intralymphatic histiocytosis. A clinicopathologic study of 16 cases.

Intralymphatic histiocytosis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of dilated lymphatic vessels containing aggregates of mononuclear histiocytes (macrophages) within their lumina. The phenomenon seems to occur almost exclusively within the reticular dermis. Although its pathogenesis remains uncertain, there has been speculation about the possible relationship between intralymphatic histiocytosis and intravascular reactive angioendotheliomatosis. In addition, several examples historically have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. We describe our experience with 16 cases of intralymphatic histiocytosis. Clinically, the lesions were located predominantly on the upper and lower limbs, and they consisted of asymptomatic and poorly demarcated erythematous plaques and livedo reticularis-like lesions. They were characterized histopathologically by dilated vascular structures involving the reticular dermis. Some of these dilated vessels had empty lumina, whereas others contained variable number of mononuclear histiocytes. An inflammatory response of variable intensity from case to case was also present in the adjacent dermis. The dilated vessels exhibited thin walls with irregular shapes, and a single discontinuous layer of flat endothelial cells lined their lumina. Immunohistochemically, the endothelial cells lining the dilated lumina expressed immunoreactivity for CD31, CD34, podoplanin, D2-40, Lyve-1, and Prox-1, which confirmed their nature as lymphatic endothelial cells. Intralymphatic mononuclear histiocytes expressed CD68 (PGM1), although some cases also had variable immunoexpression for myeloperoxidase, CD31, and podoplanin. In the 4 cases that employed double immunohistochemistry, with podoplanin + CD68 (PGM1) or with Lyve-1 + CD68 (PGM1), each marker highlighted their specific target cells unequivocally; the endothelial cells expressed podoplanin or Lyve-1 immunoreactivity, and intralymphatic histiocytes showed CD68 (PGM1) immunoexpression. Our findings expand on the previously described morphologic and immunohistochemical features of intravascular histiocytosis. We also discuss the possible relationship between intralymphatic histiocytosis and the so-called reactive intravascular angioendotheliomatosis.

In Vivo Microscopic Features of Nodular Melanomas Dermoscopy, Confocal Microscopy, and Histopathologic Correlates

OBJECTIVE To characterize nodular melanoma (NM) using dermoscopy, in vivo reflectance-mode confocal microscopy, and histopathologic analysis. DESIGN Consecutive pure NMs and superficial spreading melanomas (SSMs) with nodular or blue areas were studied using dermoscopy and confocal microscopy, and a correlation with histopathologic findings was performed. MATERIALS Ten NMs, 10 SSMs with a nodular area, and 10 SSMs with a blue palpable but not yet nodular area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Confocal differences within the nodular component between pure NMs and SSMs with a nodular area, hypothesizing different biological behaviors. RESULTS Whereas NMs had predominantly nonspecific global dermoscopic patterns, SSMs exhibited a multicomponent pattern and higher dermoscopic scores. Globules, blue-white veil, atypical vessels, and structureless areas were frequent in NMs and in nodular areas from SSMs. At confocal microscopy, NMs exhibited few pagetoid cells within a typical epidermal architecture in the superficial layers in most cases, differing from SSMs frequently characterized by epidermal disarrangement and pagetoid infiltration. At the dermoepidermal junction, dermal papillae were rarely seen in nodular areas both from NMs and from SSMs, frequently substituted by nonaggregated atypical cells distributed in sheetlike structures. In the upper dermis, all groups exhibited plump bright cells, dense dishomogeneous cell clusters, and atypical nucleated cells, whereas cerebriform clusters were characteristic of NMs. Conclusion Distinctive dermoscopic and confocal features seen in NMs compared with SSMs are helpful in making the diagnosis and suggest different biological behavior.

Vasculitis in erythema induratum of Bazin: A histopathologic study of 101 biopsy specimens from 86 patients

BACKGROUND Erythema induratum of Bazin is a mostly lobular panniculitis. There is considerable controversy in the literature about whether or not vasculitis is a histopathologic requirement to establish the diagnosis of erythema induratum of Bazin. Even accepting vasculitis as a histopathologic criterion, there is no agreement about the nature and size of the involved vessels. OBJECTIVE The main goal of our study was to investigate whether or not vasculitis was present in a large series of cases of erythema induratum of Bazin and, when vasculitis was found, to determine the nature and localization of the involved vessels. METHODS We studied 101 skin biopsy specimens from 86 patients with clinicopathologic diagnosis of erythema induratum of Bazin. Histopathologic criteria required in each case to be included in this study were: (1) a mostly lobular panniculitis with necrotic adipocytes at the center of the fat lobule; (2) inflammatory infiltrate within the fat lobule mostly composed of neutrophils in early lesions and granulomatous infiltrate in fully developed lesions; (3) significant fat necrosis; and (4) absence of other histopathologic findings that allow a specific diagnosis of other lobular panniculitis different from erythema induratum of Bazin. We also recorded the nature of the inflammatory cells involving the fat lobule, and the lesions were classified into two main categories: (1) early lesions, when the inflammatory infiltrate was mainly composed of neutrophils, with or without leukocytoclasis; and (2) fully developed lesions, when histiocytes and lipophages were the predominant inflammatory cells within the involved fat lobule. RESULTS Some type of vasculitis was evident in 91 cases (90.09%). A total of 47 biopsy specimens (46.5%) showed a mostly lobular panniculitis with necrotizing vasculitis involving the small vessels, probably venules, of the center of the fat lobule. Thirteen biopsy specimens (12.8%) showed a mostly lobular panniculitis with vasculitis involving both large septal veins and small vessels, probably venules, of the center of the fat lobule. Twelve biopsy specimens (11.8%) showed a mostly lobular panniculitis with vasculitis involving large septal veins, with no involvement or other septal or lobular vessels. Ten biopsy specimens (9.9%) showed a mostly lobular panniculitis with vasculitis involving large septal vessels, both arteries and veins, and necrotizing vasculitis involving the small vessels, probably venules, of the center of the fat lobule. Nine biopsy specimens (8.9%) showed a mostly lobular panniculitis with vasculitis involving large septal vessels, both arteries and veins, but with no involvement of the small blood vessels of the center of the fat lobule. Finally, 10 biopsy specimens (9.9%) showed a mostly lobular panniculitis without evidence of septal or lobular vasculitis in serial sections. Associated diseases included history of extracutaneous tuberculosis (including tuberculosis of the lung, lymph nodes, kidney, or bowel) in 12 cases (13.95%), previous episodes of superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower legs in 3 cases (3.72%), rheumatoid arthritis in one case (1.16%), Crohn disease in one case (1.16%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia in two cases (2.32%), hypothyroidism in two cases (2.32%), and positive serology for hepatitis B virus in 4 cases (4.65%) and for hepatitis C virus in 5 cases (5.81%). LIMITATIONS Serial sections were not performed in all cases. At least 10 sections were studied in each case. When vasculitis was evident in some of these first 10 sections, no further sections were cut, but when histopathologic features of vasculitis were not found in the first 10 sections, serial sections throughout the specimen were performed looking for vasculitis. Because some type of vasculitis was evident in the first 10 sections of 91 cases, serial sections were performed only in the remaining 10 cases and they failed to demonstrate clear-cut histopathologic features of vasculitis. On the other hand, this is a retrospective study that was performed from the histopathologic slides of our files, and only the clinical information contained in the report accompanying the biopsy specimen could be recorded. CONCLUSIONS In our experience, vasculitis is present in most lesions of erythema induratum of Bazin, and the nature, location, and size of the involved vessels is, from more to less frequent, as follows: (1) small venules of the fat lobule; (2) both veins of the connective tissue septa and venules of the fat lobule; (3) only veins of the connective tissue septa; (4) veins and arteries of the connective tissue septa and venules of the fat lobule; and (5) veins and arteries of the connective tissue septa. However, in some cases with all clinicopathologic features of erythema induratum of Bazin vasculitis could not be demonstrated with serial sections throughout the specimen and, therefore, the presence of vasculitis should be not considered as a criterion sine qua non for histopathologic diagnosis of erythema induratum of Bazin.

Molecular diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a comparison between reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization methodologies.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is characterized by the presence of the t(17;22)(q22;q13) that leads to the fusion of the COL1A1 and PDGFB genes. This translocation can be detected by multiplex reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques. We have evaluated the usefulness of a dual color dual fusion FISH probe strategy for COL1A1/PDGFB detection in a series of 103 archival DFSPs and compared the obtained results with RT‐PCR analyses. FISH and RT‐PCR were carried out on paraffin embedded tissue samples. Regarding the RT‐PCR approach, all COL1A1 exons and exon 2 of PDGFB were evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were assessed considering the histological diagnosis as the gold standard. We also analyzed the relationship between the genetic findings and the clinicopathological variables of the tumors. The COL1A1/PDGFB translocation was detected in 93% of DFSP. Both techniques showed a similar specificity (100%), but FISH was more sensitive than RT‐PCR (90% vs. 72%). Regarding, clinicopathological features, a higher percentage of positive cells detected by FISH was significantly associated with the fibrosarcomatous DFSP variant (P < 0.001). Interestingly, all CD34 negative DFSP (n = 5) were positive for COL1A1/PDGFB translocation by both techniques. In conclusion, the majority of DFSP harbor the COL1A1/PDGFB translocation and FISH technique should be recommended as a routine diagnostic tool, especially in cases showing unusual histopathological subtypes and/or immunohistochemical features.

Non-invasive management of non-melanoma skin cancer in patients with cancer predisposition genodermatosis: a role for confocal microscopy and photodynamic therapy

Background  Patients with genodermatosis such as Gorlin syndrome (GS) and Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) require a close follow‐up for early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of methyl‐aminolevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) from patients with GS and XP, and to determine the utility of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in the diagnosis and the evaluation of therapeutic response.

Prevalence of tinea pedis, tinea unguium of toenails and tinea capitis in school children from Barcelona

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of tinea capitis, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium in children from several schools of Barcelona city. METHODS During the period of 2003-2004, a prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 1,305 children (9% immigrant population) between the ages 3 and 15 in 17 schools in Barcelona. A systematic examination of the feet, (including nails and scalp), was performed to identify lesions compatible with tinea. Cultures of scalp and feet samples were done and analysis of environmental samples was performed for dermatophyte isolation. RESULTS Dermatophytes were isolated in 2.9% of the samples with a prevalence of 2.5% in feet, 0.23% in scalp, and 0.15% in nails of the feet. The predominant etiologic agents in feet were Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 45.7% of the cases and Trichophyton rubrum in 31.4%. In the nails, T. rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans were isolated, while T. mentagrophytes (2 cases) and Trichophyton violaceum (1 case) were identified in scalp samples. Forty-five per cent of dermatophytes were isolated from healthy feet, the majority of cases in children 13- 15-years-old (p < 0.05). Microsporum gypseum was the only agent identified in the environmental samples, and was also found in one of the cases of tinea pedis. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate a low prevalence of tinea capitis and tinea unguium in school children of Barcelona. On the contrary, high prevalence of dermatophytes in feet was found. It highlights the high prevalence of healthy carriers of dermatophytes in feet.

Surveillance for treatment failure of lentigo maligna with dermoscopy and in vivo confocal microscopy: new descriptors

Nonsurgical treatment (radiotherapy, imiquimod) is increasingly employed for the management of lentigo maligna (LM). While the diagnosis of LM remains difficult, the detection of treatment failure is even more challenging.