Sukriti Baveja

Combination therapy in the management of atrophic acne scars

Background: Atrophic acne scars are difficult to treat. The demand for less invasive but highly effective treatment for scars is growing. Objective: To assess the efficacy of combination therapy using subcision, microneedling and 15% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel in the management of atrophic scars. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with atrophic acne scars were graded using Goodman and Baron Qualitative grading. After subcision, dermaroller and 15% TCA peel were performed alternatively at 2-weeks interval for a total of 6 sessions of each. Grading of acne scar photographs was done pretreatment and 1 month after last procedure. Patients own evaluation of improvement was assessed. Results: Out of 16 patients with Grade 4 scars, 10 (62.5%) patients improved to Grade 2 and 6 (37.5%) patients improved to Grade 3 scars. Out of 22 patients with Grade 3 scars, 5 (22.7%) patients were left with no scars, 2 (9.1%) patients improved to Grade 1and 15 (68.2%) patients improved to Grade 2. All 11 (100%) patients with Grade 2 scars were left with no scars. There was high level of patient satisfaction. Conclusion: This combination has shown good results in treating not only Grade 2 but also severe Grade 4 and 3 scars.

Generalized granuloma annulare treated with monthly rifampicin, ofloxacin, and minocycline combination therapy.

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a disease characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the dermis. A variant form of the disease, generalized granuloma annulare (GGA), can be observed in 15% of affected patients. Localized GA is likely to resolve spontaneously within months or a few years, whereas GGA can persist for decades. There are various therapies for treating GGA. Monthly combination therapy of rifampicin 600 mg, ofloxacin 400 mg, and minocycline 100 mg (ROM) is used for treating paucibacillary leprosy which shares both clinical and histopathologic similarities with GA. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the possible efficacy of monthly ROM in a patient with GGA.

Intralesional immunotherapy for difficult to treat warts with Mycobacterium w vaccine

Background: Immunotherapy is an evolving therapeutic modality for the treatment of warts. We conducted a study to assess the efficacy and safety of intralesional Mycobacterium w vaccine for the treatment of warts at sites that were difficult to treat. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with at least one wart present on either the plantar surface of their feet, palms, volar aspect of their fingers, or periungual or subungual region, were treated with 0.1 ml of killed Mycobacterium w vaccine given intralesionally in a single wart, without any prior sensitisation dose. Thereafter, a single injection of 0.1 ml of vaccine was given at intervals of four weeks in a single wart till there was complete resolution of the warts or a maximum of 10 injections. Treatment was stopped if there was no response after three injections. The patients were followed up for at least six months. Results: Out of the 30 patients, 28 (93.33%) patients had complete resolution of their warts, both at the injected and distant sites. The mean (SD) time for complete clearance of warts was 43.71(32.82) days and the mean (SD) dose of vaccine that was required for complete clearance of warts was 0.186 ml (0.101). Four patients (14.28%) had a recurrence of warts. The treatment was well-tolerated and the side effects were reversible in the majority of the patients. Conclusion: In comparison to the earlier studies using Mycobacterium w vaccine for the treatment of warts, our study was different in the following aspects: No sensitisation dose was given, only a single wart was injected at a time and the duration between the period of injections was increased to four weeks. With all these changes we eliminated the complications due to the sensitisation dose and achieved good results. This study provides new insight into the dose and schedule of treatment of this evolving therapeutic modality.

Syphilitic hepatitis: An uncommon manifestation of a common disease

Hepatitis being first manifestation of secondary syphilis is rare. Here in we report a case of 39 years old male who was being treated for hepatitis and presented to us subsequently with itchy maculopapular rash. Venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) titre was 1:16. Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) was positive. He was treated with intramuscular Benzathine Penicillin. His hepatitis improved rapidly.

Monthly rifampicin, ofloxacin, and minocycline therapy for generalized and localized granuloma annulare.

BACKGROUND The localized form of granuloma annulare is usually self-limiting, resolving within 2 years. Generalized granuloma annulare, on the other hand, runs a protracted course, with spontaneous resolution being rare. It is also characterized by a later age of onset, an increased incidence of diabetes mellitus, poor response to therapy, and an increased prevalence of HLA Bw35. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of monthly pulsed rifampicin, ofloxacin, and minocycline (ROM) therapy in the management of granuloma annulare. METHODS Six biopsy proven patients of granuloma annulare were included in the study, five of the generalized variety, and one localized. Three of these patients were resistant to standard modalities of treatment. All six patients were treated with pulses of once monthly ROM till complete resolution of all lesions. Results were analyzed in terms of complete resolution of lesions and side effects. Presence of comorbid conditions was noted. RESULT All six patients were successfully treated with 4-8 pulses of monthly ROM. None of the patients reported any adverse effects. LIMITATIONS Small sample size and the lack of a control group are limitations. CONCLUSION Treatment with pulses of once monthly ROM caused complete resolution of lesions in both localized and generalized granuloma annulare, even in cases recalcitrant to conventional therapy. There were no side effects in any of the patients. Larger trials are needed to substantiate the efficacy of monthly ROM in granuloma annulare.

Containing leprosy: Current epidemiological status, detection and management strategies, and experiences at a tertiary level center

Leprosy, an infectious disease, described since ancient times and endemic in India since then, has been eliminated (elimination defined as a prevalence of less than 1 case per 10,000 population) as a public health problem in December 2005. World Health Organization and National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP) have now focused on reducing the disease burden in the population. Data indicates that annual fresh case detection rate remains high with a high incidence of multibacillary cases. A review of present NLEP figures and those reported in a number of studies reflect a discordance and caution by dermatologists. A review of present policy, epidemiological status in the population, and our experience is presented. Data from Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, over the past 3 years, including patients treated as well as those on surveillance is presented. A higher incidence of paucibacillary cases was seen, with a high incidence of pure neuritic involvement (15%), reactions (24.7%), and deformities (28.37%). Tenosynovitis was observed with increasing frequency. Future challenges in containing the epidemic to reduce the disease burden in population will require regular assessment of treatment measures, especially the use of fixed drug therapy as well as rehabilitation of the affected. Dermatologists shall play a central role in any such endeavor in the management of this disease.

Acute scrotum: Hansen's disease versus filariasis

Hansens disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease is known to involve the visceral organs including the testis apart from the skin and nerves in the lepromatous pole of leprosy due to widespread hematogenous dissemination of lepra bacilli. Furthermore, there can be testicular pain during the type 2 reaction in Hansens disease. Filariasis is a disease caused by the parasitic nematode, Wuchereria bancrofti. This infection most commonly results in lymphedema and secondary vaginal hydrocele with an associated epididymo-orchitis. Acute epididymo-orchitis is either seen in the acute phase or as a part of secondary bacterial infections. The particular interest of this paper is to report the case of Hansens disease who presented with testicular pain and posed a diagnostic dilemma when his pain did not respond to the standard mode of treatment and an alternate rare diagnosis was sought. This case report also emphasizes the need of reconsideration of diagnosis when the patient is not responding to standard therapy.

Tenosynovitis: An unusual presentation of leprosy

Tenosynovitis is an uncommon presentation of Type 1 reaction in leprosy. Herein, we report a case of bilateral tenosynovitis of wrist joints who after being unsuccessfully treated by a rheumatologist for several months, was finally diagnosed as a case of Hansens disease (borderline lepromatous) with Type 1 reaction.

Squamous cell carcinoma of nail bed: A great mimicker

Squamous cell carcinoma of nail bed is a rare low-grade malignancy, preferentially involving the digits of hands and thumb in particular. It mimics various common disorders of nail and does not have any specific clinical sign or symptoms, hence it is frequently misdiagnosed or takes a long time for diagnosis. These patients consult various surgeons and dermatologist and are invariably treated for chronic paronychia, onychomycosis, subungual wart or psoriasis before diagnosis is finally established. Delay in diagnosis is primarily because of the benign looks of the lesion and consequent reluctance of biopsy. We report a 64-year-old patient of squamous cell carcinoma of nail bed whose diagnosis was delayed by more than 2 years. It highlights the need of sensitising physicians, surgeons and dermatologists about this condition. Timely diagnosis and intervention can obviate the need of amputation, one of the most demeaning surgeries.

Congenital erythropoietic porphyria: An unusual presentation

Congenital erythropoietic porphyria is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of heme biosynthesis that results from the deficient activity of uroporphyrinogen III synthase. Herein, we report a case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with red-colored urine, erythrodontia, hypertrichosis, and skin fragility with minimal scarring over dorsa of the hands and tip of the nose, but without the classical history of photosensitivity, blistering, or mutilation of photo-exposed parts.