Nail Dystrophy x 3 Years

Abstract:  52 yo woman with 3 year history of a nail dystrophy

HPI:  The patient has had this problem for three years.  She works out a lot and recalls trauma to the toe,

O/E:  The left great toe nail is dystrophic,  The nail is quite short and there is brownish green discoloration under the abnormal nail.  There is some hemorrhage under the proximal nail fold.  

Clinical Photos:

Dermatoscopiic Image

Lab:  KOH was positive for hyphae, but fungal culture is negative at 14 days.

Impression:  Nail dystrophy in a 52 year-old woman.  While this is probably traumatic, the long history is of concern and I feel that biopsy should be considered to rule out malignancy.

Questions:  What is your diagnosis?  Would you obtain a biopsy to rule out malignancy given the long history.

Vellus Hair Cysts

Abstract: 17 yo boy with scores of papules on abdomen, chest, neck

HPI:  This 17 yo boy has had 2 - 3 mm papules on chest, abdomen and neck slowly progressive since age 10.  Occasionally the lesions become iflamed.

OE: Scores of 2 - 3 mm somewhat cystic lesions in above areas.  Some are slightly greyish

Clinical Photo:

 Pathology: (Photomicrographs taken by Dr. Deon Wolpowitz, Department of Dermatopathology, Boston University School of Medicine.
Within the dermis there is a cyst lined by squamous epithelium with a granular layer and containing laminated keratin and numerous vellus hairs.

4x

20x

Diagnosis:  Vellus Hair Cysts

Questions: Has anyone had success treating VHC?  Do they just disappear over time?  Who has seen an adult with with VHC?

Learning Points: (from reference 2)

1. Eruptive vellus hair cysts are a benign, asymptomatic condition, occurring predominantly in children and young adults.

2. Differential diagnoses include milia, comedones, keratosis pilaris, molluscum contagiosum and steatocystoma multiplex.

3.Risk of scarring should always be carefully considered before embarking on surgical or laser treatment.

References:

1.  Vellus Hair Cysts  - eMedicine

2.  Papules on the trunk. Eruptive vellus hair cysts.

Roberts CM, Birnie AJ, Kaye P, Murphy R.

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2010 Apr;3:74-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2009.03494

Arcuate and Circinate Facial Eruption

Presented by   Dr. Arnulfo Macadangdang

Cebu City, Philippines

Abstract:  18 year-old student with one week history of facial eruption

HPI:  The patient is an 18 yo man with a one-week history of an eruption on face and neck.  It is mostly asymptomatic.  He is an athlete, takes no medications and has no risky behaviors.  He had an upper respiratory infection around a month before onset. 

O/E:  There are arcuate and circinate lesions on cheeks, neck, and forehead.  Two similar lesions on u upper back. The scale is greasy.  No lymphadenopathy.

Clinical Photos:

Lab:  KOH negative

Diagnosis:  This has some features of seborrheic dermatitis, but it is not typical.  Sebosporiasis was another thought.  Evolving psoriasis?  Relationship to "URI" in October?

Questions:  Does this clinical picture suggest any specific diagnosis?

Follow-up:
5 Day F/U photos

 
The patient was seen 5 days after starting desonide 0.05% cream.  His skin lesions have esolved completely with mild post-inflammatory hypopigmentation.  The three lesions on back (not treated) have persisted. No new lesions.  Our tentative diagnosis is atypical seborrheic dermatitis.  Atypical Pityriasis rosea is also considered.  We do not feel serology for syphilis and HIV are indicated at this point, based on a discussion of risky behaviors.   Will taper desonide over the next two weeks and see patient back in a month as necessary.

New Onset Plaques in an Exchange Student in Malaysia

Presented by Henry Foong
Ipoh, Malaysia

Abstract: 26 yo man with 2 month history of plaques face and chest

HPI:  The patient is a 26-yr-old healthy Libyan student who presented with a two month history of erythematous plaques on the face and chest.  He first noticed the reddish plaques on the chest and subsequently spread to the face.  Presently, it also involves the elbows and knees. It is asymptomatic and does not appear to be transient.  It does not seem to be aggravated by sunlight, heat, cold or physical activity.  He is otherwise well and is not on any long term medications/herbs/OTC.

O/E:  Shows few erythematous raised annular plaques 1-2 cm on the anterior chest wall, forehead, cheek, extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees. They do not blanch with pressure.  There are a few patches of alopecia with underlying erythematous skin noted on the occipital scalp. 

Clinical Images:

 

 

 

Lab: Blood counts and biochemistry were normal.  VDRL was negative. Anti-nuclear antibody serology was 1:320 titre.  

Path: Skin biopsy results: Section shows skin composed of epidermis and dermis. Hyperkeratosis and atrophied epidermis are seen. There is basal layer degeneration. Pigment laden macrophages are seen in the upper dermis. Perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates are seen in the upper and mid dermis. No granulomas are seen.

Diagnosis:  Lupus erythematosus

Plan: The immediate plan is to institute oral prednisolone 30mg daily and hydroxychloroquine 400mg daily with advise on sunblocks. However, on examination by ophthalmologist, he found maculopathy in this patient and raised the question of suitability of hydroxychloroquine in this patient.

Questions
Which type of LE would this patent fit into.  Subacute LE?
Which steroid sparing agent would you use? cellcept or imuran?

Comment by Richard Sontheimer, M.D.

The clinical and histopathologic features are highly suggestive of lupus-specific skin disease. From the photographs I cannot tell if this is subacute cutaneous LE or generalized discoid LE (induration of the lesions would be more consistent with discoid LE). Lesions in the scalp would argue more for discoid LE. However, the positive ANA would be more typical of SCLE. If possible I would check this patient's Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B autoantibody status. It is possible at times to see overlapping features of subacute SCLE and discoid LE concurrently. I would also establish a baseline for possible development of clinically significant systemic LE in the future with the following laboratory screening: Complete blood count with differential, serum chemistry screen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and urinalysis.

Maculopathy in such a young male is quite unusual. Were there any associated visual field deficits with this maculopathy? If not, I would not exclude the possibility of an ongoing trial of oral hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine with careful ophthalmology followup. In addition, antimalarial therapy with oral quinacrine could be considered as this antimalarial drug does not add risk for retinal toxicity. Thalidomide at could also be considered in such case presuming it was available to the patient and appropriate followup for neurologic toxicity could be assured.

With respect to immunosuppressive steroid-sparing effect I would first consider methotrexate. After that I would consider CellCept as Imuran is relatively more toxic. In addition aggressive topical corticosteroid therapy would also be advised.

Talon Zumba

Abstract: 36 yo woman with brown-black macule on heel

HPI:  A 36 year-old woman presented in a panic with a recently discovered dark-brown to black macule on the heel of her left foot.  It had been brought to her attention by her pedicurist.  The patient had consulted the Internet and found articles about acrolentiginous melanoma which worried her greatly. Anamnesis revealed that she had been Zumba dancing a few days before this was discovered.

O/E: The lesion measured eight mm in diameter and was dark brown to black in color.  Dermoscopy revealed a black color with a parallel ridge pattern.

Clinical Photos:

On the suspicion that this represents hemorrhage into the strateum corneum (a condition, when on the foot, called black heel or talon noir) the lesion was pared down with a # 15 blade and some of the dark pigment was easily debrided leaving a skin colored base centrally and some petechael spots were seen at the periphery.  The patient was asked to debride the area gently with a heel shaver andgiven a return appointment in two weeks.

Talon noir can be a frightening entity for a patient.  Lacking a history, a physician can be fooled, since the parallel ridge pattern seen on dermoscopy is also present in acral melanomas.  History trumps clinical appearance,

Follow-up:
At two weeks out, the area is almost completely resolved, this confirming the diagnosis of talon noir.

Two weeks after initial visit.

 

Reference: 

1. Talon Noir (Primary care Dermatology Society)  This is an excellent reference and there is no need for more.

Erosive Pustular Dermatosis

Presented by Hamish Dunwoodie, MBBS
The Pas,  Manitoba Canada

Abstract:  98 yo woman with exophitic tumor of the forehead

HPI:  The patient is a light complected Caucasian with a 4 month history of a keratotic lersion on the forehead.  She has a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer.  She is a poor historian.

O/E:  4 cm in diameter crusted tumor forehead.

Photos:

After crust removed

Procedure:  The lesion was compressed with a warm wet gauze pad for 10 minutes and the crust was easily removed.  A deep shave biopsy wes performed and the lesion was electrodessicated and curretted.

Histopathology:
The specimen shows cocally confluent ulceration with underlhying granulation tissue and a moderate to dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate.  This is consistent with erosive pustular dermatosis.

Diagnosis:  Erosive Pustular Dermatosis

Discussion:  Clinically, I thought this was a nonmelanoma skin cancer.  Most cases of EPD are on the scalp but they have been described in other sites.

Photo:  3 week post op:

Based on path report, she was treated with clobetasol ointment 0.05% b.i.d.  for two weeks; and after this pictures wwas taken she was switched to fluocinalone 0.025% ointment for two more weeks.

References:
1, emedicine.com Erosive Pustular Dermatosis

2. Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp and nonscalp.

Van Exel CE, English JC 3rd.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Aug;57(2 Suppl):S11-4.

University of Pittsburgh, Department of Dermatology, PA
Abstract; Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp is characterized by an idiopathic pustular eruption occurring in association with iatrogenic or incidental, antecedent trauma to actinically damaged skin. We present two cases of erosive pustular dermatosis, one of which occurred on the scalp, the other of which was primarily located on the face. (The editor can send a link to full text if you want.)

Nonspecific Oral and Genital Lesions

Abstract:  92 year-old woman with 6 year history of painful oral and genital lesions

HPI:  The patient is an otherwise healthy and alert 92 year old woman with painful erosions of tongue and vulva for six years. She has marked pain with eating and urination.  Mouth lesions preceded genital lesions by a few years.  She has been followed for erosive lichen planus but it is unclear if any biopsies were positive.  She has lost weight because her painful tongue causes her to avoid eating.  She has been treated with clobetasol ointment,  Viscous Lidocaine was not effective.

O/E:  Erosive lesions of tongue and labia.  No bullae noted. Remainder of cutaneous exam unremarkable.

Clinical Photos:

Pathology:  Biopsy of genital labial skin shows papillary dermal fiborsis and a mild superficial perivascular mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate.  No lichenoid infiltrate.  Direct immunofluorescence from perilesional skin was negative.  PASD negative for fungi.

Diagnosis:  Painful erosions mouth and genitalia.  At present no support for lichen planus or bullous process histologically.

Questions:  What are your thoughts? Her oral pain makes eating difficult and negatively affects her quality of life.  Are there other therapies that we could consider?

Norwegian Scabies Infestation

Abstract: An 84-year-old elderly woman with 3 months history of pruritic skin eruption

History: The patient is an 84-year-old nursing home resident who presents for evaluation  of pruritic skin eruption for the past three months. She first noted pruritic lesions on her hands when she was in a hospital for a back surgery. Since then her skin was progressively worsening and the eruption spread to her face, arms, abdomen and legs. She notes she was getting thick scales in the involved areas. She has chronic back pain and has gone through several operations past 3 months. Her other medical history includes congestive heart failure, hypertension, and COPD. Due to pain and her recent skin eruption, she has been taking prednisone, hydromorphone, doxepin, and Ativan. She feels sedated and confused at times. The patient is with her daughter who had significant contact and similar symptoms.

Clinical photos:

O/E: The skin exam shows a somewhat sleepy, but oriented, elderly woman in a wheelchair with yellow to green thick scaly plaques on the hands, forearms, elbows,  face,  ears, abdomen and legs. Dermoscopic evaluation shows multiple triangle jet signs with burrows. Scraping prep with mineral oil showed multiple scabies mites. Photo shows a portion of a 10X field on which 11 mites were seen.

Diagnosis: Norwegian scabies

Questions: We'd appreciate your recommendations on this patient's care. 

Discussion: Crusted Norwegian scabies is an uncommon hyperkeratotic variant of scabies infestation. Norwegian scabies are known to be as opportunistic pathogens. Our patient has been under significant stress physically and emotionally due to recent back surgeries and her skin eruption has progressed under the eyes of a medical staff.  Her medications contributed to the development of Norwegian scabies by suppressing her immune response (prednisone) and blunting her itch perception (Dilaudid, doxepin and Ativan).  In a way, this was a perfect storm.   Due to severity of involvement, the patient will be treated with oral ivermectin 200 micrograms per kilogram weekly for 3 weeks and permethrin 5% cream weekly for 4 - 5 weeks. Her daughter and all close family members will be also treated with topical medication. The nursing home will be informed.  It is estimated that the mite load of patients with Norwegian scabies can be as high as 15 million which accounts for the  highly contagious nature of this variant.  All of the staff and residents of her nursing home should receive scabies treatment.

References:
1. Towersey L, Cunha MX, Feldman CA, et al. Dermoscopy of Norwegian scabies in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. An Bras Dermatol. 2010;85(2):221-223

2. Problems in diagnosing scabies, a global disease in human and animal populations.

Walton SF, Currie BJ.  Clin Microbiol Rev. 2007 Apr;20(2):268-79.  Excellent review, available open access fulltext.

3. Reflectance confocal microscopy for quantification of Sarcoptes scabiei in Norwegian scabies. Cinotti E, Perrot JL, et. al J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 Feb;27(2):e176-8.  PubMed listing.

Complicated Speckled Lentiginous Nevus

Presented by Yoon Cohen, D.O.
Alta Dermatology
Mesa, Arizona

Abstract: An 8-year-old girl with large congenital nevus on the chin, the anterior neck and the right aspect of shoulder and the chest

History: The patient is an 8-year-old girl who was born with congenital nevi on the mid anterior neck and possibly another similar lesion over the right side of the mandible. Over the years, she has developed many 1-3 mm in diagmeter tan papules in and around the chin and submental region. She was seen recently for follow up. Her nevus is slowly maturing but still benign in appearance and there are no outlier lesions in the large defect. Some of the tumor is bilateral.

Clinical photo:

O/E: The skin examination shows a healthy, pleasant child with numerous scattered 1 to 3 mm brown macules and papules in a background of light tan pigmentation on the chin, the anterior neck and the right aspect of the upper chest. There is a well marginated 25 mm in diameter brown patch on the lower mid anterior neck. There is a 3.5 x 4.0 cm hypopigmented patch on the right shoulder

Diagnosis: Complicated Speckled Lentiginous Nevus (SLN)

Questions: Please share your experiences in managing patients with SLN similar conditions.  Do you feel there is a concern that this lesion may undergo malignant transformation.  What do you think of the hypopigmented area?

Discussion: A speckled lentiginous nevus (SLN, Nevus Spilus) can be a congenital or acquired pigmented lesion. More recently arguments are in favor of speckled lentiginous nevi as subtype of congenital nevi including the following observations: frequent presence at birth or noted soon therafter; patterns of distribution reflecting embryonic development; hamartomatous behavior with various types of nevi; and histologic features of congenital melanocytic nevi within the lesions. There are two types of speckled lentiginous nevus -- Nevus spilus maculosus and nevus spilus papulosus. The macular type is characterized by dark speckles that are completely flat and rather evenly distributed on a light brown background, resembling a polka-dot pattern. In contrast, nevus spilus papulosus is defined by dark papules that are of different sizes and rather unevenly distributed, reminiscent of a star map. Perhaps, the most pressing concern is its potential malignant transformation. The propensity to develop Spitz nevi appears to be the same in both types of speckled lentiginous nevus whereas the development of malignant melanoma has been reported far more commonly in nevus spilus maculosus. Torchia and her colleague argue that malignant transformation of melanocytes might occur in SNL not because the hyperpigmented background features any specific procarcinogenic abnormality but because there are more melanocytes with SNL, yielding a slightly higher likelihood of developing any type of melanomcytic lesion. It is our best interest that we monitor our patients with SNL pediodically to detect any early signs of malignant transformation.

References:
1. Happle R. Speckled lentiginous naevus: which of the two disorders do you mean? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2008;34:133-135
2. Paraskevas LR, Halpern AC, Marghoob AA. Utility of the Wood's light: five cases from a pigmented lesion clinic. Br J Dermatol. 2005 May; 152(5): 1039-44
3. Menon K. Dusza SW, Marghoob AA, et al. Classification and prevalence of pigmented lesions in patients with total body photographs at high risk of developing melanoma. J Cutan Med Surg. 2006 Mar-Apr; 10(2):85-91
4. Schaffer J. Orlow S, Lazova R, et al. Speckled Lentiginous Nevus Within the Spectrum of Congenital Melanocytic Nevi. Arch Dermatol. 2001; 137:172-78
5. Torchia D. Schachner L. Is speckled lentiginous nevus really prone to dysplasia/neoplasia? Pediatr Dermatol. 2012 Jul-Aug; 29(4):546-7

Comments:
1. Dr. Ashfaq Marghoob: 
These patients (SLN of maculosa type) are at slightly higher risk for developing MM. Continued surveillance for focal change is what I do for these patients.

2. Dr. Rudolph Happle:
Thank you very much for letting me see this interesting case! Apparently, this is a classical example of papular SLN (papular nevus spilus).  Why is your diagnosis "Complicated SLN"? I would call this a complicated case if a melanoma would develop, but the risk is rather low because It's not a macular nevus spilus.

3. Dr. Harper Price: 

Thank you for sharing this interesting case.  It does look very classic for a SLN.

The risk of malignant transformation is very low and likely starts at puberty so I would follow her yearly and if there was a lot of change, even more frequently and use photography to help.  These SLN can have many other nevi within in as stated, including Spitz and blue nevi.

Hers looks quite good and not worrisome.  The area of hypopigmentation, if new, may represent vitiligo or if present early on, a hypochromic nevis (“twin spotting”).

These SNL certainly carry a much lower risk than a typical congenital melanocytic nevus of this size for melanoma development. 
Lifelong follow-up is my recommendation

Hemorrhagic Blister

Abstract: A 58-year-old man with 2-day history of deep purple to black papule

History: A 58-year-old man presents for evaluation of a skin lesion on the right lower abdomen that has been present approximately 2 days. The patient does not remember having any trauma on that area. It seems the lesion appeared quite abruptly and the color has been darkened over past 2 days. No history of non-melanoma skin cancers or melanoma.

O/E: The skin exam shows a healthy and pleasant man with skin type III. There is a sharply demarcated 6 mm deep dark purple oval shaped papule on the right lower abdomen. It is somewhat compressible.

Clinical & Dermatoscopic Photos:

Polarized Dermatoscopic Photo

Non-Polarized Dermatoscopic Photo

Diagnosis: Hemorrhagic blister

Discussion: The lesion was lanced with an 11 blade. Blood product was drained and confirmed the diagnosis of hemorrhagic blister. Initially, the lesion did not obviously look as  a hemorrhagic blister. The dermatoscopic image did not show a typically appearing hemangioma. Our biggest concern was to make sure this is not a melanoma. Conventionally, melanoma would not appear in a 2-day period. A careful history led us to consider a hemorrahagic blister with a simple lancing. 

Reference:
1. Bullous malignant melanoma: an unusual differential diagnosis of a hemorrhagic friction blister.

Vogt T, Brunnberg S, Hohenleutner U, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2003 29(1): 102-4

Source

BACKGROUND:

A 66-year-old woman presented to our outpatient clinic with a 3 x 2.5-cm tense, hemorrhagic-appearing bulla on her forefoot. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed a transtumoral-transepidermal blister formation within an advanced acrolentiginous malignantmelanoma (MM).

OBJECTIVE:

To study bullous malignant melanoma.

METHODS:

Blistering in MMs represents a rare but clinically important pitfall in clinical differential diagnosis. The blisters are typically due to the disruption of the cohesion between neoplastic cells and keratinocytes, but physical friction may also contribute.

RESULTS:

Hemorrhagic blistering is, in many cases, a relatively insignificant finding in which frictional forces are imposed.

CONCLUSION:

The case reported here underscores that in rare cases MMs, particularly if acrally located, can be complicated by hemorrhagic blistering. Because of the life-threatening consequences, one should be aware of this rare differential diagnosis.

Rosacea-Like Demodeciasis

Abstract:  47 yo woman with ab 8 month history of a facial eruption
 

The patient is a 47 yo woman with a rosacea-like eruption for eight months.  Dr. Yoon Cohen suggested demodicosis and performed a scraping.  It was loaded with demodex mites.  We are considering this an example of rosacea-like demodexinfestation and treated the patient with ivermectin 250 microgram/kg x 2 a week apart and permethrin 5% cream 2 - 3 times a week. 

Photos:

 After one week:

Diagnosis:  Rosacea-like Demodeciasis (most probably)

Discussion: It seems that this acneiform eruption is due to Demodex, but we need more time to be certain. Since Samuel Ayers, Jr. described this entity in 1930 it has been in the literature but there are still doubters in the dermatologic community.

Reference:

1. Dermatol Online J. 2007 Oct 13;13(4):9.

Granulomatous rosacea-like demodicidosis. Free Full Text

Lee JY, Hsu CK.

Abstract

Demodicidosis may present as pityriasis folliculitis, papulopustular lesions, rosacea-like eruptions, and granulomatous rosacea-like eruptions. We report a case of demodex granuloma presenting with recurrent granulomatous rosacea-like papules on the face in a middle-aged woman. The diagnosis of demodicidosis was made by finding extrafollicular mites in the perifollicular inflammatory infiltrate. The papules resolved after 3 weeks of systemic and topical metronidazole, and low-dose oral prednisolone therapy. In summary, demodex granuloma may be mistaken for granulomatous rosacea-like papules. Correct diagnosis can be facilitated by finding extrafollicular demodex mites in skin biopsy specimens.

2.  Cutis. 2007 Aug;80(2):149-51.

Recalcitrant papulopustular rosacea in an immunocompetent patient responding to combination therapy with oral ivermectin and topical permethrin.  Full Text PDF

Allen KJ, Davis CL, Billings SD, Mousdicas N.

Abstract

A 68-year-old healthy man presented with papulopustular rosacea (PPR) recalcitrant to multiple therapies, including permethrin cream 5%. Histologic examination detected the presence of chronic folliculitis and numerous Demodex organisms. A diagnosis of rosacealike demodicidosis was rendered, and the patient was treated with oral ivermectin and permethrin cream 5%, resulting in resolution of the folliculitis. Demodex infestation should be considered in any patient with rosacealike dermatitis resistant to conventional rosacea therapies. If infestation is demonstrated in these patients, oral ivermectin in combination with topical permethrin is a safe and effective therapeutic option.