Dermatology : international journal for clinical and investigative dermatology
-
Dermatology (Basel) · Jan 2009
Case ReportsNew indications for artificial collagen-elastin matrices? Covering exposed tendons.
We present an 80-year-old patient who presented a defect with exposed tendons on the dorsum of the hand after micrographic controlled tumour excision. The defect was closed using a combination of artificial collagen-elastin matrix (Matriderm) covered by an autologous split-skin graft in a 1-step approach resulting in rapid healing and good functional and cosmetic results.
-
Dermatology (Basel) · Jan 2009
Case ReportsIntravascular large B-cell lymphoma of the skin: typical clinical manifestations and a favourable response to rituximab-containing therapy.
Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVBCL) is a rare malignant neoplasm characterized by the proliferation of large B cells within the blood vessels. The disease can be limited to the skin, but involvement of other organs is common. We report a case of cutaneous IVBCL in a 62-year-old man with minimal histological changes in contrast to prominent skin lesions. The patient was successfully treated with rituximab in combination with CHOP chemotherapy.
-
Dermatology (Basel) · Jan 2009
Case ReportsDisseminated herpes zoster mimicking rheumatoid vasculitis in a rheumatoid arthritis patient on etanercept.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha)-blocking agents are immunomodulating agents introduced for treatment of a variety of chronic inflammatory disease conditions. Adverse effects include an increased incidence of infections. Clinically, these infections often have atypical presentations that may hamper prompt diagnosis. ⋯ Therapy with intravenous acyclovir followed by oral valacyclovir allowed complete resolution of acute skin changes. In immunosuppressed patients, the possibility of infection with atypical presentation must always be kept in mind, and that this might mimic other disease conditions. Broad differential diagnosis and an extended diagnostic workup help in establishing the correct diagnosis.
-
Dermatology (Basel) · Jan 2009
Case ReportsCutaneous T cell lymphoma complicating severe atopic dermatitis. Is making a diagnosis the main challenge?
The association between severe long-term atopic dermatitis (AD) and the risk of skin lymphoma is still a matter of debate, since epidemiological studies have shown contradictory results. We report 2 cases of patients with a documented history of severe longstanding atopic disease, who had never been treated with topical or systemic calcineurin inhibitors, and who developed a cytotoxic cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). For these 2 patients, clinical manifestations preceded the diagnosis of CTCL. ⋯ These cases illustrate the difficulty in diagnosing CTCL in patients with severe AD and extensive inflammatory skin lesions. The transition between severe AD and CTCL is progressive; histological findings and molecular evidence of TCR clonality are detected after the clinical changes. These 2 cases lend further support to the hypothesis of an association between severe long-term AD and CTCL.
-
Dermatology (Basel) · Jan 2009
The psoriasis family index: preliminary results of validation of a quality of life instrument for family members of patients with psoriasis.
Psoriasis can have a major impact on the lives of patients, the members of their families and their partners. ⋯ The PFI is a simple and practical measure to assess the HRQoL of family members/partners of patients with psoriasis.