Pityriasis lichenoides is a benign disease that includes a continuous spectrum with two polar ends: pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) and pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC). Although its benign and self-limited character, treatment is required, both for itch relief and for cosmetic issues. The present study is a retrospective analysis of 13 patients (11 PLC and 2 PLEVA) treated in our institution with psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) or ultraviolet A combined with ultraviolet B (UVA/UVB) during the period 1998-2011. In the PUVA group, complete response was achieved in five patients and partial response in two. Total cumulative UVA dose was 84.4 J/cm(2). One patient quit therapy without therapeutic response. In the UVA/UVB group, complete response was achieved in two patients and partial response in an equal number of patients. One patient did not reach a significant improvement. Total cumulative doses were: 26.1 J/cm(2) for UVA and 3.62 J/cm(2) for UVB. There were no acute side effects in either therapeutic group. In the present study, PUVA phototherapy was preferred for patients with more widespread or long-evolving disease, while UVA/UVB was selected for patients who presented more recent disease or contraindications for PUVA therapy. Regardless of the absence of clinical guidelines, both therapeutic options proved to be successful, ascertaining phototherapy as an effective and safe option for pityriasis lichenoides patients.
Fungal invasive infections are rare in general population but are an emergent cause of infection in the immunocompromized population, especially in the solid organ transplant recipients. Herein the authors report a clinical case of a liver transplanted patient suffering a cutaneous co-existent infection with A. alternata as well as A. infectoria.To our knowledge this is the first case of cutaneous concomitant infection due to those two species reported not only in Portugal but also worldwide. The patient was treated with surgical excision of the lesions and oral itraconazol without relapse.
Chemotherapeutic agents may induce both local and systemic cutaneous toxicity, and evaluation of these reactions in oncologic patients constitutes a real challenge. The authors describe a 78-year-old Caucasian woman, with a past medical history relevant for right radical mastectomy with axillary dissection because of stage 2 breast invasive ductal carcinoma (T2N3M0), referred to our department because of an intertriginous eruption in her groin. Two weeks before the eruption, a chemotherapy regime with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil was performed. Examination revealed erythematous and dusky violaceous papules coalescing into edematous patches in the inguinal intertriginous area, including the internal surface of her thighs, groin, genital area, and intergluteal cleft. Skin cultures for bacteria and fungus were negative. Clinical and histological data were consistent with an intertriginous pattern of toxic erythema of chemotherapy (TEC). Oral prednisolone therapy (0.5 mg/kg) was started, tapered over a 1-week period, and along with general measures that included topical zinc oxide suspension, cutaneous lesions cleared completely within the first days. Although patient reassurance, she refused any kind of new chemotherapy infusions. Due to their high metabolic rate, the skin, mucous membranes, and annexes are one of the most important target organs of the toxicity associated with systemic chemotherapy. Several patterns of cutaneous eruptions to chemotherapy have been reported in the literature. Trying to resolve this issue, recently recommended was a new clinically descriptive term, TEC, in order to emphasize the overlapping features of these entities. Early recognition of this entity is critical, not just from a prognostic standpoint, but also to avoid unnecessary, potentially harmful therapeutic interventions.
Current advancements in therapeutics enjoyed today include the advent of the biologics and other immunomodulating systemic agents. However, attending to the responses achieved, and considering other variables like well-known side effects and cost, photo(chemo)therapy will remain an essential method of treatment for psoriasis vulgaris in the 21st century.
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