Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment option for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). Recent publications have demonstrated that PDT with 7.8% 5‐aminolaevulinic acid nanoemulsion‐based gel (BF‐200 ALA‐PDT) is an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of sBCC). To investigate the efficacy and safety of 7.8% 5‐aminolaevulinic acid nanoemulsion‐based gel (BF‐200 ALA)‐PDT for the treatment of sBCC. A non‐controlled, open‐label single centre study was conducted. Patients received one PDT cycle with two PDT sessions one‐week apart. In case that clinical‐dermoscopy evaluation of treatment outcome revealed remaining lesions, a second PDT cycle was performed. The clinical results at the dermoscopy and fluorescence diagnosis level were histologically confirmed in all patients. Treatment response was evaluated 3, 6, and 12 months after last PDT session. A total of 31 patients (12 men and 19 women), with a median age of 63.74 years were included in this study. 3‐month after PDT‐session, 23/31 patients were complete responders (74.19%) after two BF‐200 ALA ‐PDT sessions. Esthetic outcome was considered good‐to‐excellent. 5 Aminolevulinic acid 7.8% nanoemulsion‐based gel (BF‐200 ALA) PDT is an effective therapy option for the treatment of sBCC. Complete clearance rates were higher in those patients who received only one PDT cycle. These results show a similar tendency as shown in other publications.
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease that affects hair follicles and results in nonscarring hair loss. Pathophysiology remains actually unclear. However, genetics and immunity are confirmed as the most important contributors to disease. From the clinical point of view, AA is most often limited to a certain area in the form of alopecic plaques, but it can develop as a total loss of hair on the scalp (AA totalis) or it can even affect the entire body surface (AA universalis), causing a great psychosocial impact on the patient's life. 1 These extensive forms, with a worse prognosis, become frequently a real challenge for the dermatologist, as there are currently no fully effective therapeutic alternatives. 2,3 A 52-year-old woman with a personal history of hypothyroidism and Loeys-Dietz syndrome was attended at our Dermatology Department complaining a 2-year history of diffuse AA with ophiasis pattern. Complimentary test performed including blood cell count, general biochemistry, erythrocite sedimentation rate, C reactive protein, thyroid profile, and autoantibodies showed no anomalies. A psychological evaluation of the patient who ruled out anxiety-depressive syndrome was carried out. The dermatology life quality index (DLQI) scored 6. Treatment with minipulses of dexamethasone 6 mg twice weekly, methotrexate weekly, and topical minoxidil daily was then started. After 6 months of treatment, dexamethasone was suspended because of the appearance of cushingoid signs on examination, and methotrexate because of gastrointestinal intolerance. Other treatments with no satisfactory response included intralesional corticosteroids (triamcinolone of 40 mg/mL per 1 mL injection every month), topical immunomodulation
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