Macular lymphocytic arteritis: first clinical presentation with ulcers

Macular lymphocytic arteritis describes a recently reported entity, clinically characterized by asymptomatic hyperpigmented macules on the lower limbs, without association of systemic diseases. Histopathologically it is characterized by a lymphocytic arteritis with a hyalinized fibrin ring. We report a new case presenting with ulceration, a finding not previously described. A 25-year-old Hispanic woman was evaluated for a 1-year history of a gradually progressive, asymptomatic eruption that begins at level of both knees and progressively affects both legs and feet. She also referred recently appeared ulcers on inner right ankle without previous traumatism. Physical examination revealed multiple fairly well-defined light brown and faint pink patches with petechiae on as well as retiform crusts and livedoid lesions on inner right ankle. Both types of lesions were biopsied showing lymphocytic arteritis with fibrinoid necrosis and thrombus. There were no relevant laboratory alterations. The clinical peculiarity of our case is the clinical image of the lesions mimicking a pigmented purpuric dermatosis and the presence of a non-traumatic ulcer which could be explained because chronic lymphocytic damage may cause ischemic damage. Ulceration in our case supports consideration of macular arteritis as a latent form of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.

Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia secondary to cutaneous extravasation of docetaxel: report of three cases

Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia is characterized by the metaplasia of cuboidal epithelial cells of the eccrine sweat ducts into squamous epithelial cells. It has been associated with several conditions including chemotherapy-related bilateral dermatitis, an entity that can take place in body areas rich in eccrine glands, as well as in acral erythema related to chemotherapy. Only a few cases because of cutaneous extravasation of chemotherapy have been previously reported. We report three cases of eccrine squamous syringometaplasia secondary to extravasation of docetaxel.

[Neutrophilic urticaria or urticaria with predominantly neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate: study of its clinical and histopathologic characteristics and its possible association with rheumatic disease]

INTRODUCTION

Neutrophilic urticaria, described by Winkelmann in 1985, has yet to be completely defined and its clinical significance is poorly understood. Nevertheless, recent publications suggest that it could be a marker for rheumatic disease. The primary objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of rheumatic disease in 2 groups of patients with urticaria: those with conventional urticaria (non-neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate) and those with neutrophilic urticaria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all biopsy samples taken from urticarial lesions in our hospital between January 1, 1999 and June 28, 2009. Urticaria was classified according to predefined morphologic and histopathologic patterns. We compared the clinical and histologic characteristics of neutrophilic urticaria with those of conventional urticarias in the 84 patients included.

RESULTS

Of the 84 patients, 57.1% had neutrophilic urticaria. We did not find significant differences between the percentages of patients with rheumatic disease between the neutrophilic and nonneutrophilic urticaria groups. In patients with acute urticaria, we found a significantly higher proportion of samples with histopathologic signs of neutrophilic urticaria as opposed to conventional histopathology. Patients with neutrophilic urticaria also had higher white blood cell counts.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of samples with neutrophilic urticaria in this series (57.1%) is higher than the percentages reported in the literature, possibly because we tended to biopsy recent lesions. We highlight that the presence of neutrophils in the biopsies of urticaria is a common finding and does not appear to be associated with other diseases.

Basic concepts in skin biopsy. Part I

The aim of these reviews is to describe the reasons for performing skin biopsy, to provide indications for the choice of area to be biopsied and the preparation of the sample, and to summarize the various complications of dermatologic surgery. In addition, we present a guide for selecting the biopsy technique based on the suspected diagnosis and on the area to be biopsied. Finally, the various artifacts that can complicate interpretation of results are described, together with the methods used to prevent their appearance insofar as is possible. The aim of this guide is to improve the diagnostic yield of biopsies and to highlight the importance of a correct clinical-histological correlation.

Late-onset acquired generalized lipodystrophy with muscle involvement

Acquired generalized lipodystrophy (ALG) is a rare disorder characterized by the loss of adipose tissue and often found in association with metabolic disorders. Its onset is extremely rare in patients over 65 years, with only 1 case reported to date. Furthermore, there have been no reports of associated muscle involvement in ALG. We present the case of a 78-year-old woman who experienced almost complete loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue over 6 years. During this period, she was also successively diagnosed with hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypothyroidism, hepatic steatosis, and diabetes mellitus. Possible causes of cachexia, such as infections, neoplasms, and gastrointestinal disorders, were ruled out. The patient's creatinine kinase levels were repeatedly elevated and electromyography showed a myopathic pattern, although the biopsy and strength tests were normal.

Solar urticaria unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulins

The treatment of solar urticaria (SU) can be difficult. Only a few cases of SU have been treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) (as monotherapy or combined with phototherapy), with reported fast and durable increase of solar exposure tolerance. A 61-year-old female with severe UVB- and UVA-induced SU and a 62-year-old female with severe UVA and visible light-induced SU were both treated with a single course of IVIg (total dose of 2 g/kg), infused over 3 days. Phototest, performed 3 months after the treatment, showed only a slight minimal urticating dose improvement, and both patients reported just a moderate and 'transient' subjective improvement. Our patient's poorer response, compared with previous reports, may be due to differences in IVIg's treatment schedules, which are reviewed.