[Granuloma eosinophilicum faciei simulating rhinophyma. Therapeutic long-term outcome after surgical intervention]

Microdebrider-Assisted Rhinophyma Excision

Rhinophyma represents a progressive deformity of the nose which leads to cosmetic disfigurement and has a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. This pathological entity originates from hyperplasia of sebaceous gland tissue, connective tissue, and vessels of the nose and is associated with rosacea and more specifically, stage III rosacea. Surgical treatment is the method of choice. We present five cases of rhinophyma that we treated with microdebrider-assisted excision. The procedure was divided in two main steps: scalpel excision of the main bulk of the rhinophyma and then further contouring with the microdebrider. All patients had weekly follow-up for the first four weeks, and then three-monthly. All patients had uneventful recovery and satisfactory cosmetic outcomes. No postoperative infections or other complications were reported in our case series. The use of the microdebrider reduces the operating time, preserves the islands of skin regeneration, and allows finer manipulations than the standard scalpel techniques. Microdebrider-assisted rhinophyma excision is a safe approach, with good aesthetic results. Larger series of patients need to be examined in order to establish the value of the method.

Optimizing cosmesis with conservative surgical excision in a giant rhinophyma

Rhinophyma is considered the end stage in the development of rosacea, with a clinical aspect characterized by sebaceous hyperplasia, fibrosis, follicular plugging, and telangiectasia. Although the treatment of rhinophyma typically has an aesthetic purpose, in some cases it also can help with nasal obstruction and eating difficulties caused by rhinophyma beyond the abnormal physical appearance that can cause social seclusion. Very few giant rhinophymas have been reported in the literature. In most cases full-thickness excision of the rhinophymatous tissue down to perichondrium and periosteum of the nasal osteocartilaginous framework followed by coverage of the residual defect with a full-thickness skin graft or local flap has been described in patients affected by giant rhinophyma. The poor results of this approach encouraged us to manage conservatively a very severe form of rhinophyma. We describe the case of a 62-year-old man who presented with a 12-year history of a progressively growing mass on the nose and with a history of nasal obstruction and eating difficulties. We advocate a careful tangential excision of the rhinophymatous tissue which allows the residual deep pilosebaceous appendages to reepithelialize as a safe method and provides a good cosmetic result with minimal scarring. To our knowledge this is the first case of a giant rhinophyma treated with conservative excision followed by secondary healing.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

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[Extrafacial granuloma eosinophilicum]

Three patients with a rare extrafacial granuloma eosinophilicum are presented. Lesions were localized on the scalp, the upper back or the upper arm. Only one patient had a typical facial granuloma eosinophilicum at the same time. Diagnosis was established by histopathology. The histopathological findings vary with the age of the lesion. Early lesions are characterized by a vasculitis with many eosinophils separated by a Grenz zone from epidermis and follicular structures. With time the inflammation changes and hyalin fibrosis takes place.

New treatment modalities for granuloma faciale

Granuloma faciale (GF) is a rare, chronic skin disorder in which numerous treatment modalities have been used without any consistent long-term effect. We report three cases of GF, two of which were successfully treated with the Laserscope potassium-titanyl-phosphate 532-nm laser within 2 weeks and one with topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1%. Our observations suggest that these new treatment modalities for GF, which we report here for the first time, can provide effective and non-invasive treatment for this disease.

Rhinophyma: review and update

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this article, the participant should be able to discuss: 1. Clinical features and anatomy of rhinophyma. 2. The etiology and epidemiology of rhinophyma. 3. Associated diagnosis that can complicate rhinophyma. 4. Common nonsurgical and surgical therapies for rhinophyma. 5. A safe and integrated treatment plan for the patient with rhinophyma.