Interferons: unapproved uses, dosages, or indications

Tumid lupus erythematosus: an unusual scleredema-like presentation

A 43-year-old white man presented with an 8-month history of redness and swelling on the back of the neck. He also noted a decrease in range of motion of his upper body. There was no improvement with a 4-week course of topical corticosteroids. Review of systems was negative for polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and bone pain. His medical history included depression, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and microdiscectomy. His medications included sertraline and omeprazole. Physical examination revealed a 20-cm erythematous, indurated plaque on the posterior part of the upper back and neck (Figure 1). A lack of skin wrinkling was noted with lateral pressure. Biopsy revealed a periadnexal and mild interface dermatitis with an increase in connective tissue mucin as demonstrated with colloidal iron (Figures 2A and 2B). Serum protein electrophoresis, hemoglobin A1C, and antinuclear antibody titer were within normal limits. A diagnosis of tumid lupus erythematosus mimicking scleredema was made. Hydroxychloroquine therapy was started at a dose of 200 mg and, at 2 months' follow-up, the patient's symptoms and appearance were improved.

Scleromyxedema: An experience using treatment with systemic corticosteroid and review of the published work

Scleromyxedema, a rare cutaneous mucinosis of unknown cause, is a variant of generalized papular mucinosis that is also known as generalized lichen myxedematosus. It is characterized clinically by generalized papular or scleroderma-like eruptions. Histopathological examination reveals mucin deposition and a proliferation of fibroblasts in the upper dermis. We describe the case of a man with scleromyxedema treated with systemic corticosteroids whose skin lesions improved gradually within 4 weeks.

UVA-1 as a treatment for scleredema

Scleredema is a rare disease that is difficult to treat. Many therapies have been tried with varied and somewhat inconsistent results. Here we report two cases of scleredema successfully treated with low-dose UVA-1.

Use of immunosuppressive agents in uveitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes current patterns in the use of immunosuppressive agents in patients with uveitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

A number of immunosuppressive agents are currently available for the treatment of uveitis. Reports of safety and efficacy, although numerous, have been largely nonrandomized and performed without controls, limiting, to some extent, the strength and generalizability of their conclusions. Nonetheless, the volume of case reports and case series provides compelling evidence that immunosuppressive agents are effective at providing long-term control in patients with moderate to severe chronic or recurrent uveitis. The choice of immunosuppressive agent is complex, and depends on the cause and severity of the patient's underlying inflammation, the presence or absence of associated systemic inflammation, and the patient's prior response to immunosuppressive treatments.

SUMMARY

Although corticosteroids remain the primary initial treatment for patients with uveitis, use of noncorticosteroid immunosuppressive agents in selected patients with uveitis allows for improved control and decreased risk of corticosteroid-induced side effects.