Atrophic pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma presenting as infraorbital hyperpigmentation

Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Two case reports and literature review

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare, locally aggressive, slowly growing cutaneous fibroblastic sarcoma with a high recurrence rate and low metastatic potential. Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare variant usually presents as atrophic plaques, easily neglected and misdiagnosed as benign lesions by patients and dermatologists. Here we report two cases of atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, one of which was accompanied by pigment, and review other cases have been reported in the literature. Understanding the most up-to-date literature and early identification of these dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans variants can help clinicians avoid delayed diagnosis and improve prognosis.

Atrophic Pigmented Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: A Case Report and Literature Review

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma characterized by the proliferation of spindle cells arranged in a storiform pattern. Here we report a case of DFSP presenting as a bluish-black atrophic plaque. The tumor had the histopathologic characteristics of both the pigmented and atrophic variants of DFSP. We describe the histopathologic, molecular, and imaging features of this patient and review other cases of DFSP that have been reported in the literature. Early identification of this DFSP variant can help clinicians implement clinical management strategies to prevent recurrence.

Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a clinicopathological study of 16 cases

We present a case series of atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) to further characterise its clinical and pathological features. Sixteen cases were enrolled in the study. There were five males and 11 females with a median age of 28 years. The vast majority occurred in the trunk (12/16, 75%), whereas a minority involved the upper limb or limb gird (2/16, 12.5%), and head and neck region (2/16, 12.5%). The most common presentation was a depressed plaque-like lesion with a greyish-red to purplish-blue colour. Histologically, the lesion was dermal-based consisting of monomorphous spindle cells arranged in parallel fascicles with focal areas displaying storiform architecture. In addition, one case showed remarkable hyalinisation of the matrix, two cases contained scattered pigmented dendritic cells and one case had admixed giant cell fibroblastoma-like component, respectively. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical study, and by further fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis in six cases. Follow-up thus far has revealed a relatively low rate of local recurrence (1/10, 10%). Familiarity with the distinctive clinical and pathological features of atrophic DFSP helps avoid misdiagnosis. Like a classical DFSP, morphological variants can also occur in an atrophic DFSP, including pigmented, sclerosing and hybrid subtypes, albeit rare.

Ophthalmologic aspects of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: A systematic review in the context of a rare case of primary orbital involvement

OBJECTIVE

To provide a systematic review on ophthalmologic presentations of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) in conjunction with a case report of primary orbital involvement by this tumor.

METHODS

A thorough electronic search on PubMed, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE and web of science databases was performed. All available data from reported cases along with our described case were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS

We describe a 66-year-old male with primary orbital DFSP who was managed by total excision of the tumor without recurrence after 18 months of follow-up. In the literature, 14 studies reporting 15 cases were identified and reviewed. Our review topics included epidemiology, clinical presentations, pathologic features, differential diagnosis, imaging, treatment and prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Rarely, but crucially, ophthalmologists may encounter DFSP in the orbital or periorbital area. They should be familiar with the pathologic nature and treatment options for this tumor. This diagnosis should be kept in mind when approaching a case with a non-tender, nodular, firm, mass or more rarely an indenting orbital mass.

Quantitative assessment of allergic shiners in children with allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

The knowledge on allergic shiners is extremely limited. A conceivable tool able to quantify allergic shiners has not been established.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the significance and changeability of allergic shiners through our newly developed computerized method.

METHODS

We developed a novel computerized method to measure allergic shiners and enrolled a cohort of children with or without allergic rhinitis. Children with allergic rhinitis were prospectively assessed. A standardized digital photograph was taken during each visit, and a modified Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire was completed. Subject global assessment for nose symptoms and subject global assessment for eye symptoms (SGAE) were self-recorded daily.

RESULTS

We included 126 children with allergic rhinitis and 123 healthy control subjects. One hundred three (82%) participants with allergic rhinitis completed at least 4 prospective assessments. Shiners were darker (P < .001) and larger (P < .001) in children with allergic rhinitis. Darkness and sizes of allergic shiners were paradoxically inversely correlated (P = .02). Darkness of allergic shiners positively correlated with the duration of allergic rhinitis, practical problem scores, and SGAE values (P = .02, P = .004, and P = .002, respectively), but sizes of allergic shiners did not. Shiners were found to be darker in children with scores of eye symptoms of greater than 6, scores of practical problems of greater than 5, and SGAE values of greater than 0 (P = .02, P < .001, and P = .003, respectively), whereas shiners were larger in children with scores of other symptoms of greater than 9 and activity limitations of greater than 4 (P = .02 and P = .002, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Computer-analyzed allergic shiners correlate with the chronicity and severity of allergic rhinitis.

Neurofibromatous changes in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a potential pitfall in the diagnosis of a serious cutaneous soft tissue neoplasm

BACKGROUND

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a low-grade malignant neoplasm that has the potential for aggressive local growth and destruction if not treated appropriately. Although the storiform arrangement of spindle cells in DFSP is relatively characteristic, histologic patterns simulating other benign as well as malignant neoplasms such as dermatofibroma, neurofibroma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and atypical fibroxanthoma have been described.

METHODS

We collected and analyzed six cases of probable DFSP in which a specific diagnosis could not be rendered due to the predominant neurofibromatous changes in the histologic sections. In an attempt to reach a definitive diagnosis, the clinical history and physical characteristics of the lesions were taken into account, and all cases were further evaluated using immunostaining for CD34 and S-100 protein.

RESULTS

The average age of the patient was 56 years (range 21-80), and the male to female ratio was 1 : 1. The location of lesions included the scalp, neck, back, and abdomen. All cases displayed two distinct histological patterns: (i) a proliferation of spindle cells with wavy nuclei in a loose mucinous stroma suggesting neural differentiation and (ii) a proliferation of spindle cells which interweaved and filled the reticular dermis extending into the subcutis. The wide variety of clinical impressions and descriptions indicated that the diagnoses were not always straightforward, and clinical information did not always assist in the clinicopathologic correlation. All lesions stained positively for CD34; however, three of six cases also stained positively for S-100. The three cases which were CD34 positive and S-100 negative were likely DFSP, and this was the final diagnosis given. The three cases that were CD34 and S-100 positive did not allow for a straightforward diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

DFSP may demonstrate areas with features more characteristic of a benign neural lesion, such as a neurofibroma, which can lead to underdiagnosis and subsequent failure to treat. Clinicians and pathologists should recognize this potential diagnostic pitfall and understand that equivocal clinical information, combined with non-specific immunohistochemical staining patterns, can further complicate the dilemma. In these situations, where DFSP is the likely diagnosis but definitive evidence cannot be obtained, full excision of the lesion should be recommended to avoid mistreatment of a potentially malignant lesion.

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

OBJECTIVE

To describe a patient wtih dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans causing a nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).

DESIGN

Case report.

PARTICIPANT

A 33-year-old female with an NLDO.

RESULTS

We report a patient with NLDO as the presenting sign of a rare tumor of the skin, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. The patient presented with epiphora, and after dacryocystorhinostomy was done, histopathology revealed dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. The clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology are discussed.

CONCLUSION

Obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system can be seen with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: case report, review, and proposed molecular mechanisms

We report a case of atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, an uncommon clinical variant. We discuss molecular and genetic mechanisms of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans tumorigenesis, review the literature on atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and pose a molecular mechanism for the atrophic variant's phenotype. We also describe using Mohs micrographic excision with CD34 immunostains on the frozen sections to definitively treat the tumor.