Hyperkeratotic head and neck Malassezia dermatosis

BACKGROUND

Pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor) is a common skin disorder due to Malassezia usually affecting adolescents and young adults, more frequently in the tropics. Facial involvement, isolated or not, is not frequent in white adults.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we report a possible atypical hyperkeratotic form of dermatosis of the face, in two young immunocompetent Caucasian patients, particularly recalcitrant to therapy.

RESULTS

Skin scrapings grew yeasts belonging to the genus Malassezia, including both M. globosa and M. sympodialis. This unusual variant needs long-term therapy with systemic and topical imidazoles together with facial cleansing.

CONCLUSION

We propose the name hyperkeratotic head and neck Malassezia dermatosis for this distinctive clinical entity. This variant of pityriasis versicolor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis and dermatitis neglecta.

[Cocaine-related localized necrotic livedo]

INTRODUCTION

The cutaneous signs of toxicomania are better known since the last two decades. We describe an original case of segmental necrotic and chronic livedo of the right arm associated with cocaine use.

OBSERVATION

A 31 year-old intravenous cocaine user presented a necrotic and painful livedo of the right arm. Two years before referral, localized recurrent edema was noted without general involvement. No local (infectious, vascular) or general (dysimmunity, coagulation abnormalities) aetiologies could be found. An amorphic substance composed of mineral bodies was found in the dermis, without damage to the vessels. Dramatic improvement was obtained with simple supportive care, while intravenous injections were stopped.

DISCUSSION

The vasoconstrictive properties of cocaine have been demonstrated in Raynaud's phenomenon, ischemia, focal necrosis of the extremities, and also in liver and kidney disorders. This drug has pharmacological effects on endothelial cells and coagulation, explaining the arterial and venous thrombosis reported. The foreign bodies found in our patient probably came from an intraarterial injection. The progressive and chronic evolution, without any evidence of thrombosis at the time of examination, are suggestive of the vasoconstrictive action of chronic dermal deposits.

[Facial hemangioma associated with arterial anomalies, coarctation of the aorta, and eye abnormalities: PHACES syndrome]

BACKGROUND

Hemangiomas are frequent in childhood. Their association with dysmorphic anomalies is rare. Recently, the acronym "PHACES syndrome" was proposed to emphasize the association of Posterior fossa malformations, Hemangiomas, Arterial anomalies, Coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, Eye abnormalities, and Sternal malformations.

CASE REPORT

A female child, 3 months old, had a large facial hemangioma. The physical examination was normal otherwise. A choroidal hemangioma and a papillary abnormality, causing amblyopia, were detected. The brain magnetic resonance imaging was normal. A subglottic hemangioma was found at endoscopy. At the age of 16 months, physical examination disclosed a heart murmur and coarctation of the aorta was detected. Moreover, the cardiac angiography showed diffuse arterial lesions. Strict surveillance was decided as there were no manifestations.

DISCUSSION

Different abnormalities have been described to be associated with large facial hemangiomas. Frieden has grouped these abnormalities under the acronym PHACES. She described 43 hemangiomas and found 74 p. 100 Dandy Walker malformations and other posterior fossa malformations, 41 p. 100 arterial anomalies, 26 p. 100 cardiac or aortic malformations, 23 p. 100 ophthalmologic abnormalities. There is a high risk for the hemangiomas to develop in an airway localization. The prevalence of facial hemangiomas associated with other malformations is, to our knowledge, not known. In our department, 56 children were treated with corticosteroid therapy for severe facial hemangioma. 11 p. 100 had a cerebral abnormality. There were no cases with cardiac malformation or dysmorphism. PHACES syndrome is very rare but easy to remember. Thus in patients presenting a large facial hemangioma, it is important to conduct an attentive neurological examination completed by brain imaging and an extensive cardiovascular exploration. Special attention should be given to the ophthalmologic and sternal examinations as well as the search for hemangiomas in an airway localization.