Acquired port-wine stain with superimposed eczema following penetrating abdominal trauma

Port-wine stains (PWSs), or capillary malformations, are common congenital lesions, but acquired lesions rarely present in the setting of trauma. We present the case of an 18-year-old man who developed a PWS and associated localized eczema following penetrating trauma to the left abdomen. The diagnoses were confirmed on biopsy. The patient's eczema improved with topical steroids. Magnetic resonance imaging of PWSs is recommended in order to rule out deeper arteriovenous malformations. More research is needed to elucidate the connection between PWS pathophysiology and the development of eczema.

Measurement of disease severity in cutaneous autoimmune diseases

The development of disease-specific outcome instruments for several autoimmune skin diseases including cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), dermatomyositis, vitiligo, pemphigus and alopecia areata has facilitated the objective assessment of disease in clinical trials. Validation of these instruments provides reliable tools to measure disease severity and therapeutic effect in clinical studies. However, the existence of multiple outcome measures for each disease and the lack of uniformity between studies has created a challenge in comparing results across trials. Efforts to address this issue include the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) initiative and international meetings directed at reaching a consensus. Other challenges with the use of outcome measures include difficulties measuring change in mild disease, measuring response in topical studies, and capturing disease activity in skin with extensive post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.