[Androgenetic alopecia: where do we stand in 2024?]

Androgenetic alopecia, the most prevalent type of hair loss, is characterized by a receding hairline in men and diffuse thinning of hair in women. Despite being considered a benign condition, it can exert a considerable psychological toll, especially on women and young men. Despite its high prevalence, only a limited number of medications have received approval for its treatment. In this article, we review the available treatment options, assessing their efficacy and potential side effects. Additionally, we explore minimally-invasive strategies such as photobiomodulation, micro-needling and platelet-rich plasma therapy. Furthermore, we delve into discussions on hair transplantation and camouflage methods.

Perforating Fibrous Histiocytoma Mimicking Keratoacanthoma: A Case Report

A 31-year-old male presented with a firm, well-demarcated, erythematous, crateriform, and ulcerated nodule in the left lumbar region, which persisted for 3 months. Clinically, a keratoacanthoma was suspected. The histological analysis was consistent with perforating fibrous histiocytoma, a rare histopathologic variant of fibrous histiocytoma. To our knowledge, this is the third case reported in the literature.

Clinicopathological features of cutaneous reactions after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous reactions, mostly on injection site after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, have been reported but not with detailed histopathological characterization.

OBJECTIVES

Characterization and classification of these reactions in a clinical and pathological point of view.

METHODS

Monocentric case series of 11 patients with cutaneous manifestations, clinically and histologically characterized after COVID-19 vaccination.

RESULTS

From January to June 2021, we recorded 11 cutaneous reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from BNT162b2 (n = 8) and mRNA-1273 (n = 3). Generalized reactions showing erythematous rash or purpura were the most common clinical presentation, and drug-reaction-like pattern was the most common histological finding.

CONCLUSIONS

A proper clinicopathological classification will be helpful in the early diagnosis and management of the cutaneous reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Morphological Analysis of Dermatoporosis by in vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy and Ultrasonography

Background

Dermatoporosis is defined as a chronic cutaneous fragility and insufficiency syndrome. It results from chronological aging, long-term and unprotected sun exposure, genetic factors, or the chronic use of topical and systemic corticosteroids. There is currently a lack of noninvasive tools for the evaluation and quantification of dermatoporosis.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to define the dermal-epidermal modifications which characterize dermatoporosis using noninvasive methods such as in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and ultrasound (US).

Subjects and Methods

Seventeen patients with stage I dermatoporosis and 14 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The posterior surface of the right forearm was analyzed in all subjects, and stellate pseudoscars and senile purpura in patients with dermatoporosis were analyzed when possible. We used a commercially available reflectance confocal microscope and measured different histometric parameters (thickness of the epidermis and its different layers, cellular architecture, aspect of the dermal-epidermal junction and the dermis). We also used a commercially available US skin system to define the dermal-epidermal thickness (DET) in all subjects.

Results

The DET measured with the US skin system was significantly different between the two groups: mean value 1.19 mm (volunteers group) versus 0.81 mm (patient group). The significant differences measured with RCM were (1) epidermal thickness, (2) number of dermal papillae, and (3) thickness of solar elastosis. Stellate pseudoscars are also characterized by a modified dermis, with a linear organization of the collagen bundles.

Conclusion

US and in vivo RCM are useful tools for the diagnosis of dermatoporosis. Dermal-epidermal atrophy, reduction of dermal papillae/area, and the thickness of dermal elastosis seem to be the major histometric parameters which characterize dermatoporosis.

Cutaneous Mucormycosis Resulting from Hematogenous Dissemination of Rhizomucor pusillus in an Immunocompromised Patient

Rhizomucor pusillus is an opportunistic fungus that causes infections (mucormycosis) in patients with a predisposing disease, such as diabetes mellitus and immunodeficiency. Classic manifestations are sinus, pulmonary, and skin infections. Skin lesions consist of tender, erythematous, indurated, and necrotic plaques. The diagnosis is made by identification of the organisms by histopathological analysis of the lesion, showing nonseptate fungal hyphae in the dermis and invasion of the vessel walls, or by means of cultures. Amphotericin B and surgery are the treatments of choice.

Successful Treatment of Scalp Myxedema with Injected Hyaluronidase: A Case Report

Localized myxedema is an uncommon complication of Graves' disease. It is characterized by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, particularly hyaluronate. Here we describe the case of a 51-year-old female patient suffering from Graves' disease, who has presented for years a thickening of the scalp, consistent with myxedema, and successfully treated with repeated injections of hyaluronidase.

[Evaluation and management of hyperhidrosis]

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating beyond what is expected for thermoregulatory needs. Nearly 3 % of the population has hyperhidrosis. It may be primary or secondary to medications or general medical conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson disease, etc. History taking and clinical examination are essential to differentiate primary from secondary origins. Blood tests and a consultation with a specialist (endocrinologist, neurologist) is sometimes necessary to establish the diagnosis. The management of secondary hyperhidrosis involves the treatment of the underlying cause. For primary hyperhidrosis, it depends on its severity and the sites affected. This article will review the treatments for primary hyperhidrosis.

Injected Hyaluronidase Reduces the Volume of Exogenous Hyaluronate Fillers in Mice and Results in Clinical Improvement in a Patient with Pretibial Myxedema

Background

Hyaluronidases are essential for the breakdown of hyaluronate (HA) in tissues and may be used to prevent the adverse effects of HA fillers.

Objectives

We explored the effect of hyaluronidase on exogenous and endogenous HA in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and Methods

HA fillers were incubated with different concentrations of hyaluronidase and visualized by electrophoresis. HA fillers were injected in the skin of hairless mice, and 4 h later hyaluronidase was injected in the papules of exogenous HA. Hyaluronidase was injected in the nodule of pretibial myxedema of a male patient with Graves' disease. Skin sections of mice and of the patient were performed, and a skin ultrasound system was used to monitor the evolution of skin lesions.

Results

Hyaluronidase showed a degrading effect on HA with increasing concentrations. Hyaluronidase injection significantly decreased the content of exogenous HA within 3 days. Intralesional injection of hyaluronidase resulted in dissolution of the nodule of pretibial myxedema with no recurrence during 3 months.

Conclusion

These results show that the injection of hyaluronidase is capable of degrading exogenous HA in mouse skin and endogenous HA in human skin in vivo and may be a therapeutic option for skin diseases characterized by abnormal accumulation of HA.

[Skin symptoms of psoriasis associated with spondylarthropathies]

The term spondylarthropathy summarizes a heterogenous group of diseases with spinal involvement as the common denominator. In this paper, we will primarily focus on cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis, as this dermatosis is associated with psoriatic artrhritis, one of the major diseases classified as spondylarthropathy. We will describe the clinical manifestations of psoriasis as well as the underlying pathophysiology, the latter allowing to understand the differences in efficacy of numerous Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) on joint versus skin symptoms. Additionally, we address the exacerbation of pre-existing psoriasis under DMARD therapy.

[Cellulitis: clinical manifestations and management]

Cellulitis is an acute bacterial non-necrotizing dermal-hypodermal infection predominantly affecting the lower limbs. It is characterised by a circumscribed erythema with a raised border and fever. The predisposing factors are skin wounds, edema from any cause and systemic factors (diabetes, immunosuppression). The diagnosis is clinical and the most common complication is recurrence. Other complications include local abscess, fasciitis and bacteremia. The germ is rarely identified. The majority of infections (85%) is due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The treatment of cellulitis consists of an association of an antibiotic with rest of the concerned area.

[Seborrhoeic dermatitis: clinical manifestations and management]

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a frequent chronic inflammatory dermatosis characterized by erythematous patches surmounted by fatty and yellowish scales, affecting particularly the scalp, the naso-labial folds and the eyebrows. Its etio-pathogeny is still not clear, but Malassezia type yeast appear to play a very important role in its development. Several conditions can be associated with high prevalency of seborrhoeic dermatitis (HIV, Parkinson's disease, Down's Syndrome). No curative treatment is available yet, but nevertheless the symptomatology can be controlled, mainly with topical treatments, and particularly antifungals. This article will develop first clinical and pathological aspects of the disease, then propose therapeutic recommendations based on evidences from the literature.