Dermatology Online Journal

Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a dermatologic skin condition that is often overlooked in its role as an indicator of underlying cardiovascular disorders. Recognizing the importance of AN beyond its cosmetic concerns is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Objective: Provide a review of AN and what every dermatologist should know of its underlying cardiovascular risk. Methods: A literature search through PubMed was performed. Terms used were "Acanthosis Nigricans," "hyperinsulinemia," "cardiovascular disease," "diabetes," "insulin resistance,". Further articles were found using source materials from included references. Inclusion criteria involved studies showing the association between AN and cardiovascular risks, with a specific focus on obesity and insulin resistance. Results: Acanthosis nigricans increases risks of obesity and insulin resistance as individuals with AN exhibited a 2.6-fold higher likelihood of insulin resistance, independent of other factors. Acanthosis nigricans surpassed other risk factors in classifying individuals at risk for type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: Recognizing the association of AN with cardiovascular disease provides an opportunity for early intervention, focusing on weight management and underlying metabolic disorders to improve both cosmetic concerns and cardiovascular health. Dermatologists should consider AN as a signal that prompts referral for a thorough assessment for associated metabolic diseases.

All types of alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and lichen planopilaris/frontal fibrosing alopecia, affect over half of men and women. Though a common dermatological experience, many patients with visible hair loss report significant psychological and social distress and, consequently seek treatment. Current existing therapeutic regimens have proven to be efficacious, though may result in various adverse effects and require lifelong use. Laser and light-based therapies have been emerging in the current literature as a safe and alternative treatment, but their utilization for treating alopecia is poorly understood. This review evaluates the existing evidence regarding the use of lasers in the treatment of various forms of alopecia. Overall, there has been promising evidence for potential alopecia treatment efficacy: low-level light therapy for androgenetic alopecia, fractional laser for androgenetic alopecia, and excimer laser for alopecia areata.

Importance: The call for robust randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) with wide local excision for treatment of melanoma has stymied the development of guidelines for MMS despite growing evidence of benefit. This commentary explores the controversy by detailing opposing arguments, reviewing the relevant evidence supporting the use of MMS for early-stage melanoma, and discussing the role that RCTs may play in development of national guidelines for surgical treatment options for melanoma. Randomized clinical trials are considered the gold standard of clinical research, but there are no such trials currently to support MMS for melanoma. However, there is a growing literature base of retrospective and prospective cohorts and meta-analyses consistently demonstrating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of MMS for melanoma. The dearth of clear consensus guidelines has contributed to confusion by referring specialties, controversy across specialties managing melanoma, and inequality in access. Recognizing that this is an ongoing area of discussion within dermatologic surgery, we explore opposing arguments with regard to the demand for RCT data to support dermatologic surgery practices.

This commentary underscores the urgent issue of limited access to dermatologic care in rural areas, leading to adverse health outcomes. With only 10% of dermatologists practicing in rural America, the "rural mortality penalty" contributes to escalating morbidity and mortality. Disparities in dermatologist distribution, particularly in minority-majority counties with lower incomes, worsen health inequities. Despite these challenges, initiatives such as pipeline programs, rural university offices, rural dermatology residency tracks, teledermatology, and Project ECHO (a collaborative model of medical education and care) are promising. This commentary stresses the need for academic dermatologists to recruit more rural medical students and train more residents with a rural upbringing. This predicts future practice in such communities. Immediate action to address the widening rural dermatology gap is needed. The formation of the Rural Access to Dermatology Society, with its first meeting in the spring of 2024 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, is a key part of this process.

Melanoma is a life-threatening tumor that significantly impacts individuals' health and society worldwide. Therefore, its diagnostic tools must be revolutionized, representing the most remarkable human efforts toward successful management. This retrospective study includes the multidimensional analysis of five melanomas in a man in our clinic including whole-body photography, dermatoscopy, artificial intelligence system, genetic test, and the final histopathological conclusion. The correlation between findings in each diagnostic step is discussed. The value of the melanoma grading system will be the application in high-risk lesions to make the right management decision.

Exudative (wet) age-related macular degeneration can be treated with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-inhibiting monoclonal antibody bevacizumab. Currently, bevacizumab therapy is associated with known skin-related side effects, such as rash, mucosal hemorrhage, and hemorrhagic ulcers. While subungual "splinter" hemorrhage is a documented side effect of VEGF receptor antagonists and Raf protein inhibitors, there are no prior reports of bevacizumab-induced subungual hemorrhage to the best of our knowledge. Thus, we present the case of a 71-year-old female diagnosed with bilateral age-related macular degeneration, who, during six months of intravitreal bevacizumab treatment, began noticing fingernail discoloration, described as similar to that of a bruise. Given our patient's history of bevacizumab therapy and the documented reports of bevacizumab-associated mucosal and ulcerative hemorrhage, we hypothesize that the discoloration and hemorrhage are likely unreported adverse effects associated with bevacizumab therapy.

Protothecosis is a rare but emerging infectious disease, caused by algae from the genus Prototheca. It presents predominantly as cutaneous lesions and poses a diagnostic challenge owing to its diverse clinical presentation. Typically, it occurs in exposed areas of the skin, associated with trauma. Diagnosis relies mainly on histopathology and culture. This article presents an elderly diabetic woman with cutaneous protothecosis from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We emphasize clinical features, histopathology, and successful treatment with itraconazole, along with a brief review of the 12 previously reported cases from Brazil.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis is a rare, benign, acquired, gradually-developing chronic elastic tissue disorder that almost exclusively affects post-menopausal women. It is essential to recognize this disease as it mimics the inherited pseudoxanthoma clinically. The pathophysiology behind this disease is multifactorial; it includes intrinsic skin aging, ultraviolet radiation exposure, and genetic components. We report two patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum-papillary dermal elastolysis diagnosis based on clinicopathologic correlation in two post-menopausal women who presented with multiple asymptomatic papules over the neck that developed gradually without systemic involvement, and were managed conservatively. We also discuss this disease's clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathologic features.

Granuloma annulare (GA) is an idiopathic inflammatory skin condition with a chronic and unpredictable course. Although localized GA is usually cleared with topical or systemic corticosteroids, generalized GA is often difficult to treat owing to the lack of treatment options and recurrence with treatment. Recent evidence has helped to elucidate the etiology behind GA, with growing confirmation for the use of JAK inhibitors as a possible treatment for GA. We present a 61-year-old woman with recalcitrant GA who responded successfully to pulse therapy upadacitinib, a JAK1 inhibitor. Our findings demonstrate the utility of this alternative and practical treatment strategy that may reduce the cumulative toxicity of upadacitinib and optimize its risk/benefit ratio.

Idiopathic gingival papillokeratosis with crypt formation (IGPC) is a new and a very rare benign entity, clinically characterized by white-yellowish plaques with papillary architecture located in the upper labial gingiva of adolescent patients. The condition generally exhibits a bilateral symmetrical distribution and is asymptomatic. We report two new cases, one with a classic presentation and the other in an older individual. Through these case reports, we describe and highlight the key clinical and histopathological features associated with IGPC for greater understanding and knowledge by general dentists, oral pathologists, and dermatologists.

Patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis occasionally present with cutaneous manifestations, which are important clues for the early diagnosis. Although pyoderma gangrenosum-like ulcers are rarely observed, a unique case with unusual clinical features is presented herein. A 75-year-old woman with positive proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) repeatedly developed aseptic abscesses on the abdomen, buttock, lower legs, and forearms. Histopathological features of biopsy taken from ulcers showed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells without leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The present case was initially diagnosed as limited granulomatosis with polyangiitis without renal and lung involvement. However, two years later, she died of cerebral hemorrhage.

Infantile perianal pyramidal protrusion is characterized by a light pink to skin-colored soft tissue protrusion that is often midline and anterior [A1]to the anus. It most commonly occurs in young females and is relatively asymptomatic. Although biopsies are not routinely done, histopathology is relatively nonspecific and can appear similar to an acrochordon. The differential diagnosis is broad and clinical misdiagnosis as condyloma can lead to unnecessary accusations of child abuse. We report a case of perianal pyramidal protrusion that was originally biopsied owing to concern of condyloma acuminatum or molluscum. This case raises awareness of this diagnosis to help avoid unnecessary procedures and prevent emotional distress that could come for families with an inaccurate diagnosis of condyloma in young children.

A right-hand-dominant female presented 5 weeks following a right middle finger intralesional cantharidin injection for a common wart by a dermatologist. The patient experienced progressive stiffness, blistering, swelling, pain, and ultimately, full-thickness skin necrosis surrounding the injection site. Careful debridement followed by a full-thickness skin graft was performed with no evidence of involvement of the germinal matrix or terminal extensor tendon. At the 7-month postoperative mark, the patient's graft exhibited favorable healing and improved functionality that did not require further follow-up. Intralesional injection of cantharidin solutions for digital warts leads to progressive skin necrosis. Our case required prompt debridement and defect coverage. Involvement of the underlying anatomical structures was also a concern. Dermatologists and hand surgeons should be familiar with this complication as intralesional cantharidin injections are contraindicated.

Lactation anaphylaxis is extremely rare and has been scarcely reported in the literature. Breast feeding and/or milk expression immediately induces life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, including generalized urticaria, angioedema, respiratory symptoms, and hypotension. Six English-language case reports have described the clinical course in detail. The present report describes a case involving a 24-year-old woman with no history of allergic reactions or anaphylaxis who experienced anaphylactic reactions three times immediately after milk expression. Lactation anaphylaxis was suspected when a detailed medical history revealed lactation-related recurrent anaphylactic symptoms. The authors prescribed bromocriptine to stop lactation and switched her to formula feeding, which resulted in no further anaphylactic episodes. Based on a review of the relevant literature, this report describes the characteristics of lactation anaphylaxis and possible management strategies. The pathogenesis of lactation anaphylaxis has been inferred from various experimental results.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies that can lead to cutaneous metastasis. Dermatopathologists often play an important role in the diagnosis of breast cancer metastasis to the skin. Rarely, dermatopathologists render a histopathologic diagnosis of primary breast cancer. We discuss a 51-year-old man with metastatic breast adenocarcinoma who presented after admission to the intensive care unit in the setting of altered mental status and critical anemia. Examination revealed a 14cmx12cm ulcerated, fungating tumor occupying the left breast. A four mm punch biopsy from the mass showed cords of atypical cells infiltrating the mid-to-deep dermis positive for CK7, GATA3, ER and PR. CK20, P40, p63, and TTF1 stains were negative. HER2/NEU immunoperoxidase stain was negative. CA15-3 was elevated at 75U/ml. Taken together, he was diagnosed with primary left breast ductal adenocarcinoma, grade two with subsequent visceral metastases to the bones, lymph nodes, and lungs. Although male breast cancer makes up less than 1% of all breast cancers, its incidence has been increasing worldwide. Recognition of the unique clinical and histologic findings of primary breast carcinoma is important to avoid delay in the diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment.