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Clear cell morphology has been described in several cutaneous neoplasms either as a specific feature of some entities either as a morphological variant in the spectrum, and these two entities are frequently considered together in the differential diagnosis.We reviewed our series of cases occurred in our laboratory in order to further quantify the number of cases showing morphological features of tricholemmal differentiation and to investigate other clinical or histological difference. We retrieved 91 cases and, for each of them, all the clinical data regarding age, sex, clinical features, and clinical suspicious were collected, when available.The revision of the specimens concluded with a final diagnosis of tricholemmal carcinoma in 15 cases (17%), all the other cases were thus considered as squamous cell carcinoma with clear cell features. No statistically significant correlations were observed with the demografic or clinicopatholagical parameters such as age, sex or dimensions, but morphological revision highlighted a potentially greater "vertical" growth frequently not matched by a concomitant radial one in tricholemmal carcinoma than in squamous tumors.The debate upon the diagnostic distinction of these tumors is still ongoing with authors proposing the tricholemmal carcinoma as a variant of a squamous cell carcinoma rather than a distinct entity. Further studies are needed to confirm our data and to evaluate the reproducibility of this feature.

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that presents with nodules, abscesses and fistulae affecting the apocrine gland-bearing skin. Since few years, ultrasonography is used to better characterize HS skin lesions but comparison between clinical and sonographic scores has been made only in small series of patients. To assess concordance between clinical and sonographic scores in a larger cohort of HS patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study on 140 HS patients comparing two clinical score systems, Hurley and HS-Physical Global Assessment (PGA), with two ultrasonographic scores, sonographic score of hidradenitis suppurativa (SOS-HS) and ultrasonographic HS-PGA, a novel ultrasound scoring system set up by our group. We used the weighted Cohen's Kappa statistic (k) to evaluate the agreement. Results Agreement between Hurley staging and SOS-HS was found in 61.4% of patients (weighted kappa 0.477), while agreement between clinical and ultrasonography HS-PGA scores was found in 35% of patients (weighted kappa 0.278), both findings suggesting a substantial disagreement. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a relevant disagreement between clinical and ultrasonography scores. Ultrasonography discovered non-clinically evident HS lesions, notably fistulae. Taken together, the above findings may support the view, previously suggested in expert panel reports, on the higher sensitivity of ultrasonography compared to clinics in HS.

BACKGROUND Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair follicle that usually involves specific anatomic areas which are partially occluded, have a higher density of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands and a higher pH. These characteristics could promote the superinfection of certain group of bacteria. We aimed to describe the bacteria that can be isolated from hidradenitis lesions and to establish a correlation between bacteriological results and clinical data. METHODS We prospectively enrolled forty-six patients presenting purulent or seropurulent discharge. Sixty samples were performed using swabs, which were deeply introduced in the lesions. RESULTS Fifty-two percent of cultures resulted positive and fifteen bacterial species were isolated. The more prevalent species were Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Samples from advanced cases were more likely to yield a positive bacterial growth. CONCLUSIONS In our study the rate of positive cultures increased in more severe stages of the disease, thus bacterial superinfection of established lesions may contribute to maintain chronic inflammation. We could not find statistically significant correlation with the sampled anatomic area or specific group of bacteria. Larger prospective studies should be performed.

Background Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare endothelial neoplasm caused by the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Its risk is increased in immunocompromised patients, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune bullous diseases. Conversely, HHV-8 infection has been hypothesized to be a triggering factor of bullous diseases, especially pemphigus. Given the fact that both KS and autoimmune bullous diseases have a low incidence in the general population, it could be expected that the association between these disorders would be exceptional. Objectives To assess the frequency of bullous diseases in a large cohort of non-HIV KS patients and to describe our experience concerning the clinical features, natural history and treatment options in this setting. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients with non-HIV KS in association with bullous disease followed at our department between 1990 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, medical history, clinical characteristics and treatment. Results Among 1362 patients with classic or iatrogenic KS, 14 (1.03%) also suffered from bullous disease. The mean age at diagnosis of both disorders was 85.8 years with a male/female ratio of 9 : 5. Among these 14 cases, nine (0.66%) were associated with bullous pemphigoid (BP), three (0.22%) with localized BP and two (0.15%) with pemphigus vulgaris. Seven had developed a bullous disease after being diagnosed with KS, while in the remaining seven cases, KS developed after the onset of bullous disease. As expected, KS worsened when corticosteroids were used. Conclusion Bullous diseases seem to be more frequent among patients with KS, supporting the hypothesis that HHV-8 may be involved in their pathogenesis. Therapeutic management of these cases should take into account KS-inducing potential of corticosteroids.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects 2% to 4% of the population; about 20% of the patients present a moderate-to-severe form. The IL-23/Th17/IL-17 molecular axis is considered crucial in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and IL-17 is fundamental in the maintenance of the immune and inflammatory alterations causing psoriasis. Expression of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17C is strongly increased in psoriatic plaques. Effective therapy leads to restoration of the expression of a wide range of genes (including effector cytokines and chemokines downstream of IL-17) to near normal levels. Brodalumab is the first biologic drug targeting specifically the subunit A of the IL-17 receptor (IL-17RA) and thus inhibiting not only IL-17A but also other members of the IL-17 family. Brodalumab is very effective and safe in treating moderate-to severe psoriasis.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful inflamed nodules, recurrent abscesses and fistulas located in apocrine gland–bearing body sites. The negative impact of HS on patient's quality of life (QoL) has been reported to be greater than other dermatologic conditions as psoriasis and atopic eczema, and its improvement is an important goal in disease management. Nowadays, there are no specific validated QoL instruments available for HS and generic dermatologic questionnaires are used. Objective: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of HIDRAdisk, a new innovative tool designed for rapid assessment of HS burden and, at the same time, an intuitive graphic visualization of the measurement outcome. Methods: A multicentre, longitudinal, observational study was conducted to validate the HIDRAdisk compared with other validated questionnaires [Skindex-16, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment–General Health (WPAI:GH)] and to evaluate its correlation with disease severity in Italian patients with any degree of HS severity, as measured by Hurley stage and HS Physician Global Assessment (HS-PGA). Results: A total of 140 patients (59% women; mean age 34.9±11.0years) were enrolled in 27 dermatologic centres. HIDRAdisk showed a strong correlation with Skindex-16 and DLQI, and a good one with WPAI:GH (correlation coefficient: 0.7568, 0.6651 and 0.5947, respectively) and a statistically significant correlation with both Hurley stage and HS-PGA. Very good internal consistency (Cronbach coefficient >0.80; intraclass correlation coefficient >0.6), with correlation between the 10 items, good test–retest reliability (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.8331; P&nbsp

Hidradenitis suppurativa or acne inversa is an inflammatory, chronic disease of the hair follicles located in specific areas of the skin surface (axillae, submammary, inguinal and intergluteal folds, pubis, genitalia and buttocks). The diagnosis and the management of this disease are usually made by the dermatologist. However, the frequent association of hidradenitis suppurativa or acne inversa with important systemic comorbidities needs the cooperation with a number of specialists. In particular, the cooperation with rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, microbiologists/infectivologists, psychologists/psychiatrics and plastic surgeons is often helpful or necessary.

CD10, CD271 and Nestin, which are proteins associated with tumor-initiating properties and/or progression potential, have not been specifically studied on malignant melanoma (MM) with cutaneous recurrences.We evaluated the expression of CD10, CD271 and Nestin in 27 tumor samples from 16 patients. These tumor samples corresponded to 6 primary melanomas which developed 11 ITM and 10 primary melanomas without recurrences at 10-year follow-up from specimens obtained from surgical excisions of patients referred to the Unit of Dermatology, Department of Medical-Surgical and Transplant Physiopathology, University of Milan, between 2006 and 2016.We demonstrated a higher expression of CD271 and Nestin in primary tumors which recurred than control population, Nestin was expressed with significantly higher percentages in primary tumors than recurrences, and CD10 expression was statistically significant correlated with disease-free survival: cases with a lower score recurred lately than cases with higher scores.Our preliminary results suggested that CD271 and Nestin can be considered early biomarkers for the development of ITM, Nesting can be useful in differentiating primary MM from cutaneous recurrences and CD10 is associated with a rapid disease progression and may be considered a potential prognostic marker.

Spindle or epithelioid melanocytic (Spitz) nevi usually affect children or adolescents and growth in the face or the lower extremities. Histologically, they may show cytoarchitectural atypia and mitotic figures that could represent diagnostic pitfalls with malignant melanoma. Atypical spitzoid tumors (AST) indicate lesions that microscopically show intermediate characteristics between benign nevi and malignant melanoma. Nestin expression has been evaluated in benign nevi and malignant melanoma, but no studies on its role in Spitz lesion have been elaborated so far. Our results indicate that Nestin could allow to discriminate between AST and malignant spiztoid melanoma; the typical dermoscopic pattern is also associated with benign nevi in contrast to the atypical pattern that accumunates AST and malignant spitzoid melanoma.

Literature data about hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in patients with Down syndrome (DS) are limited. In this retrospective study, 6 (4M/2F; mean age: 18.7 years) out of 313 patients affected by HS (1.9%) had DS. The age of appearance of HS was from 9 to 14 years. No family history of HS was present. BMI ranged from 20.1 to 29.9. In all patients, HS was located below the diaphragm. Five out of six patients were staged as Hurley II severity.

SummaryA case of onychomycosis caused by Trichosporon mucoides in a man with diabetes is presented. The infection was characterized by a brown–black pigmentation of the nail plates and subungual hyperkeratosis of the first three toes of both feet. Onychogryphosis was also visible on the third left toe. Direct microscopic examinations revealed wide and septate hyphae and spores. Three cultures on Sabouraud–gentamicin–chloramphenicol 2 agar and chromID Candida agar produced white, creamy, and smooth colonies that were judged to be morphologically typical of T. mucoides. Microscopic examinations of the colonies showed arthroconidia and blastoconidia. The urease test was positive. A sugar assimilation test on yeast nitrogen base agar showed assimilation of galactitol, sorbitol, and arabinitol. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) confirmed the diagnosis of T. mucoides infection. The patient was treated with topical urea and oral itraconazole. Three months later, a mild improvement was observed. The patient was subsequently lost to follow-up.

Objectives Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) of the lips is rare. This study was conducted to investigate findings in patients with this condition. Methods From 2007 to date, we observed 10 patients (nine males and one female), with a median age of 45.2 years (range: 8–77 years), with CL of the lips. Results Six of the 10 patients suffered from nasal polyps, three from bronchial asthma, and one from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Three of the patients with nasal polyps also had asthma. Three patients had none of nasal polyps, asthma, or COPD. In all patients with nasal polyps, diagnosis was confirmed by anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy. Conclusions It is possible that, in patients with nasal polyps, asthma, and COPD, the need to breathe through the mouth rather than the nose facilitates the sting by sandflies. Subjects with nasal polyps living in areas endemic for CL should be warned about the risk for being stung by sandflies on the lips, in addition to other uncovered areas.

Cutaneous metastases represent 2% of all skin tumours. Their recognition can be challenging, as they may present with different clinical features, with consequent frequent delay and failure in diagnosis. To review our series of cutaneous metastatic lesions, analyse their frequency according to patient gender, histotype, localization of the primary tumour, and site of cutaneous metastasis, and correlate this data with clinicopathological parameters. We conducted a retrospective review of all cases of cutaneous metastases from visceral neoplasms diagnosed in our dermatopathology department from July 2003 to February 2017. We registered clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical data. Additional immunohistochemical staining panels were elaborated to confirm or identify the origin of the primary tumour, or at least to specify the histological subtype. We identified 45 histological diagnoses of cutaneous and mucocutaneous metastases. The primary tumour that was most likely to metastasize to the skin was breast cancer. Most cases of breast (89%) and lung cancer (86%) metastasized to the trunk. Of the lesions, 57.5% were nodules and 32.5% were plaques, more frequently multiple (64.4%). In 58% of cases, a metastasis was clinically suspected. Histological examination most frequently revealed an adenocarcinoma, sometimes suggestive of the site of origin. Cutaneous metastases should be primarily considered when discrete firm painless nodules emerge rapidly. Clinicians should carefully consider infiltrated lesions of the chest in women since scleroderma and erysipelas-like presentation can be a clue for undiagnosed breast cancer.

Key Clinical Message This clinical image shows the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of any suspicious skin lesion.

Modern therapy of acne is based also on moisturizers, cleansers and sunscreens. However, a few studies have been published on cleansers, and never in Italy.We decided to carry out an epidemiological study on the knowledge, beliefs and perceptions of acne patients regarding cleansers.The survey has been carried out in Italy in 2013-2014. A group of patients with acne completed a questionnaire which included 10 questions.One hundred and eighteen dermatologists and 786 evaluable acne patients attended the survey. Approximately 70% of patients use a specific anti-acne cleanser. This cleanser is suggested in 57% of cases by a dermatologist. The patients buy this cleanser at the pharmacy (77% of cases). More than 62% of patients are satisfied about this cleanser. More than 66% of patients use the cleanser twice daily. The length of washing is less than one minute in 48% of patients. More than 66% of patients believe that the cleanser has a therapeutical role.The results of this survey cannot be compared with other studies because of the lack of similar studies about this topic. These results suggest that a sample of Italian acne patients consider cleansers as an important adjuvant treatment in acne.

Background Hair is a unique character of mammals and has several functions, from protection of the skin to sexual and social communication. In literature, there are various studies about hair that take into consideration different aspects within many fields of science, including biology, dermatology, cosmetics, forensic sciences, and medicine. Methods We carried out a search of studies published in PubMed up to 2013. Results In this review, we summarized the principal anatomical and physiological aspects of the different types of human hair, and we considered the clinical significance of the different structures and the distribution of the hair in the human body. Conclusion This review could be the basis for improvement and progression in the field of hair research.