Dermatopathology
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About 20 years after its first description, Annular Lichenoid Dermatitis of Youth (ALDY) is recognized as a distinctive lichenoid dermatosis with specific clinical and histological features. The disease occurs mostly in young persons all over the world, runs a chronic course, and has an obscure etiopathogenesis. Clinically, lesions consist of persistent, asymptomatic erythematous macules and round-oval annular patches with a red-violaceous non-scaling border and central hypopigmentation, mostly localized on the groin and flanks. Histology shows a peculiar lichenoid dermatitis characterized by irregular epidermal hyperplasia with an alternation of thinned and quadrangular rete ridges and a dense band-like lichenoid infiltrate of lymphocytes in the papillary dermis. Typically, there is infiltration of lymphocytes into the lower epidermal layers with massive necrosis/apoptosis of keratinocytes, which is limited to the tips of rete ridges. Dermal lymphocytes are usually CD3+, CD4+, while most of the intraepidermal T cells are CD8+. Analysis of TCR-γ-chain gene rearrangement displayed polyclonality in all cases examined. Differential diagnosis mainly includes morphea, mycosis fungoides, annular erythemas and inflammatory lesions of vitiligo. Topical corticosteroids and topical tacrolimus represent the most effective drugs for ALDY treatment.

Morphea profunda or subcutaneous (deep) morphea is a variant of localized morphea, characterized by one or more ill-defined, deep sclerotic plaque. Preferential sites are the abdomen, trunk, sacral area, or extremities. The presence of hyperplastic lymphoid follicles in the context of the sclerotic bands of morphea is rarely described. Localized scleroderma is sustained by a profibrotic inflammatory profile. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an imbalance between functional subclasses of T-lymphocytes (innate immune cells) has a role in activate collagen deposition. In this case report, we present two cases of morphea profunda with lymphoid follicular hyperplasia. A systematic review of the literature on the pathophysiology of localized scleroderma is also presented, with particular reference to the presence of lymphoid structures.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are rare tumors with no established markers that can reliably distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) is a cancer/testis antigen that is found in many solid and hematologic malignancies. PRAME overexpression typically portends a poor prognosis and lower chemotherapeutic response. To date, no studies have established a role for PRAME in CTCL. An analysis was performed on 47 cases definitively diagnosed as CTCL: 25 cases of mycosis fungoides, 2 of Sezary syndrome, 5 of CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder, 7 of primary cutaneous anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma, 3 of primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, 1 of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, and 4 of angiocentric T-cell lymphoma. PRAME immunohistochemistry was completely negative in all cases. PRAME expression was not found in any CTCL subtypes, suggesting that the pathogenesis of CTCL is not mediated by PRAME. Further study is required to identify biomarkers that might aid in the diagnosis and prognostication of CTCLs.

Background: Fibrotic diseases pose a problem for overall health due to their chronic, progressive nature; the lack of a cure; and the fact that such conditions are largely refractory to current medical and surgical treatment practices. Objective: The aim of the present study was to report the physiological stimulation of synthesis and lysis of extracellular matrix proteins during the treatment of primary lymphedema. Material and Methods: A clinical trial was conducted involving the analysis of changes in type I and III collagen fibers and elastic fibers as well as the thickness of the epidermis and dermis in 10 histological fields. Samples were taken from the skin before and after intensive treatment using the Godoy Method® and adapted to the treatment of fibrosis in a patient with a clinical diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema. Slides were stained with orcein, hematoxylin and eosin, picrosirius red, and Gomori’s reticulin stains. Weibel’s multipoint method was used for the morphometric evaluation. The data were compared using the t-test with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Significant changes were detected in all aspects of interest (thickness of the epidermis and dermis, type I and III collagen fibers, and elastic fibers). Conclusion: The present findings demonstrate the physiological stimulation of synthesis and lysis of the main components of an extracellular matrix, such as type I and III collagen fibers and elastic fibers, as well as a reduction in the thickness of the epidermis and dermis in cases of fibrosis through adequate stimulation of the lymphatic system.

Early detection of skin cancer is of critical importance to provide five year survival rates that approach 99%. By 2050, one out of five Americans by age 70 will develop some form of skin cancer. This will result in a projected rate of 50 million skin biopsies per year given the current rate of escalation. In addition, the ability to differentiate between pigmented lesions and melanomas has proven a diagnostic challenge. While dermoscopy and visual analysis are useful in identifying many skin lesions, additional non-invasive techniques are needed to assist in the analysis of difficult to diagnose skin tumors. To augment dermoscopy data, we have developed 3D maps based on physical biomarker characteristics of benign and cancerous lesions using vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT). 3D images based on quantitative physical data involving changes in cellular and fibrous tissue stiffness along with changes in vascular quality are used to map and evaluate different types of cancers. 3D tumor maps constructed using quantitative VOCT data and OCT images have been used to characterize the differences between melanoma and other lesions. These characteristics can be used to plan the excision of difficult lesions where extensive surgery may be needed to remove the entire tumor in one step. In addition, it is now possible to use dermoscopy and VOCT to non-invasively differentiate between different cancerous lesion types using measurements of the resonant frequency of new cellular and vascular peaks. Quantitative VOCT information along with dermoscopic findings can be collected and analyzed remotely using artificial intelligence to improve cancerous tissue diagnosis.

We present the case of an 83-year-old woman who presented with an advanced cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head. The tumor had first appeared as a small ecchymosis on her forehead 3 months before admission. There was an extremely rapid and dramatic evolution, as evidenced by photographic documentation by her relatives. Unfortunately, the delay in access to the healthcare system due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and the fulminant growth were the main determinants for our patient outcome.

Paediatric dermatology is an expanding subspeciality [...]

Background: SPARK nevus represents a little-known and characterized entity, with few case series available in the literature. Methods and results: we present a case series of 12 patients (6 F and 6 M) between January 2005 and December 2020 and conduct a review of the current literature. Ten articles were selected on the basis of the adopted inclusion criteria and the PRISMA guidelines. Conclusions: The definition of histopathological and dermoscopic criteria are important to allow for an agreement to be reached among dermopathologists, and for the development of a consensus on higher case studies. To our knowledge, there are not many case series in the literature, and ours is part of the attempt to increase the knowledge of an entity that remains little-known and characterized.

Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T cell lymphomas (PCGDTCLs) are rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancies that have been diagnostically challenging for dermopathologists and clinicians since their first published descriptions in 1991. Since then, the availability of immunostaining for T cell receptors γ and δ in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples has greatly increased our knowledge of the gamma-delta phenotype by showing that it may also be present in the context of indolent entities, such as mycosis fungoides (MFs) and lymphomatoid papulosis, and this has raised questions concerning its diagnostic and prognostic implications. We here describe the histological and clinical differences between the dermo-epidermal and subcutaneous sub-groups of PCGDTCL observed in a cohort of 20 patients attending a single experienced centre, with particular focus on cases with an MF-like presentation, which are still less well defined than those of classic MF.

A 66-year-old male presented with a one-month history of persistent pruritic eruptions distributed mainly on the trunk. A punch biopsy from the left upper abdomen revealed focal acantholytic dyskeratosis with mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis composed of numerous eosinophils. Grover’s disease was diagnosed based on the clinical and histopathological findings. Appropriate treatment was initiated but failed to relieve symptoms of itchiness. A further investigation of the hair follicles under mineral oil preparation revealed an infestation of pediculosis pubis. Subsequent treatment with Ivermectin and permethrin cream led to the complete resolution of his symptoms. This case report highlights an unusual and first documented case of Grover’s disease with a concomitant infestation of pediculosis pubis. To date, no reported cases in the literature have associated Grover’s disease with pubic lice infestation. However, there are three reported cases of concurrent scabies and Grover’s disease in the literature. This rare case underscores the clinical value in further investigating treatable underlying conditions in patients with suspected transient acantholytic dermatosis.