Iranian Journal of Dermatology
Year:2002 | Volume:6 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

Background: Acne vulgaris is a self-limited" disease that mainly involves the sebaceous follicles. Systimic antibiutic is a common therapeutic modality, so bacterial resistance can be a problem. Objectives: Assesment of Propionibacterium resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin and spiramycin. Patients & Methods: Sampling was done on lesions of 123 patients with acne vulgaris who referred to dermatology clinic of Shahid Dr. Faghihi hospital in Shiraz. After isolation and confirmation of P. acnes, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of above mentioned antibiotices were measured with agar dilution test. Results: From 123 patients, 129 samples were taken. Presence of P .acnes was confirmed in 62 samples. MICs for antibiotics were: tetracyclin 0.03 -0.125 /-1g/ml, erythromycin 0.015 -0.06 /-1g/ml, clindamycin 0.03-0.5/-!g/ml and spiramycin 0.015 - 0.25 /-1g/ml. Conclusion: The samples of P. acnes isolated from acne vulgaris lesions in this study were sensitive to above mentioned antibotics.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma has a wide range of histological differentiation which indicates the prognosis. Location of the tumor also affects its prognosis. Objective: To determine the relationship between location of the tumor, age and sex of patients and histological grading of it. Patients & Methods: In this retrospective study, 44631 files of the patients who were referred to two main pathological centers in Kerman from 1992 to 1999 were reviewed, and the data of 186 cases of skin squamous cell carcinoma were extracted and analysed. Results: In 186 cases of skin squamous cell carcinoma, the mean age of patients was 60.4:!::16.6 years. 133 patients (70.9%) were male and 53 cases (29.1%) were female, so male to female ratio was 2.5 to 1. The most common sites of involvement were head and neck (76.8%), upper extremities (10.2%), trunk and genitalia (6.8%) and lower extremities (6.2%). 81.5% of tumors were well differentiated, 14.3% were moderately and 4.2% were poorly differentiated. There was no relationship between age, sex and site of the lesion with grading of the tumor. Conclusion: In order to manage squamous cell carcinoma properly, performing biopsy in all cases is mandatory.

Background: Due to the chronic nature of atopic dermatitis and dependence of most patients to steroids, finding alternative treatment is important. a suitable Objective: To determine the efficacy of phototherapy dermatitis, of atopic In treatment evaluate possible also to infuencing factors in response of patients to psoralen + UV A (PUV A) therapy. Patients & Methods: 13 patients with resistant atopic dermatitis, older than 10 years, were treated with PUV A, 2 or 3 times a week until complet~ recovery or maximum of 30 sessions. Rate of recovery was determined according to reduction in 6 signs including itching, erythema, lichenification, xerosis, exfoliation and excoriation at the end of the treatment period and 2 months later. Results: 10 patients (77%) at the end of the treatment and 9 patients (69.2%) two months after that, showed more than 50% revovery. There was no significant relationship between the pretreatment serum IgE levels, site of the lesions, age, sex and phototherapy. The patients with family history of atopic dermatitis showed a better response to the treatment. Conclusion: PUV A is a suitable alternative treatment in resistant cases of atopic dermatitis.

Background: Hirsutism is a common clinical problem with different etiologic factors. Hence, clinical and laboratory studies are necessary to find these factors. Objectives: To determine the etiologic factors of hirsutism with clinical and paraclinical studies includeing TSH, DHEA S, LH/ FSH , testosterone, prolactine, 17-0H progesterone and sonography of ovary. Patients & Methods:This cross sectional study evaluated clinical and paraclinical findings of 110 hirsute patients who referred to the dermatology clinic of Tehran Razi Hospital during a period of one and half years, in 2000-2001. Results: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PC Os) was diagnosed in 54 patients (49%) including 14 cases (26%) with regular menstruation. 43 patients (39%) had laboratory findings compatible with PCOs and> LH/ FSH 3 was the most valuable one in 41 patients (37%).53 patients (48%) with regular mens trual cycles and normal laboratory and sonographic findings had idiopathic hirsutism. Late onset adrenal hyperplasia due to partial 21-hydroxylase deficiency was diagnosed in two cases(1.8%). In one patient with irregular menstruation, pituitary prolactinoma was confirmed by brain imaging technics. Conclusion: Routine laboratory evaluations are mandatory in the management of hirsutism, regardless of menstruation cycles.

Background: clinical and Lichen planus has various epidemiologic features in different countries. Objectives: To determine clinical and epidemiologic patterns of lichen planus in dermatology department of Hamadan Sina Hospital during a ten-year period. Patients & Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was performed on 363 patients (inclouding 190 females and 173 males) suffered from lichen planus, referred to Hamadan Sina Hospital, during the years 1991-2001. Data were obtained from patients" files and were analysed by EPI6 software. Results: Among 6610 patients who were biopsied, 363 cases (5.5%) were diagnosed as lichen planus. Isolated mucous membrane involvement was observed in 36 patients (9.9%) and 9 patients (2.5%) had both skin and mucous membrane lesions. 318 patients (87.6%) had only skin involvment. The most common site of involvment was face in 71 patients (12.7%). Actinic lichen planus was the most common clinical form of lichen planus which was seen in 126 patients (36.4%). Conclusion: Among the patients suffering from lichen planus who were biopsied, the face was the most common site of involvement and lichen actinicus was the most common clinical pattern.

Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease due to contact with different substances and caused by two mechanisms: allergy and irritation. Contact dermatitis is a common skin disease and the most common occupational dermatosis. Differentiating between allergic and irritant contact dermatitis is essential in the identification of etiologic factor(s) and hence, its control and prognosis. This differentiation can be done only by patch test. Unfortunately, this simple, safe and useful test is always neglected. We review the basics of patch test, the method of performance, reading and interpretation of its results, possible side effects and results of studies done with patch test in different countries.

Brownstein previously described a unrecognized acanthoma, the benign "acantholytic acanthoma" in 1988. We report a rare case of acantholytic acanthoma on the right labia minor of vulva in a 34-year-old woman. Due to the rarity of this lesion in the female genitalia, it may be confused with other lesions more commonly affecting this region. Correct diagnosis of acantholytic acanthoma may result in proper treatment of the patient.

Cutaneous horn is a horn-like keratotic lesion which commonly occurs on the head and face, over a wide range of benign or malignant skin lesions. Callosity IS a hyperkeratotic plaque produced by intermittent or continous pressure on the skin. Lateral aspects of the ankles (lateral malleoli) are frequently involved. We report a rare case of cutaneous horn developed on ankle callosity.