SYMPTOMATOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF COVID-19 AFFECTING SKIN APPENDAGES: A NARRATIVE REVIEW BEYOND COVID-TOES

SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of COVID-19 disease and responsible for a pandemic since the 2020. Multiple organ involvement has been described including cutaneous symptoms. Affection of skin appendages, however, seems to be under-reported except for COVID-toes. We performed a PUBMED research for "COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2" AND "skin appendages", "hair", "nails", and "skin glands" from January 2020 to April 2022. COVID toes were excluded since this symptom had extensively been discussed. The focus of this narrative review was laid on clinical presentation, association to the course of COVID-19 disease and treatment options. Skin appendages can be affected by COVID-19 disease beyond COVID-toes, both by symptomatic and asymptomatic course. Telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, and alopecia areata are the most common hair disorders in COVID-19 patients. Nails are less commonly affected by COVID-19 than hair. Splinter hemorrhages and leukonychia are the most frequent findings. While sebaceous glands seem to be uninvolved, SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins have been identified in eccrine sweat glands. Alopecia areata is often seen among asymptomatic COVID-19 patients while telogen effluvium is observed in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The half-moon sign on the nails could be a red flag for a more severe course of COVID-19. Treatment options are summarized. Skin appendages are not spared by COVID-19. Their knowledge will help to identify asymptomatic patients and patients at risk for a more severe course of the viral disease.

Children with psoriasis and COVID-19: factors associated with an unfavourable COVID-19 course, and the impact of infection on disease progression (Chi-PsoCov registry)

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions regarding the management of chronic skin diseases, especially in patients on systemic treatments. Data concerning the use of biologics in adults with psoriasis are reassuring, but data specific to children are missing. Moreover, COVID-19 could impact the course of psoriasis in children.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was therefore to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the psoriasis of children, and the severity of the infection in relation to systemic treatments.

METHODS

We set up an international registry of paediatric psoriasis patients. Children were included if they were under 18 years of age, had a history of psoriasis, or developed it within 1 month of COVID-19 and had COVID-19 with or without symptoms.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty episodes of COVID-19 in 117 children (mean age: 12.4 years) were reported. The main clinical form of psoriasis was plaque type (69.4%). Most children were without systemic treatment (54.2%); 33 (28.3%) were on biologic therapies, and 24 (20%) on non-biologic systemic drugs. COVID-19 was confirmed in 106 children (88.3%) and 3 children had two COVID-19 infections each. COVID-19 was symptomatic for 75 children (62.5%) with a mean duration of 6.5 days, significantly longer for children on non-biologic systemic treatments (P = 0.02) and without systemic treatment (P = 0.006) when compared with children on biologics. The six children who required hospitalization were more frequently under non-biologic systemic treatment when compared with the other children (P = 0.01), and particularly under methotrexate (P = 0.03). After COVID-19, the psoriasis worsened in 17 cases (15.2%). Nine children (8%) developed a psoriasis in the month following COVID-19, mainly a guttate form (P = 0.01).

DISCUSSION

Biologics appear to be safe with no increased risk of severe form of COVID-19 in children with psoriasis. COVID-19 was responsible for the development of psoriasis or the worsening of a known psoriasis for some children.

T- configuration stent assisted coiling treatment of a complex wide-necked basilar tip aneurysm

The advancement of intracranial stent technology and techniques has extended the applications of endovascular coiling methods for complex intracranial aneurysms. Coiling of wide-necked and complex bifurcation aneurysms usually requires double stent implantation. Different configurations for double stent-assisted coil embolization have been described. The T-configuration stent-assisted coiling procedure was recently described as a feasible, effective, and relatively safe endovascular technique used to treat wide-necked complex bifurcation aneurysms. In this article, we present the successful management of a complex wide-neck basilar tip aneurysm using a slightly modified T-configuration stent-assisted coiling technique.

Particular management strategy for intraprocedural coil migration during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysm

Migration of coils represents one of the most challenging complications of endovascular management of cerebral aneurysms with a potentially catastrophic result. In this article, we present the successful management of a coil migration during the endovascular occlusion of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm. A stent fixation technique was used with good vascular repermeabilisation. The reported frequency, risk factors and management strategies are also discussed.

The stent-assisted coil-jailing technique for very small intracranial aneurysm treatment

The stent-assisted coil-jailing technique was initially introduced as an effective and secure method in the treatment of large wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. Later on, this technique has proved its efficiency in the safety and optimal treatment of very small aneurysms. In this article, we will present the successful treatment of a very small middle cerebral artery aneurysm using the stent-assisted coil-jailing technique and review the current trends in this type of treatment.

[Kerion Celsi due to Microsporum canis infection]

Tinea capitis is seen world-wide among children up to 12 years. The most severe type is Kerion Celsi with painful abscesses and lymphadenopathy. We report on an 11-year-old boy with Kerion Celsi, who was initially treated using antibiotics under the common misdiagnosis of a bacterial infection. Mycological investigations could identify Microsporum canis. The patient was treated orally with griseofulvin, which resulted in complete mycological remission after 8 weeks. Cicatrical alopecia, however, could not be prevented. Purulent infections of the scalp should lead to early mycological diagnostics in children.

Skin manifestations of COVID-19 in children: Part 2

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The initial recognized symptoms were respiratory, sometimes culminating in severe respiratory distress requiring ventilation, and causing death in a percentage of those infected. As time has passed, other symptoms have been recognized. The initial reports of cutaneous manifestations were from Italian dermatologists, probably because Italy was the first European country to be heavily affected by the pandemic. The overall clinical presentation, course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children differ from those in adults, as do the cutaneous manifestations of childhood. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 in children after thorough and critical review of articles published in the literature and from the personal experience of a large panel of paediatric dermatologists in Europe. In Part 1, we discussed one of the first and most widespread cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19, chilblain-like lesions. In this part of the review, we describe other manifestations, including erythema multiforme, urticaria and Kawasaki disease-like inflammatory multisystemic syndrome. In Part 3, we discuss the histological findings of COVID-19 manifestations, and the testing and management of infected children for both COVID-19 and any other pre-existing conditions.

Management of a double basilar tip aneurysm

Complex basilar tip aneurysms are still challenging to secure with coils or stent-assisted coiling. Double aneurysms at the basilar bifurcation and the basilar artery-superior cerebellar artery are a rare particular situation that usually requires more appropriate treatment. This case reports details of our experience with a double basilar tip aneurysm treated in two steps by coiling repair and stent-assisted coiling.

Skin manifestations of COVID-19 in children: Part 3

The current COVID‐19 pandemic is caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus. The initial recognized symptoms were respiratory, sometimes culminating in severe respiratory distress requiring ventilation, and causing death in a percentage of those infected. As time has passed, other symptoms have been recognized. The initial reports of cutaneous manifestations were from Italian dermatologists, probably because Italy was the first European country to be heavily affected by the pandemic. The overall clinical presentation, course and outcome of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in children differ from those in adults as do the cutaneous manifestations of childhood. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the cutaneous manifestations of COVID‐19 in children after thorough and critical review of articles published in the literature and from the personal experience of a large panel of paediatric dermatologists in Europe. In Part 1, we discuss one of the first and most widespread cutaneous manifestations of COVID‐19, chilblain‐like lesions, and in Part 2 we expanded to other manifestations, including erythema multiforme, urticaria and Kawasaki disease‐like inflammatory multisystemic syndrome. In this part of the review, we discuss the histological findings of COVID‐19 manifestations, and the testing and management of infected children for both COVID‐19 and any other pre‐existing conditions.

Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article.

Skin manifestations of COVID-19 in children: Part 1

The current COVID‐19 pandemic is caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus. The initial recognized symptoms were respiratory, sometimes culminating in severe respiratory distress requiring ventilation, and causing death in a percentage of those infected. As time has passed, other symptoms have been recognized. The initial reports of cutaneous manifestations were from Italian dermatologists, probably because Italy was the first European country to be heavily affected by the pandemic. The overall clinical presentation, course and outcome of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in children differ from those in adults as do the cutaneous manifestations of childhood. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the cutaneous manifestations of COVID‐19 in children after thorough and critical review of articles published in the literature and from the personal experience of a large panel of paediatric dermatologists in Europe. In Part 1, we discuss one of the first and most widespread cutaneous manifestation of COVID‐19, chilblain‐like lesions. In Part 2, we review other manifestations, including erythema multiforme, urticaria and Kawasaki disease‐like inflammatory multisystemic syndrome, while in Part 3, we discuss the histological findings of COVID‐19 manifestations, and the testing and management of infected children, for both COVID‐19 and any other pre‐existing conditions.

Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article.

The 3D printed models technology for the management of intracranial aneurysms

Management of intracranial aneurysms is still a therapeutic challenge, especially in cases of complex lesions. Thus, the improvement of the study and intervention planning possibilities correlated with the access to continuous professional training based on simulation and clinical diversity represent optimal conditions for the efficient solution of this pathology. The development of three-dimensional printing technology offers a new opportunity in the modern treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The aim of this study is to present some aspects related to the materials and methods of manufacturing simulation models of individual 3D printed aneurysms and their influence in the optimal management of these lesions.

Mechanical thrombectomy techniques for acute ischemic stroke

Mechanical thrombectomy technique was introduced as an effective and secure method in acute ischemic stroke patients suffering from intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO). In this article, we will review the main mechanical thrombectomy techniques and current trends in this type of treatment for acute ischemic stroke.

Current applications of 3d printing in neurosurgery

Medical implications of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology have progressed with increasingly used especially in surgical fields. 3D printing techniques are practical and anatomically accurate methods of producing patient specific models for medical education, surgical planning, training and simulation, and implants production for the assessment and treatment of neurosurgical diseases. This article presents the main directions of 3D printing models application in neurosurgery.

Preliminary study of thrombogenicity induced by the nanoparticle surface coating of intracranial stents

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with intracranial stents was proven to be clinically safe and effective, but is still associated with a risk of thromboembolic complications. Stent thrombosis could be a sever complication associated with specific stent surface coatings and designs. Standardized in vitro tests for investigation of thrombogenicity induced by different nanomaterials were used as the basic method in carrying out the present study. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the thrombogenicity of three different nanomaterials (ZnO, TiO2 si Fe3O4) possible used as surface coating for intracranial stents. This study is based on a procedure for in vitro analyses of plasma coagulation time. To measure the plasma coagulation time, platelet-poor plasma from human whole blood was in vitro exposed to nanoparticles and analysed in prothrombin (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin (APTT).

Our experience with a single stage bilateral approach for treatment of bilateral middle cerebral artery aneurysms

Surgical management of bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms is particular challenging clinical situation. For these patients various options of surgical treatment are available as unilateral approach, single stage bilateral craniotomy or two stage bilateral craniotomy. We report our experience with a case of bilateral MCA aneurysm which was managed by single stage bilateral pterional craniotomy.

Endovascular management of recurrent anterior communicating aneurysm previously embolized. Case presentation

Although endovascular coiling treatment has been widely accepted as the method of choice for intracranial aneurysms, concerns about its durability are still discussed. Attention was largely focused on aneurysm recurrence after coil occlusion with possible unfavourable evolution to a new bleeding episode. We present our experience of a patient with a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm previously treated by endovascular coil embolization that presented over a 4-year period for aneurysm recurrence.

Management of spinal dural arteriovenouse fistula

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas are rare vascular lesions whose management is still at high interest between specialists. If microsurgical treatment is still considered as treatment of choice for SDAVFs, endovascular treatment is increasingly grow in interest with the development of endovascular techniques and new embolization materials. In this article we made a short discussion about the spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae on aspects related to anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment, with some general conclusions.

Angiography procedure and endovascular treatment Retrospective analysis in Neurosurgery Department of “Prof. Dr. N. Oblu” Clinic Emergency Hospital Iasi

A retrospective analysis of the cases admitted, investigated and treated in “Prof. Dr. N. Oblu” Clinic Emergency Hospital from the beginning of activity in the angiography laboratory from 2008 to June 2017.

Microsurgical clipping of giant thrombosed aneurysm

Treatment of giant thrombosed aneurysm is still a challenge for most of neurosurgeons. We present our experience of a patient with a thrombosed giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm manifesting as headache that developed over a 15-year period. Magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomographic angiography (CTA), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) have clarified the vascular lesion and directed the therapeutic protocol. An open craniotomy with direct clipping and thrombectomy was performed successfully with an uneventful postoperative course.

Intra-arterial nimodipine for the treatment of vasospasm due to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

The cerebral vasospasm is still considered the most devastating complication for the patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of intra-arterial nimodipine administration in cerebral vasospasm diminutions and outcome of the patients.

Drug allergy passport and other documentation for patients with drug hypersensitivity - An ENDA/EAACI Drug Allergy Interest Group Position Paper

The strongest and best-documented risk factor for drug hypersensitivity (DH) is the history of a previous reaction. Accidental exposures to drugs may lead to severe or even fatal reactions in sensitized patients. Preventable prescription errors are common. They are often due to inadequate medical history or poor risk assessment of recurrence of drug reaction. Proper documentation is essential information for the doctor to make sound therapeutic decision. The European Network on Drug Allergy and Drug Allergy Interest Group of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology have formed a task force and developed a drug allergy passport as well as general guidelines of drug allergy documentation. A drug allergy passport, a drug allergy alert card, a certificate, and a discharge letter after medical evaluation are adequate means to document DH in a patient. They are to be handed to the patient who is advised to carry the documentation at all times especially when away from home. A drug allergy passport should at least contain information on the culprit drug(s) including international nonproprietary name, clinical manifestations including severity, diagnostic measures, potential cross-reactivity, alternative drugs to prescribe, and where more detailed information can be obtained from the issuer. It should be given to patients only after full allergy workup. In the future, electronic prescription systems with alert functions will become more common and should include the same information as in paper-based documentation.

Associated intracranial lesions: meningioma and anterior communicating aneurysm

Asymptomatic associated intracranial lesions are more frequently diagnosed with the utilization of high-resolution imaging. The occurrence of brain tumors together with intracranial aneurysms are a very rare situation. This coexistence is still a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge as no consensus concerning imaging that may cover both type of intracranial lesion was established. We report a case of a 62 years old patient with a meningioma and aneurysm treated in one session with good outcome.

The superior ophthalmic vein approach for the treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas: our first experience

Complex cavernous sinus fistulae (CCF) are still a technical challenge to neurovascular team. The most commonly performed treatment consists in endovascular embolization of the lesion through an arterial or venous approach. Not always these conventional routes are feasible, requiring alternative routes. We report a case of a 44-year-old woman with a complex indirect (Barrow D) carotid cavernous sinus fistula treated by two interventional sessions that imposing a retrograde direct transvenous approach via the superior ophthalmic vein.

Our first experience with cervical expandable cage for vertebral body reconstruction

Vertebral body reconstruction after corpectomy using expandable cage has become a common surgical procedure especially at thoracic level. The recent published papers describe the successful use of expandable cages for cervical vertebral body reconstruction. In this paper we present our first experience with expandable cervical cage in the reconstruction of the cervical spine in a patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)

Extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm treated by combined endovascular - microsurgical techniques

Extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms are rare lesions that still represent a challenge from diagnosis and treatment point of view. Giant complex aneurysms of extracranial internal carotid artery are usually completely excluded by surgical approaches. We present a case of a patient with an extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm treated by a combined treatment, along with a short review of this pathology.

Ruptured fusiform aneurysm of the proximal anterior cerebral artery in young patient - case report

A 16-year old male presented with a ruptured aneurysm of the proximal segment of the anterior cerebral artery, with symptoms like sudden headache. Paraclinical explorations revealed a fusiform aneurysm of the right A1 segment. The optimal treatment used was the microsurgical one via right pterional approach. The aneurysm was associated with a saccular pseudoneurysm at the proximal part. The saccular portion was clipped and the fusiform one was wrapped with muscle. The postoperative evolution was favorable, without neurological deficits.

Combined treatment for complex intracranial aneurysm

Complex aneurysms often cannot be completely excluded by a single approaches. Today successful treatment of these lesions requires a combination between microsurgical and endovascular techniques. Planning of combined treatment require a very good understanding of aneurysm anatomy and a close collaboration between neurosurgeon and neuroendovascular interventionist. Endovascular coiling can usually be used as early treatment for a partially aneurysm occlusion including the ruptured area and followed by definitive clipping. On the other hand microsurgical clipping also can be used as first treatment for complex aneurysm neck reconstruction, allowing successful secondary placement of coils inside the remnant aneurysm sac

Acute intracerebral haemorrhage complication after carotid artery stenting

Intracranial hemorrhage following carotid artery stenting is a recognized rare complication but with potentially devastating evolution. Reports of acute cerebral hemorrhage injury following internal carotid artery (ICA) angioplasty are few, and usually were discussed in correlation with hyperperfusion syndrome. In this article we present a patient who experienced a fatal ipsilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage within 10 minutes after carotid angioplasty and stent placement

Temporo-sylvian anastomosis and aneurysm clipping in a case of left M1 aneurysm with progressive evolution after initial embolization; Case report

A giant unrupted middle cerebral artery aneurysm partially thrombosed, previously endovascularly treated after a mild right hemiparesis remitted. After 12 months, in routine check we discovered a reperfusion of the aneurysm and decide ECIC bypass and clipping, with a good outcome

Practical guide to skin prick tests in allergy to aeroallergens

This pocket guide is the result of a consensus reached between members of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN) and Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA). The aim of the current pocket guide is to offer a comprehensive set of recommendations on the use of skin prick tests in allergic rhinitis-conjunctivitis and asthma in daily practice. This pocket guide is meant to give simple answers to the most frequent questions raised by practitioners in Europe, including 'practicing allergists', general practitioners and any other physicians with special interest in the management of allergic diseases. It is not a long or detailed scientific review of the topic. However, the recommendations in this pocket guide were compiled following an in-depth review of existing guidelines and publications, including the 1993 European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology position paper, the 2001 ARIA document and the ARIA update 2008 (prepared in collaboration with GA(2) LEN). The recommendations cover skin test methodology and interpretation, allergen extracts to be used, as well as indications in a variety of settings including paediatrics and developing countries.

Comparison of five techniques of skin prick tests used routinely in Europe

BACKGROUND

Skin prick tests represent indispensable tools in allergy, even more than 30 years after their introduction in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES

Few recent European studies have focused on this topic and we thus wanted to compare the instruments most often used today.

METHODS

Four instruments were investigated: the 23G intravenous (IV) needle, the ALK Lancet, the Stallergenes (STG) Prick Lancet and the Stallerpoint(®) (using two different methods). Sensitivity, reproducibility, and acceptability were evaluated. In 22 subjects, we calculated the sensitivity and reproducibility (both intra- and interpatient) of these methods by testing the positive control five times. In 50 subjects, we tested the single-blind acceptability of these same five techniques.

RESULTS

In terms of sensitivity, the IV needle (100%) and metal lancets (96% for the ALK Lancet and 98% for the STG Prick Lancet) were superior (P < 0.01) to the two Stallerpoint(®) methods (20% and 57%). Intrapatient reproducibility was 16.2%, 14.6%, 15.0%, 97.1% and 18.1%, respectively. The instruments that were best tolerated by the patients were the IV needle and the two metal lancets.

CONCLUSION

Metal needles and/or lancets are the tools of choice for skin prick testing.

[Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage]

Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage is a neurosurgical emergency characterized by the extravasation of blood into the spaces covering the central nervous system that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The leading cause of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage is rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, which accounts for about 80 percent of cases and has a high rate of death and complications. The management of aneurysmal SAH has changed significantly over the past few years. This change is mostly due to the demonstration of the superiority of early diagnosis, surgical clipping or endovascular embolization of ruptured aneurysms. This superiority derives from the relative safety of early aneurysm occlusion and the major threat of early rebleeding (approximately 25% in three weeks after SAH).

Long-term outcome for children born after a first-trimester measurement of increased nuchal translucency with a normal karyotype: a retrospective analysis

PURPOSE

To study the outcome of pregnancy in chromosomally normal fetuses with increased nuchal translucency with respect to fetal loss, structural defects genetic syndromes, and neurological outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis and telephone interview. All included pregnancies underwent a mid-trimester anomaly scan.

RESULTS

279 pregnancies were included. The overall live birth rate was 81.4 %, and decreased as the NT measurement increased. The most common structural defect was cardiac anomalies (7 %). If the second-trimester anomaly scan was uneventful, the chance of a healthy live birth was 92 %. The number of unexpected neurodevelopmental delays after a normal scan during mid-trimester was 1.1 %.

CONCLUSION

Counseling should emphasize that if the karyotype is normal and no fetal structural malformations were missed prenatally after resolution of nuchal thickening, the prognosis is positive.

First and early second trimester fetal heart scanning

This review describes the recent advances in terms of visualization and diagnosis of first and early second trimester fetal echocardiography.