A Case of Facial Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (LE) with Oral Lichen Planus (LP): A Dig into Co-existence and LE-LP Overlap

A distinction between ‘co-existence of Lupus Erythematosus (LE) and Lichen Planus (LP)’ and ‘LE-LP overlap’ bears importance as the criterion for true overlap necessitates histological and immunological features of both LE and LP to be found in the same tissue specimen. However, in the present case report the lesions of LE and LP were present in two different sites. A 51-year-old male presented with a large erythematous scaly atrophic plaque on the right cheek with similar lesions on chin and lips for 10 years. He also had violaceous lesions on the bilateral buccal mucosa and a white lesion over the left buccal mucosa for three years. Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) and Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) were suspected. Dermoscopy of the facial plaque showed features consistent with DLE. Histopathology of the facial plaque confirmed the diagnosis of DLE, whereas the white plaque on the left buccal mucosa showed features of early invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Violaceous lesion over the right buccal mucosa showed features suggesting OLP. A Direct Immunofluorescence (DI) was also performed for the buccal mucosa to rule out the possibility of DLE with oral involvement, which turned out to be negative. Therefore, a diagnosis of synchronous presentation of DLE and OLP along with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the buccal mucosa was made and patient was treated with topical corticosteroids, systemic hydroxychloroquine and surgical intervention for the squamous cell carcinoma. It is also imperative that not only long standing cutaneous lesions, but also oral lesions like LP should be investigated and kept under observation to look for any early malignant changes.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Complicating Plaque of Lupus Erythematosus - A Case Series

Lupus Erythematosus is a multisystem disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from cutaneous involvement to widespread systemic involvement. Squamous cell carcinoma formation in cutaneous lesions of LE is rare but had greater chances of metastases. Here, we report two cases, one of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and other of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus complicated by development of squamous cell carcinoma over cutaneous lesions.

Split bolus dual-energy CT urography after urine dilution: a one-stop shop for detection and characterisation of urolithiasis

AIM

To determine the diagnostic performance of split-bolus dual-energy computed tomography (CT) urography (SBDECTU) in the detection and characterisation of urolithiasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-centre Institute Ethics Committee (IEC)-approved prospective study was conducted from April 2014 to November 2015. One hundred and thirty consenting adults with microscopic haematuria underwent dual-energy true non-enhanced CT (DETNE) of the whole abdomen followed by a SBDECTU. The SBDECTU protocol consisted of synchronous nephrogram-urogram acquisition following urine dilution by oral hydration and normal saline injection. Calculi were detected and characterised using virtual non-enhanced (VNE) images derived from SBDECT were compared with DETNE (the reference standard). The subjective image quality and radiation dose were compared.

RESULTS

Twenty-six participants had one or more calculi (total 129 calculi) detected on DETNE CT. The sensitivity and specificity of VNE on a per-patient basis were 100%. Of the 129 calculi, 118 were detected on VNE, with a sensitivity of 91.47% and an accuracy of 91.47%. Of the calculi, 83.9% (99/118) could be characterised on SBDECTU images. On VNE images, complete iodine subtraction was seen in 73.1% (19/26). By omitting DETNE CT, the mean dose-length product of 537.6±152.9 mGy and volume CT dose index of 10.9±2.9 mGy•cm² could have been saved.

CONCLUSION

SBDECTU has high diagnostic accuracy in the detection and characterisation of clinically significant urinary calculi at potentially half the radiation dose.

Conductivity and dielectric analysis of nanocolloidal polypyrrole particles functionalized with higher weight percentage of poly(styrene sulfonate) using the dispersion polymerization method

Nanocolloidal polypyrrole/poly(styrene sulfonate) PPy:PSS composites were prepared by dispersion polymerization of pyrrole with 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, 2.5 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt% and 15 wt% of PSS. Higher doping level of PPy was confirmed with increased S/N value of elemental analysis. Morphological variations of PPy composite matrix based on PSS were analyzed in which spherical shaped PPy particles of 20–40 nm were obtained for 1:1 wt% of PPy:PSS. Presence of higher concentration of PSS within the PPy matrix substantially improved its thermal stability. Dielectric properties were investigated using complex impedance analyzer as a function of frequency (50 Hz–5 MHz) and temperature between 30°C and 120°C. PPy, with improved dispersion, showed higher dielectric constant values up to 15 wt% of anionic polyelectrolyte PSS and the dielectric loss varied between 4.7 and 7.9 for different wt% of PSS. AC conductivity (σac) enhanced up to 1:1 wt% of PPy:PSS composite, which is found to be the optimum wt% in this study. DC conductivity was found to decrease after 1:1 wt% of PPy:PSS composite, which is due to excess oxidation, leading to reduced π conjugation of PPy chains. Higher dielectric constant values of composite, with relatively low dielectric loss values, indicate their potential usage in the electric and electronic industry.

Erythema ab igne: Usual site, unusual cause

Erythema ab igne is reticular erythematous pigmented dermatoses seen in patients exposed to prolonged or repeated sub-threshold Infrared radiation inadequate to cause burns. Here, we report a case of erythema ab igne in a 40-year-old male patient seen over the abdomen due to prolonged laptop use.

Hallermann-streiff syndrome

Hallermann-Streiff syndrome (HSS) is a rare disorder characterized by dyscephalia, with facial and dental abnormalities. We report a 12-year-old female child who presented with abnormal facial features, dental abnormalities and sparse scalp hair.

Influence of annealing effects on polyaniline for good microstructural modification

H(2)SO(4) doped polyaniline (PANI) has synthesized by chemical oxidation method. The prepared Polyaniline were annealed at 150 °C, 200 °C and 250 °C for 30 min in vacuum. Crystal size, percentage of crystallinity, total percentage of crystallinity properties of untreated and heat treated PANI samples were studied by using X-ray diffraction pattern. The molecular structure of untreated and heat treated samples were examined by using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. UV study shows π-π* transition of untreated and heat treated of polyaniline were found at 328 and 636 nm. The peak at 636 nm reveals the extension of conjugated polymer. Thermal properties of untreated and heat treated PANI sample measured by using thermo gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric spectroscopy.