Standard and Expanded Series Patch Testing Update by the Spanish Contact Dermatitis and Skin Allergy Research Group (GEIDAC)

After the meeting held by the Spanish Contact Dermatitis and Skin Allergy Research Group (GEIDAC) back in October 2021, changes were suggested to the Spanish standard series patch testing. Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2% pet.), textile dye mixt (6.6% pet.), linalool hydroperoxide (1% pet.), and limonene hydroperoxide (0.3% pet.) were, then, added to the series that agreed upon in 2016. Ethyldiamine and phenoxyethanol were excluded. Methyldibromoglutaronitrile, the mixture of sesquiterpene lactones, and hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene (Lyral) were alo added to the extended Spanish series of 2022.

Safety in Dermatologic Procedures: Vascular Occlusion by Filling Materials

Ischemic events are the most serious complications of facial antiaging treatment with dermal fillers. Ischemia can cause Nicolau syndrome, blindness, or even stroke. This article discusses how to prevent ischemic complications and what steps to take should a dermatologic emergency develop. A thorough understanding of facial anatomy is important. Preferred procedural techniques involve the use of cannulas and retrograde injection. When ischemia is detected in the skin, hyaluronidase should be injected, preferably through a cannula. If ocular ischemia occurs, the patient should be transferred to a hospital with stroke code activation.

Classification of the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19: a rapid prospective nationwide consensus study in Spain with 375 cases

BACKGROUND

The cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 disease are poorly characterized.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 disease and to relate them to other clinical findings.

METHODS

We carried out a nationwide case collection survey of images and clinical data. Using a consensus we described five clinical patterns. We later described the association of these patterns with patient demographics, the timing in relation to symptoms of the disease, the severity and the prognosis.

RESULTS

The lesions may be classified as acral areas of erythema with vesicles or pustules (pseudo-chilblain) (19%), other vesicular eruptions (9%), urticarial lesions (19%), maculopapular eruptions (47%) and livedo or necrosis (6%). Vesicular eruptions appear early in the course of the disease (15% before other symptoms). The pseudo-chilblain pattern frequently appears late in the evolution of the COVID-19 disease (59% after other symptoms), while the rest tend to appear with other symptoms of COVID-19. The severity of COVID-19 shows a gradient from less severe disease in acral lesions to more severe in the latter groups. The results are similar for confirmed and suspected cases, in terms of both clinical and epidemiological findings. Alternative diagnoses are discussed but seem unlikely for the most specific patterns (pseudo-chilblain and vesicular).

CONCLUSIONS

We provide a description of the cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection. These may help clinicians approach patients with the disease and recognize cases presenting with few symptoms. What is already known about this topic? Previous descriptions of cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 were case reports and mostly lacked illustrations. What does this study add? We describe a large, representative sample of patients with unexplained skin manifestations and a diagnosis of COVID-19, using a consensus method to define morphological patterns associated with COVID-19. We describe five clinical patterns associated with different patient demographics, timing and prognosis, and provide illustrations of these patterns to allow for easy recognition.

Is p-Phenylenediamine Still a Prevalent Contact Allergen in Spain?

OBJECTIVES

To analyze trends in the prevalence of contact sensitization to p-phenylenediamine between 2004 and 2014, taking into consideration that the concentration of this product in cosmetics was regulated in 2009. To explore risk factors for contact allergy to p-phenylenediamine.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective observational study of patients suspected of having contact dermatitis from allergy to p-phenylenediamine during the years between 2004 and 2015 in 8 tertiary level hospitals. The patients underwent patch testing (TRUE-test) with the standard series of the Spanish Research Group on Contact Dermatitis and Skin Allergies. This series included p-phenylenediamine 1%. We followed international recommendations for the statistical analysis of data related to contact allergies.

RESULTS

Three hundred eighty-six out of 9341 patients (4.1%) had positive reactions to p-phenylenediamine. The prevalence tended to decrease in the early years (2004-2007) and then leveled off at around 4%. Risk factors for developing contact dermatitis from p-phenylenediamine were sex, age over 40 years, multiple sensitivities, and profession, notably workers in hair salons and those who handle rubber and plastics.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of p-phenylenediamine allergy remains high among patients with contact eczema. Risk factors for p-phenylenediamine contact allergy are consistent with previous reports.

[Ultrasound in the management of nail disease]

Nail diseases are a diagnostic challenge and high-frequency ultrasound with colour Doppler is a simple and painless diagnostic test that can often be useful. Ultrasound allows real-time evaluation of the anatomical structures of the nail and its vascularisation. The present study reviews the literature on ultrasound findings in the normal nail and in inflammatory and tumoural disease.

Spanish Cultural Adaptation of the Questionnaire Early Arthritis for Psoriatic Patients

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The Early Arthritis for Psoriatic patients (EARP) questionnaire is a screening tool for psoriatic arthritis. The original Italian version has good measurement properties but the EARP required translation and adaptation for use in Spain. This article describes the cultural adaptation process as a step prior to validation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used the principles of good practice for the cross-cultural adaptation of patient-reported outcomes measurement established by the International Society Pharmacoeconomics and Outcome Research. The steps in this process were preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation and review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing and review, and proofreading. During preparation the developers of the original questionnaire were asked for their permission to adapt the EARP for use in Spain and to act as consultants during the process.

RESULTS

The original questionnaire was translated into Spanish by native Spanish translators, who made slight changes that were approved by the questionnaire's developers. The Spanish version was then back-translated into Italian; that version was reviewed to confirm equivalence with the original Italian text. The reconciled Spanish EARP was then tested for comprehensibility and interpretation in a group of 35 patients. All the patients answered all items without making additional comments.

CONCLUSION

This cultural adaptation of the EARP questionnaire for Spanish populations is the first step towards its later use in routine clinical practice. The application of a cross-cultural adaptation method ensured equivalence between the original and Spanish versions of the EARP. The Spanish questionnaire will be validated in a second stage.

Scleroderma-like syndrome due to hydroxyurea

Scleroderma-like cutaneous changes have been reported in association with several drugs, but not with hydroxyurea (HU), to our knowledge. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who was treated with HU (hydroxycarbamide) for 12 years for a myeloproliferative disorder, and presented a progressive pruritic woody induration, symmetrically affecting both legs. He also had Gottron-like papules on the back of the metacarpophalangeal joints, and a retroauricular undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma. On histological examination of a skin biopsy taken from the leg, massive dermal fibrosis was seen, with thickening of collagen bundles throughout the entire dermis. Six months after HU withdrawal, the skin induration resolved without scarring. Scleroderma-like syndrome has not been previously considered one of the secondary effects of HU. The evolution of our patient's condition supports a causal relationship between the HU treatment and the sclerodermiform changes of the skin.

[Importance of epidemiologic surveillance in contact dermatitis: Spanish surveillance system on contact allergies]

The high prevalence of contact dermatitis means that this common medical problem has considerable personal, societal, and economic impact. Clinical and epidemiologic research is needed if we are to shed light on the real situation of contact dermatitis in Spain. In this article we will look at epidemiologic research from a practical point of view and analyze the role of the dermatologist in planning and designing studies. The advantages of multicenter studies are discussed, along with the roles of national and international surveillance networks. We present the Spanish Surveillance System on Contact Allergies, which serves as a bridge between Spanish dermatologists and the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies. The present and future aims of the Spanish network are described.

Verrucous carcinoma of the foot affecting the bone: utility of the computed tomography scanner

Verrucous Carcinoma (VC) of the foot often affects deep structures such as tendons, muscles or bone. The complete removal of the tumor is essential to avoid recurrences. Radiological studies should be performed before surgical planning in order to determine the extent of the tumor. A 54-year-old man presented with a VC of the foot. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a soft-tissue mass affecting the plantar aponeurosis and the sole muscles, without evidence of bone invasion. Computed tomography (CT) showed a lytic area with cortical disruption in the fourth metatarsal neck. A transmetatarsal amputation was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the bone invasion. MRI is considered the imaging technique of choice in studying VC of the foot. Computed tomography is superior to MRI in determining minimum changes in the cortical bone related to tumor invasion. We conclude that when MRI images are not conclusive, CT scan is a good alternative to determine incipient bone invasion.

[Erysipelas and cellulitis: a retrospective study of 122 cases]

BACKGROUND

Erysipelas and cellulitis are relatively common cutaneous infections that can sometimes be the cause of a prolonged hospital admission. The objective of this study was to determine the most relevant epidemiologic factors and their influence on the length of hospital stay, comparing our results with those of previous studies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study of 122 patients admitted over a 5-year period to the dermatology department of our hospital with a diagnosis of erysipelas or cellulitis.

RESULTS

Patients with a diagnosis of erysipelas or cellulitis represented 8.6% of all admissions during the study period. The mean age was 58.93 years and the female to male ratio was 1.06:1. The most common site of involvement was on the legs (76.22%). Overweight or obesity was present in 42.6% of patients and tinea pedis was detected in 33.6% of cases. A skin abscess developed in 7.4% of cases. The mean length of admission was 10.20 days; length of stay increased with age and with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) on admission (P < .01 for both differences).

CONCLUSIONS

We confirm general epidemiologic factors such as sex and age distributions, predominant site, past history, and length of hospital stay. In view of their predictive value for the length of hospital stay, we propose that age and the ESR on admission should be considered to be indirect indicators of disease severity.