Showing papers by "Marta Grazzini published in 2009"

Photodynamic treatment for viral infections of the skin.

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy (ALA/MAL-PDT) is indicated for the treatment of actinic keratoses, for superficial, nodular basal cell carcinoma and for Bowen's disease; there is evidence that PDT can be active also against bacteria, viruses and fungi. The new indications for PDT include many types of viral skin infections human papilloma virus (HPV)-related as verrucae of feet and hands, Condylomata acuminata, periungueal warts, epidermodysplasia verruciformis, but also viral skin lesions non HPV related as molluscum contagiosum and herpes simplex can be successfully treated. The use of PDT in HPV infections is due to its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative skills: in the lesions treated there is a release of cytotoxic radicals which damage keratinocytes infected by HPV, inducing their selective apoptosis and necrosis. The PDT application in this field of lesions is safe and successful; in comparison with the other techniques it has less side-effects and less recurrences, but the most important property is that it is not-invasive: it means a reduced risk of infections and excellent cosmetic results.

Solitary Cutaneous Metastasis as the First Sign of Relapse of Thyroid Carcinoma: A Clinical, Dermoscopic‐Pathologic Case Study

Abstract: Cutaneous metastases are a rare event, representing 0.7% to 2.0% of all cutaneous malignant neoplasms. They may be the first sign of a previously undiagnosed visceral malignancy or the initial presentation of a recurrent neoplasm. The frequency of cutaneous metastases according to the type of underlying malignancies varies with sex. In men, the most common internal malignancies leading to cutaneous metastases are lung cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, and renal cell carcinoma. In women, breast cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer are the most common malignancies leading to cutaneous metastases.

Prevalence and distribution of solitary oral pigmented lesions: a prospective study

Abstract: Solitary pigmented lesions are uncommon in the oral mucosa. A review of the literature reveals no information regarding the relative frequency of these lesions. The purpose of this study is to determine the relative prevalence of solitary oral pigmented lesions in a selected population of patients. This study includes 265 consecutive patients who accessed the dermatology out-patients' surgery of the Department of Dermatology, University of Florence between March 2006 and July 2007. The sample we studied presented 5.7% of oral pigmented lesions; the most frequent being vascular lesions. Despite the various methods used, the differential diagnosis for these particular lesions is not always easy. There is some difficulty in distinguishing between a benign pigmented lesion and a growing melanoma which, though rare (1% of all oral malignancies), is a serious and often fatal disease. Therefore, biopsy with histological exam represents the diagnostic gold standard.

Dermoscopy in pigmented squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract: Background:The diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is, generally, a clinical diagnosis, but in some cases, when the lesion is pigmented, as in our case, the differential diagnosis between pi...

Bullous pilomatricoma: a particular and rare dermal bullous disorder.

Abstract: © 2009 The Authors. doi: 10.2340/00015555-0442 Journal Compilation © 2009 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. ISSN 0001-5555 Sir, Pilomatricoma (known previously as “calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe”) is a slowly growing benign adnexal skin tumour. This neoplasm is usually asymptomatic and painless (although some patients report pain during episodes of inflammation or ulceration). It is considered an epithelioma that arises from hair follicles with cytodifferentiation of the hair matrix cells and the cells of the inner sheath. Pilomatricoma develops from an abnormal formation of cells that are similar to hair cells, which become hardened or calcified, in the lower dermis and subcutaneous fat. The calcified cells form a solitary firm nodule beneath the skin (1). Pilomatricoma typically affects young individuals, most cases occurring in children. There is a slightly higher prevalence in females. It is more common on the face and neck, but it is sometimes found on the scalp, eyelids and arms. The lesion is usually solitary, but there are multiple forms, that are associated with myotonic dystrophy, Gardner’s syndrome and other genetic disorders (1, 2). Diagnosing this lesion is usually easy, but there is a rare variant termed bullous, that can create some diagnostic problems.

Focused UV-B narrowband microphototherapy (Biopsorin). A new treatment for plaque psoriasis.

Abstract: Skin irradiation with ultraviolet light B (UV-B) and in particular the emission peak at 311 nm represents an effective therapeutic regimen for psoriasis. Excessive tanning, photoaging, and skin cancerization do occur mainly in subjects with skin photo- type I to III. The possibility of developing skin cancer is parallel to the skin surface area under treatment and to the overall irradiation dose. We report here on a new focused phototherapy method releasing UV-B with a peak at 311 nm, which consists in the selective irradiation of single psoriatic patches with a new device equipped with a special optic fiber. The treatment is effective, safe and well tolerated. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 is achieved in 64% of patients after 12 sessions of treatment. The Physician Global Assessment evaluation significantly improves in all treated patients.