Clinical and experimental dermatology
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Oct 2011
ReviewPathomechanisms of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: new insights.
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), previously known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, is a generalized fibrotic disorder occurring in people with renal failure, following exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents used to enhance MRI. The cellular elements involved in pathology of NSF include bone-marrow-derived collagen-producing fibrocytes, myofibroblasts and activated macrophages. ⋯ Gadolinium (both free and chelated) is thought to be a bioactive trigger for NSF. Elucidation of these potential pathomechanisms would be useful for development of targeted therapies for NSF.
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Oct 2011
Specific cutaneous lesions in patients with systemic sarcoidosis: relationship to severity and chronicity of disease.
Specific (granulomatous) cutaneous lesions are seen in 9-37% of cases of systemic sarcoidosis, and are usually classified into maculopapules, plaques, lupus pernio (LP), scar sarcoidosis, and subcutaneous sarcoidosis. Their prognostic significance has not been fully established. ⋯ Cutaneous granulomatous lesions are usually present at the diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis, and the type of cutaneous involvement may have prognostic significance.
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Aug 2011
Multicenter StudyCurrent application of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance in the management of patients with severe psoriasis: a clinical audit against NICE guidance in seven National Health Service specialist dermatology units in England.
Psoriasis affects 1-2% of the U.K. population, with 20-30% of those affected having severe psoriasis managed with systemic therapies. Biological agents are a useful option when other systemic therapies have failed. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the U.K. has published three sets of guidance relating to the use of biological agents. ⋯ In the seven sites audited, compliance with national guidance was entirely appropriate in terms of therapy initiation; however, the requirement to discontinue etanercept in responders was rarely followed. Similarly, discontinuation of biologicals in nonresponders was not routine practice. This may indicate a reluctance of both patients and clinicians to withdraw an at least partly effective therapy from these refractory patients.
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Dec 2010
Review Case ReportsPrimary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified with an indolent clinical course: a distinct peripheral T-cell lymphoma?
Primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTL), unspecified, are rare lymphomas, with a poor prognosis. They grow and disseminate rapidly, leading to widespread disease. ⋯ Despite its aggressive histology, this tumour behaved indolently. It is remarkably similar, clinically and histologically, to four recently described cases that occurred on the ear.