The Journal of dermatological treatment
-
Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis frequently require systemic treatment and these medications may be associated with adverse effects. Little is known about the frequency of these events when systemic agents are used in true clinical practice. ⋯ Traditional psoriasis therapies are associated with significant adverse events in some patients despite toxicity-sparing approaches such as combination therapy. Clinicians need to be aware of screening for adverse events in order to best ensure the safety of their patients and to maximize the efficacy of a given agent. There is still a need for the development of safe and effective treatments for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The efficacy of combined PUVA and low-dose azathioprine for early and enhanced repigmentation in vitiligo patients.
Immunosuppressive agents are used widely in the treatment of vitiligo. Corticosteroids are used either alone or as adjuvant therapy by many practitioners. Cyclophosphamide and cycloporine-A have also been used with variable success. Azathioprine may have the potential for the treatment of vitiligo alone or in combination with other modalities. ⋯ Azathioprine may potentiate the repigmentary effects of PUVA therapy in vitiligo patients. A limitation of the study is the lack of validated measures for vitiligo assessment.
-
Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon, rapidly spreading infection, affecting primarily the deep fascia, which may result in secondary necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue, fascia and muscle. We report a patient that had the cardinal features; namely, excruciatingly painful lesions, demonstration of gas in the tissue and an obnoxious foul odor, prominent erythema, induration, patchy necrosis, and loss of sensation in the left buttock and thigh. ⋯ Debridement and intensive supportive therapy comprising antibiotics, analgesics and fluids were given. The outcome of the therapy was gratifying.
-
Case Reports
Cutaneous adverse effects during therapy with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor.
The use of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors for the treatment of solid tumours is now increasing. Cutaneous side effects, namely acneiform eruption, xerosis, telangiectasia, hyperpigmentation, fissures, hair and nail changes, are reported in literature. We describe a case of a man treated with an EGFR-inhibitor (erlotinib) for a cell lung cancer who developed skin manifestations localized in an uncommon area and with an atypical evolution.