1.Classic dermatomyositis in a 36-year-old Filipino female: A case report with emphasis on the early recognition of cutaneous findings of dermatomyositis.
Maria Cecilia P. lngente ; Katrina Carmela M. Belen ; Maria Jasmin J. Jamora
Journal of the Philippine Medical Association 2018;96(2):56-62
INTRODUCTION:
Dermatomyositis is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with characteristic
skin manifestations and proximal muscular weakness. In 30 percent of classic dermatomyositis,
skin findings precede muscle weakness. Since the initial skin lesions are not always highly
characteristic of dermatomyositis, there may be a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
CASE REPORT:
This is a case of a 36-year-old Filipino female who initially presented with
erythematous patches and plaques on the face, arms, and thighs. One week later, she
developed multiple, well-defined, erythematous to violaceous, edematous, tender patches and
plaques on the face, V of the neck, upper back, proximal extremities and buttocks. Seven
weeks later, she developed proximal muscle weakness described as difficulty in raising her
arms and difficulty in standing up from a sitting position. Histopathology was consistent with
dermatomyositis. SGPT, C3, ANA, and anti-ds-DNA were normal. SGOT and creatine kinase
were 5 and 15 times the normal value, respectively. She was treated with prednisone from the
first week of illness and hydroxychloroquine from the fifth week of illness. Her condition greatly
improved with no progression of the disease for the succeeding 3 years.
CONCLUSION
Even in the absence of muscle weakness, there should be a high index of
suspicion for dermatomyositis in patients with confluent, erythematous patches and plaques on
the face, trunk and proximal extremities. Adequate work-up and clinical monitoring will pave
the way for early diagnosis and consequently early treatment and a better patient outcome.
Dermatomyositis
2.Dermoscopic features of red tumors among Filipino patients seen at two centers
Katrina Carmela M. Belen ; Jasmin J. Jamora ; Ma. Cecilia P. Ingente
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2018;27(1):25-33
Background:
Dermoscopy, a non-invasive diagnostic tool, has been proven to improve the diagnostic accuracy of vascular
tumors since it can aid in identifying vascular structures as well as morphology of vessels. Tumor depth and precise
vascular structures can also be evaluated through dermoscopy.
Objective:
The study aimed to describe the dermoscopic features of red tumors in Filipino patients seen at the Outpatient
Dermatology Department of two centers from January 2013 to July 2014.
Methods:
Patients with red tumors were recruited to the study. Dermoscopic features were described for each tumor, and
histopathology was done.
Results:
A total of 44 patients were included in the study, and 45 red tumors were evaluated. The tumors were located on
the face (31%), trunk (36%), and extremities (33%). The majority of the red tumors were confirmed to be vascular tumors
(78%) on histopathology. Dermoscopic features that were found in the majority of vascular tumors seen were lacunae and
reddish homogenous areas. For non-vascular tumors, vessels were identifiable in 90% of the tumors seen.
Conclusion
In this study, the use of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of red tumors proved to be a useful preliminary tool that
aided in the observation of vascular pattern, albeit red lacunae, red to dark red homogenous areas, and different types of
vessels. The identification of these structures may aid in arriving at a more precise diagnosis and help differentiate
vascular from non-vascular tumors.
Dermoscopy
3.A case report on alopecia areata incognita in a 19 year old Filipino female.
Janelle C. Cuaso-Tan ; Maria Cecilia P. lngente-Tablante ; Katrina Carmela M. Belen ; Maria Jasmin J. Jamora
Journal of the Philippine Medical Association 2021;100(1):77-79
INTRODUCTION
Alopecia areata incognita is a rare
form of alopecia areata which was first reported in
1987. The prevalence of this disease is unknown
but it is more common in women. The usual
presentation of alopecia areata incognita is acute,
diffuse hair thinning. In most cases, it lacks the
typical alopetic patches seen in alopecia areata. It
may resemble telogen effluvium and androgenetic
alopecia. The prognosis of this disease is favorable
and recovery is rapid and spontaneous. Case: A 19-
year-old Filipino female presents with a two-month
history of alopecia areata incognita. She initially had
a solitary round patch of hair loss on the scalp with
proximally tapered hair, rapidly evolving into
diffuse hair thinning. CBC, TFTS, FBS, HBA 1 c, ANA
and VDRL were unremarkable. Histopathology
demonstrated dense peribulbar lymphocytic
infiltrate, miniaturized hair and increased catagen
hair consistent with alopecia areata. There was
gradual hair growth after treatment with minoxidil
5% lotion and topical betamethasone dipropionate
0.05% lotion.
4.A descriptive study on the clinical, dermoscopic and histopathologic features of pigmented skin lesions among Filipino adults
Maria Cecilia P. Ingente ; ,Katrina Carmela M. Belen ; ,Ma. Jasmin J. Jamora ; John Michael F. Dellariarte ; Terese Monette O. Aquino
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2018;27(2):31-40
Background:
Dermoscopy increases the diagnostic accuracy of clinical visual inspection by 5% to 30%. This has led to a reduction of
unnecessary excision of benign skin lesions and the earlier diagnosis of malignant skin lesions.
Objectives:
To compare the concordance agreement of the clinical versus histopathologic diagnosis to the concordance agreement of the
dermoscopic versus histopathologic diagnosis of pigmented lesions.
Research Design:
This is a prospective, cross-sectional study of the clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological features of pigmented skin
lesions on patients seen at the Out-Patient Departments of Quirino Memorial Medical Center and Ospital ng Makati from March 2013 to
June 2014.
Methods:
Sixty-eight subjects fulfilled the criteria and were all included in the final analysis. Classification and definitive diagnosis of the
lesion as benign or malignant were determined thru clinical, dermoscopic and histopathologic features by one dermatopathologist. Kappa
and concordance analyses were performed to determine the statistical and concordance agreement among the results of the three
diagnostic procedures, respectively.
Results:
The statistical agreement between clinical versus histopathologic classification as benign or malignant was good (kappa=0.872),
while the statistical agreement was high (kappa=0.872) between dermoscopic versus histopathologic classification. Concordance
agreement between clinical versus histopathologic diagnosis showed fair agreement (concordance coefficient=0.2397) as compared to a
high agreement (concordance coefficient=0.98) in dermoscopic versus histopathologic diagnosis.
Conclusion
The use of dermoscopy in pigmented lesions aids the dermatologist in giving an accurate diagnosis without invasive
procedures. Knowledge of the dermoscopic features will help in the early clinical detection and management of benign and malignant
pigmented skin lesions.
Dermoscopy