1.Childhood disabling Pansclerotic Morphoea complicated by leg ulcers, contractures and gangrene
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2010;25(-):25-30
Disabling pansclerotic morphoea of childhood is a
subset of localized scleroderma. It is a rare disease
in both the adult and paediatric population.
E t i o l ogical factors are unknown although
autoimmune, infectious, genetic and environmental
factors have been postulated. Sclerotic plaques
predominantly affect the scalp, face, trunk and
extensor surfaces of limbs, leaving fingertips and
toes uninvo l ved. The absence of Raynaud’s
phenomenon, dysphagia, visceral involvement and
certain laboratory derangements diff e r e n t i a t e
systemic sclerosis and disabling pansclerotic
morphoea of childhood. Diagnosis can be
supported by histology. There are seve r a l
management options including topical, systemic
and phototherapy.
2.Fusarium Cutaneous Infection in a neutropenic girl with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Pan JY ; Ker KJ ; Audrey T ; Colin T ; Tan AM ; Tan HH
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2010;25(-):10-14
Fusarium species are common plant pathogens
present in the environment but can cause invasive
infections in immunocompromised patients,
especially those with haematologic malignancies
and bone marrow transplant recipients1. Tissue and
blood cultures are especially important as they offer
a high diagnostic yield in invasive fusariosis2-3.
Amphotericin B has been used as the mainstay of
treatment4 although resistant rates are high,
especially in Fusarium solani species5. The
treatment outcome is also closely related to rate of
recovery of neutropenia