1.Severe Papulopustular Rosacea with Demodicosis in a 47-year-old Filipino female: A case report
Aira Monica R. Abella ; Johannes F. Dayrit
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2021;30(2):65-68
Introduction:
Rosacea is a chronic relapsing inflammatory facial dermatosis often characterized by flare-ups and remissions
exclusively affecting the centrofacial skin.
Case report:
This is a case of multiple symmetric intensely erythematous papules, pustules, and plaques over both cheeks in
a 47-year-old Filipino female. Dermoscopy showed brown-yellowish structureless areas, straight vessels in a polygonal pattern,
dilated follicles, follicular plugs, ill-defined white rosettes, and non-specific scales. Skin punch biopsy showed spongiosis of
the epidermis and demodex folliculorum within the follicular infundibulum. The dermis revealed telangiectasia of blood vessels
and dense inflammatory infiltrates. Hypertrophy of sebaceous lobules was also seen. The patient was initially treated with oral
lymecycline 300mg twice a day for 2 weeks without improvement. Due to the persistence of centrofacial erythema, papules and
pustules, the patient was given prednisone 10mg once a day for 1 month and low dose isotretinoin 10mg once a day for 8 months
which resulted in significant decrease in erythema and number of existing lesions. To further decrease the inflammation con-
tributed by demodex mites, permethrin 5% cream twice a day for 1 month was applied. Long-pulsed Neodymium-doped yttrium
aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) 1064 nm laser for a total of 10 sessions together with Isotretinoin 10 mg every other day effectively
maintained remission for 1 year and 5 months. Gentle skin care measures, sunscreen, metronidazole 0.75% cream once a day, and
desonide 0.05% cream twice a day for 1 week in cases of acute flares were maintained during the treatment course.
Conclusion
An armamentarium of topical and oral antibiotics, corticosteroids, isotretinoin and non-ablative long-pulsed
Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser showed significant improvement in the inflammatory papules, pustules, and centrofacial erythema of rosa-
cea and proves to be beneficial in the maintenance of its long-term remission.
Rosacea
;
Isotretinoin
;
Lymecycline
2.Oral sirolimus in the treatment of adult eruptive cherry angiomas
Christine Lyka R. Sayson, MD ; Aira Monica R. Abella, MD ; Danielle Marlo R. Senador, MD ; Leilani R. Senador, MD, FPDS ; Gisella U. Adasa, MD, FPDS
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2023;32(1):35-38
Introduction:
Cherry angiomas are a common type of acquired vascular proliferation of the skin which manifest as single or multiple
bright red spots that usually appear on the trunk and arms. They are generally asymptomatic; patients may opt to remove the lesions for
cosmetic reasons and prevention of bleeding. Conventionally, most cherry angiomas are treated with curettage, laser, and electrosurgery. Herein, we report a case of multiple cherry angiomas managed alternatively with oral sirolimus.
Case:
A 47-year-old Filipino female presented with a 10-month history of gradually enlarging multiple bright-red papules and
pedunculated nodules with a propensity to spontaneously bleed on gentle manipulation involving the scalp and forehead. Clinicopathological correlation suggests a diagnosis of eruptive cherry angiomas. The patient was started on oral sirolimus, a mammalian target of
rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor.
Conclusion
We present a case of a patient with eruptive cherry angiomas who experienced significant decrease in size and bleeding
with treatment of oral sirolimus with minimal adverse effects. For patients with eruptive cherry angiomas, especially with contraindicated
comorbidities, first-line therapeutic option treatments with oral sirolimus can be beneficial.
sirolimus
;
vascular malformation
3.Dermoscopic features and management strategy of a 10-year history acral lentiginous melanoma in a 55-year-old Filipino
Alexis G. De las Alas, MD ; Aira Monica R. Abella, MD ; Kristy Elleza R. Evangelista, MD, FPDS ; Gisella U. Adasa, MD, FPDS
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2023;32(1):39-42
Introduction:
Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the most common type of cutaneous melanoma in Asians that is not associated
with ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure. Dermoscopy enables clinicians to distinguish between benign and malignant acral melanocytic
lesions, with some dermoscopic characteristics playing a role in staging and have prognostic implications, which allows for appropriate
surgical intervention. The difficulty of making an early diagnosis of ALM is highlighted by this case. ALM’s destructive nature, alongside
the patient’s lack of awareness and vigilance, and healthcare access inequality, influences its prognosis.
Case Report
This is a case of a long-standing acral lentiginous melanoma with no palpable lymphadenopathies in which it was not immediately detected through biopsy. Upon detection, wide excision with 2 cm margins and disarticulation of the 5th digit of the right foot
reconstructed with a fasciocutaneous advancement flap with split thickness skin graft, grafted from the right anterior thigh was done.
dermoscopy
4.An atypical case of a 14-year-old Filipino female with non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia presenting with alopecia universalis
Erwin John R. Aquino ; Aira Monica R. Abella ; Ma. Teresita G. Gabriel
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2022;31(2):41-43
Introduction:
Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) represents a group of inherited, autosomal recessive disor-
ders that typically presents with androgenetic alopecia, but may present with alopecia universalis on rare occasions.
Case report:
We report a case of a 14-year-old Filipino female with non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia presenting with
alopecia universalis, treated with a combination of Tretinoin and Minoxidil solution, low dose prednisone and an oral supplement
containing zinc gluconate, nicotinamide, superoxide dismutase, vitamin E and selenium, with noted gradual hair regrowth and
improvement in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).
Conclusion
Alopecia universalis in a patient diagnosed with non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a rare and atypical
manifestation, with no case reports available to describe its occurrence. Due to its rarity, there is no standard treatment for pa-
tients with this condition. However, the combination of tretinoin and minoxidil solution, low dose prednisone and an oral supple-
ment containing zinc gluconate, nicotinamide, superoxide dismutase, vitamin E and selenium shows promising results.
Minoxidil
;
Tretinoin
5.Treatment conundrum: A case of recalcitrant Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita (EBA) in a 50-year-old Filipino male
Danelle Anne L. Santos, MD ; Aira Monica R. Abella, MD ; Danica-Grace Tungol, MD, DPDS ; Leilani R. Senador, MD, FPDS
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2023;32(1):31-34
Introduction:
Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita (EBA) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease which presents in the skin and mucous
membranes. The decrease in anchoring fibrils in the basement membrane zone causes separation of the epidermis from the dermis,
resulting in its blistering presentation. The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the disease. The first-line treatment for mild
EBA includes topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators such as dapsone and colchicine; while severe cases of EBA may be given
intravenous immunoglobulins, systemic steroids, and immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide.
Case Report:
This is a case of a 50-year-old Filipino male who presented with a 2-year history of vesicles and tense bullae which evolved
into papules, plaques and erosions with scarring and milia formation on the scalp and trauma-prone areas of the trunk and extremities.
Clinical examination revealed multiple, well-defined, irregularly shaped erythematous papules and plaques with crusts, scales, erosions, pearl-like milia and scarring on the chest, back, upper, and lower extremities. The oral mucosa was moist with some ulcers on the
tongue. Histopathologic examination using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain revealed the absence of the epidermis with retention of
dermal papillae suggestive of subepidermal clefting. Further examination with direct immunofluorescence (DIF) revealed monoclonal
immunoglobulin (IgG) deposits demonstrating an intense linear fluorescent band at the dermoepidermal junction, consistent with Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita. Overall, the combined administration of prednisone, azathioprine, and colchicine resulted only in transient
and incomplete resolution of lesions in this case of EBA.
Conclusion
The management of EBA is mostly supportive with the goal of minimizing complications. Combination treatments using
steroids, colchicine, and azathioprine have been reported with various results. Its management remains challenging as most cases are
refractory to treatment.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita
;
bullous disease
;
azathioprine
;
colchicine
;
prednisone