A 33-year-old male had a 22-year history of generalized xanthogranulomas but had a normal lipid profile. He also developed ulcerating plaques on his arm and back that were consistent with cutaneous tuberculosis on histopathologic and polymerase chain reaction PCR studies. In a normolipemic patient with generalized xanthogranulomas, a reactive granulomatous response of histiocytes to infection is explored since these share a common CD 14+ precursor with the macrophages that are vital in tuberculosis.

Human ; Tuberculosis ; Histiocytes ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous ; Xanthomatosis

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to confirm the association between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). It also aimed to determine if early-onset AGA among males and AGA among females increases the risk of developing MetS, and if severity of AGA increases the odds of developing MetS.

METHODS: Observational studies from electronic databases were selected by the consensus of three independent review authors. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for assessing the quality of non-randomized studies in meta-analysis was used. Statistical analyses were accomplished using Review Manager software.

RESULTS: A total of 11 case-control studies, one prospective cohort study, and five cross-sectional studies were selected. In the meta-analysis of ten case-control studies and three cross-sectional studies (3840 participants), AGA was significantly correlated with MetS (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.51 to 4.44; p<0.0005). Early-onset AGA among males (

CONCLUSION: Although the pathophysiology still remains under investigation, the present study points to an association between AGA and MetS. It can be used as a marker to identify patients who should be screened for MetS and managed accordingly.

Alopecia ; Metabolic Syndrome

This is a case of an 11-year-old male who presented with multiple neurofibromas with hypertrichosis. Classic cutaneous neurofibromas, café-au-lait macules, axillary freckling, Lisch nodules, and scoliosis were also present fulfilling a diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis type 1. This is the first report of multiple neurofibromas with hypertrichosis in the Philippines. Hypertrichosis overlying a neurofibroma is rarely reported and the mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Human ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Hypertrichosis ; Neurofibroma

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of excimer laser in combination with topical standard therapies for treatment of plaque-type psoriasis in comparison to excimer laser alone, standard topical treatment alone, or placebo.

METHODS: A literature search using Medline, Cochrane and HERDIN was conducted. Data were analyzed using mean difference at 95% confidence interval, with heterogeneity determined by I2 test.

RESULTS: Three articles with total of 130 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Topical treatments studied were vitamin analog (calcipotriol), anthralin (dithranol), and steroid (flumethasone pivalate). A subgroup analysis comparing combination therapy and excimer laser alone showed a greater reduction in pooled PASI score reduction (-2.52; 95% CI: -4.28, -0.77) in the combination group after five to six weeks. There was also a significantly greater reduction in cumulative UVB dose (-3.29; 95% CI: -4.29, -2.30) needed for clearing in the combination group. Pigmentation was the commonly observed adverse event in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Excimer laser, in combination with topical treatment, is more effective than excimer laser alone, with significantly lower cumulative UVB dose, but the quality of current evidence is low. Long-term controlled trials are warranted to increase our confidence in the estimates of these outcomes.

Lasers, Excimer ; Psoriasis ; Calcipotriene ; Anthralin ; Flumethasone ; Meta-analysis ; Systematic Review