1.A 35-year-old hemophiliac with pseudotumor of the thigh.
Panganiban Michelle O. ; Ramirez Mae N. ; Zamora Rosally P. ; Escasa Ivy Mae S ; Mejia Agnes D. ; Vergel De Dios Ariel M.
Acta Medica Philippina 2010;44(3):72-77
Human
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Young Adult
;
Hemophilia A
;
Neoplasms
;
Thigh
;
Lower Extremity
2.Present tense: A peculiar case of Pemphigus Vulgaris presenting with tense blisters during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dianne Katherine R. Salazar-Paras ; Mae N. Ramirez-Quizon
Acta Medica Philippina 2021;55(5):569-573
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune bullous dermatosis presenting with flaccid blisters and erosions. The morphology of pemphigus reflects the more superficial intraepidermal level of split seen histologically in contrast with pemphigoid, where the level of split is deep below the epidermis. This is a case of a 58-year-old male clinically presenting with arcuate tense bullae, which are more characteristic of the pemphigoid group of disorders, which revealed an intraepidermal split and tombstoning pattern of the basal epidermis on histopathology. Direct immunofluorescence revealed intercellular IgG and C3 distribution. Although this patient presented clinically with tense bullae, the histopathology and direct immunofluorescence results were consistent with pemphigus vulgaris.
Pemphigus
;
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
3.Spot the difference: A case of Hailey-Hailey Disease in a 64-year-old Filipino female
Raisa Celine R. Rosete ; Juan Paolo David S. Villena ; Mae N. Ramirez-Quizon
Acta Medica Philippina 2021;55(5):563-568
Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is an uncommon acantholytic disorder of the skin. This is a case of a 64-year-old Filipino female with a chronic history of painful and malodorous intertriginous plaques. Histopathologic evaluation showed overlapping features of pemphigus vulgaris and Hailey-Hailey disease. A negative direct immunofluorescence test clinched the diagnosis of Hailey-Hailey disease. The patient was advised regarding preventive measures and treated with topical antibiotics and corticosteroids with improvement of her lesions.
Pemphigus, Benign Familial
;
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
4.Bullous Mastocytosis in a Filipino infant: A case study
Blythe N. Ke ; Shahara Abalos-Babaran ; Jay-V James G. Barit ; Mia Katrina R. Gervacio ; Mae N. Ramirez-Quizon
Acta Medica Philippina 2021;55(5):587-591
Introduction:
Mastocytosis is a disease defined by the proliferation of mast cells in organs, most commonly the skin. It may affect any age group but is usually found in children in the first year of life. We present a case of diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis manifesting in the rare bullous form.
Case:
A 4-month-old Filipino male presented with multiple bullae on the head, trunk, and extremities after applying chamomile oil. Biopsy of the skin demonstrated numerous mast cells, confirming the diagnosis of bullous mastocytosis. The patient was treated with oral antihistamines and corticosteroids, which was followed by a good response.
Conclusion
Diagnosis of diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis may be challenging due to its rarity. Proper management requires preventive measures, symptomatic treatment, as well as communication of prognosis with the stakeholders.
Mastocytosis, Cutaneous
5.Ocular findings among Filipino patients with Leprosy in a tertiary hospital: A cross-sectional survey
Mae N. Ramirez ; Mark Anthony D. San Juan ; Jay-V James G. Barit ; Jacinto U. Dy-Liacco ; Belen L. Dofitas
Acta Medica Philippina 2021;55(5):538-543
Background:
Leprosy, a chronic granulomatous disease affecting mainly the skin and peripheral nerves, has widely recognized ocular complications. It is a significant cause of visual impairment in countries where it is still prevalent, including the Philippines.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study that determined the clinical profile and distribution of ocular pathology among Filipino patients with leprosy seen at a tertiary institution in the Philippines.
Results:
A total of 67 patients consented to be included in the study and were evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Thirty-seven out of the 67 patients diagnosed with leprosy had reported ocular findings. The average age was 41.2 ± 13.1 years and the majority of patients were men (78%). Thirty-six patients were multibacillary cases, 10 (27%) had a lepra reaction, and 24 (65%) were undergoing multi-drug therapy. Three patients had varying degrees of visual acuity impairment (one was visually impaired with visual acuity [VA] 6/24-6/60, one with VA 3/60-5/60, and one with VA <3/60). Steroid-induced cataracts occurred in four patients (6%) with concurrent or previous systemic corticosteroid treatment for lepra reactions. Univariate logistic regression and Fisher’s exact test of patient-, disease-, and treatment-related variables on ocular morbidity revealed non-significant values for all variables except for age with an odds ratio of 1.1 (95% CI, 1.04, 1.16) (p = 0.001).
Conclusions
No ocular morbidities directly caused by leprosy were seen, and treatment-related ocular findings (steroid-induced cataracts) were the only morbidities documented. There is an age-related risk for developing ocular morbidity in patients with leprosy.
Cataract
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Eye Diseases
;
Leprosy
6.A literature review and clinical consensus guidelines on the management of Bullous Pemphigoid
Clarisse G. Mendoza ; Josef Symon S. Concha ; Cybill Dianne C. Uy ; Bryan K. Guevara ; Evelyn R. Gonzaga ; Maria Jasmin J. Jamora ; Jamaine L. Cruz‑Regalado ; Katrina C. Estrella ; Melanie Joy D. Ruiz ; Rogelio A. Balagat ; Mae N. Ramirez‑Quizon ; Johanna Pauline L. Dizon ; Marie Eleanore O. Nicolas
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2023;32(2):63-76
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease primarily characterized by
tense blisters and occasionally with urticarial plaques, affecting the skin and mucous membranes. These are
caused by autoantibodies against BP180 and BP230 which target antigens on the basement membrane zone.
The diagnosis relies on the integration of clinical, histopathological, immunopathological, and serological
findings. The management depends on the clinical extent and severity. We present in this article a literature
review and the clinical consensus guidelines of the Immunodermatology Subspecialty Core Group of the
Philippine Dermatological Society in the management of BP.
Pemphigoid, Bullous