Acne Scars

Am J Dermatopathol. 2009 Jul 23; Wiedemeyer K, Kutzner H, Abraham JL, Thakral C, Carlson JA, Tran TA, Hausser I, Hartschuh WGadolinium (Gd) is associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a severe disorder mimicking scleroderma with involvement of the skin, lungs, heart, liver, and muscles. There is strong evidence that specific Gd-containing contrast agents (GCCAs) used in magnetic resonance imaging can cause NSF when administered to patients with chronic kidney disease. We present the 8-year history of cutaneous NSF with osseous metaplasia that occurred in a 56-year-old man with dialysis-dependent renal failure who was exposed to GCCA [gadopentate dimeglumine (Magnevist; Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Pittsburgh, PA)]. Three months after exposure to GCCA, he developed pruritic, pigmented patches that slowly coalesced and darkened over 8 years. Although not recognized at onset, skin biopsy showed typical histology of NSF affecting the entire dermis: CD34/procollagen I spindle cells associated with fibrosis. Biopsy performed 6 years later showed superficial scar-like fibrosis that was CD34/procollagen I and had numerous elastocollagenous balls (refractile elastic fibers surrounded by coarse collagen). Biopsy 7 years later showed the superimposition of osseous metaplasia on elastocollagenous balls. Both of these later biopsies had typical NSF histology affecting the deep dermis and subcutis. Over time, there was progressive diminishment of CD34 and procollagen I+ cells and an increase in FXIIIa+ and CD68 cells. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy showed Gd deposits in all areas of typical NSF histology but not in the regions of scar-like fibrosis, elastocollagenous balls, or osseous metaplasia. We suspect that the later changes may represent a late, involuting stage of NSF.

J Craniofac Surg. 2009 Jul; 20(4): 1280-2Hwang KThe aim of this study is to determine the safety and complication of subciliary approach through the retrospective review of our experiences. From 2005 through 2008, the subciliary skin-muscle flap methods were used in 30 patients undergoing medial orbital wall reconstruction. Preoperative and postoperative ophthalmic findings including diplopia, Hertel exophthalmometry, and occurrence of complications were checked. Resorbable polylactic acid sheet or porous polyethylene sheet was trimmed and molded in L shape, vertical portion to cover the medial wall defect and horizontal portion for stability in orbital floor.In the follow-up of diplopia, half of the patients (3 cases) presenting with diplopia improved during the first month of follow-up, and all of them improved by 6 month. For hypesthesia, all patients improved by 3 months. Enophthalmos of 1 patient improved after operation and did not recur. No patients complained of visible scar 6 months postoperatively, and no ectropion was observed.We think that medial orbital wall could be reconstructed safely through skin-muscle flap subciliary approach without resulting in ectropion or lacrimal canaliculus injury.

Ophthalmic Res. 2009 Jul 23; 42(3): 152-154Quijano C, Querques G, Massamba N, Soubrane G, Souied EHAim: To describe a patient with type 3 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with fundus flavimaculatus (FFM), who underwent treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab. Methods: A 78-year-old woman diagnosed with FFM presented at our department complaining of decreased vision and metamorphopsia in her left eye. Upon a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), the patient was diagnosed with type 3 CNV associated with FFM, and was submitted to intravitreal ranibizumab injections at monthly intervals. Results: Six months after 3 monthly injections of ranibizumab, the patient's BCVA improved from 20/64 to 20/32. FA and ICGA revealed a type 3 CNV closure, and the SD-OCT scan showed a fibrous scar replacing the type 3 CNV, with resolution of serous retinal detachment. Conclusion: This case represents the first demonstration of type 3 CNV associated with FFM. Based on our findings, intravitreal ranibizumab may be considered as a therapeutic option for this rare association.

Br J Dermatol. 2009 Jul 14; Al-Refu K, Goodfield MSummary Background Scarring represents the single most debilitating aspect of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) in patients with cutaneous lesions alone. Despite this, there have been no studies which have attempted to classify the types of scars seen in this chronic disease. Objectives The aim was to classify the types of scars based on morphological description. Patients and methods Forty-five patients with histologically confirmed DLE were included in the study. In the assessment of the types of scars, the scars were scored initially according to their anatomical localization. Each anatomical area was assessed for the types of scars which occurred in these areas. Results Scars in patients with DLE were initially classified morphologically into six types according to the site of the scar and then each type was classified into subtypes according to the morphology of the scar. Scars were seen in the majority of the patients and scarring affected mostly areas including the scalp, other hairy areas such as the eyebrows, nonhairy areas, mucosa, fatty layers of the skin and the nails. This study demonstrated that scars may not only produce textural changes but may also produce pigmentary changes. It is possible that other types of scars may yet occur in DLE but have not so far been detected. Conclusions Early classification and identification of the types of scars in these patients may change management towards more aggressive therapy in those with continued disease activity, and it is possible that different types of scarring require different therapies.