Topical application of imiquimod and associated fever in children.
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Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Biomedical subjects
Joachim Krischer
Publications and source records attributed to Joachim Krischer.
Histopathologic correlation in dermoscopy: a micropunch technique.
BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a simple-to-use, in vivo method for the diagnosis of malignant melanoma and the differential diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions. It uses an immersion technique and optical magnification to visualize structures not visible to the naked eye. The anatomoclinical correlation of dermoscopic with histopathologic findings is important, and while many articles have described different techniques to achieve this goal, no direct correlation with a visual control has been described. We recently developed a micropunch technique that allows for the first time this direct correlation. OBSERVATIONS: After applying local anesthesia, the physician makes a superficial round incision using a 1-mm micropunch in the area of interest and leaves the punch in place. The lesion is documented using digital dermoscopy before and after surgery. Using these images, the laboratory technicians can easily visualize the precise site of the punch and its correlation with the initial dermoscopic image, and the sections are chosen in a way that they pass through the punch incision. The punch incision can be easily identified in the histopathologic slides because of its clear-cut borders. Since the punch always stays in place, this technique does not interfere with the interpretation of the slides (eg, measurement of the Breslow thickness). CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of our technique are that it is easy to perform by any clinician in any setting after a short setup and training period for the clinician and the laboratory technicians. Unlike with other techniques, the physician need not be present at the laboratory at the moment of the step sectioning. It can be performed in private practice and for many other indications besides pigmented skin lesions. Finally, since this technique allows for the first time a direct correlation between dermoscopic and histopathologic findings, the clinician will be able to "guide" the pathologist and indicate the precise areas of interest or suspicion.
Biopsy↗
Detection of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes from melanoma patients: direct comparison of multimarker molecular and immunopathological methods.
The technique of sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection is a reliable predictor of metastatic disease in the lymphatic basin draining the primary melanoma. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is emerging as a highly sensitive technique to detect micrometastases in SLNs, but its specificity has been questioned. A prospective SLN study in melanoma patients was undertaken to compare in detail immunopathological versus molecular detection methods. Sentinel lymphadenectomy was performed on 57 patients, with a total of 71 SLNs analysed. SLNs were cut in slices, which were alternatively subjected to parallel multimarker analysis by microscopy (haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry for HMB-45, S100, tyrosinase and Melan-A/MART-1) and RT-PCR (for tyrosinase and Melan-A/MART-1). Metastases were detected by both methods in 23% of the SLNs (28% of the patients). The combined use of Melan-A/MART-1 and tyrosinase amplification increased the sensitivity of PCR detection of microscopically proven micrometastases. Of the 55 immunopathologically negative SLNs, 25 were found to be positive on RT-PCR. Notably, eight of these SLNs contained naevi, all of which were positive for tyrosinase and/or Melan-A/MART-1, as detected at both mRNA and protein level. The remaining 41% of the SLNs were negative on both immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Analysis of a series of adjacent non-SLNs by RT-PCR confirmed the concept of orderly progression of metastasis. Clinical follow-up showed disease recurrence in 12% of the RT-PCR-positive immunopathology-negative SLNs, indicating that even an extensive immunohistochemical analysis may underestimate the presence of micrometastases. However, molecular analyses, albeit more sensitive, need to be further improved in order to attain acceptable specificity before they can be applied diagnostically.
Biomarkers, Tumor↗
Dermoscopy of pigmented seborrheic keratosis: a morphological study.
OBJECTIVES: To describe morphological features of seborrheic keratosis as seen by dermoscopy and to investigate their prevalence. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study using macrophotography and dermoscopy for the documentation of seborrheic keratosis. SETTINGS: Seborrheic keratoses were prospectively collected in 2 sites: a private practice in Plantation, Fla (site 1), and the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital Geneva in Switzerland (site 2). PATIENTS: A total of 203 pigmented seborrheic keratoses (from 192 patients) with complete documentation were collected (111 from site 1 and 93 from site 2). INTERVENTIONS: Screening for new morphological features of seborrheic keratosis and evaluation of all lesions for the prevalence of these criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of new morphological criteria and evaluation of frequency. RESULTS: A total of 15 morphological dermoscopic criteria were identified. Standard criteria such as milialike cysts and comedolike openings were found in a high number of cases (135 and 144, respectively). We found network and networklike structures to be present in 94 lesions (46%). Using standard diagnostic criteria for seborrheic keratosis, 30 lesions would not have been diagnosed as such. CONCLUSIONS: The classic dermoscopic criteria for seborrheic keratosis (milialike cysts and comedolike openings) have a high prevalence but the use of additional dermoscopic criteria such as fissures, hairpin blood vessels, sharp demarcation, and moth-eaten borders improves the diagnostic accuracy. The proper identification of pigment network and networklike structures is important for the correct diagnosis.
Biopsy, Needle↗
[Recommendations for the management of melanoma].
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Humans↗
Childhood bullous pemphigoid: report of a case with life-threatening course during homeopathy treatment.
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disorder that may very rarely occur in childhood. We describe a 9-month-old child who developed bullous pemphigoid while she was being treated for presumptive atopic eczema with a homeopathic regimen comprising sulfur, mercury, cantharides, and Rhus (Toxicodendron). She had generalized bullae and a progressive worsening of her general condition with asthenia, dehydration, malnutrition. While the role of homeopathy in triggering the disease remains unclear, our observation attests to the potential life-threatening course of childhood BP in instances where appropriate treatment is withheld.
Dermatitis, Atopic↗