Tinea capitis in the United States: Diagnosis, treatment, and costs.
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Administration, Oral↗
Biomedical subjects
Sheila Fallon Friedlander
Publications and source records attributed to Sheila Fallon Friedlander.
Topical fluticasone propionate lotion does not cause HPA axis suppression.
OBJECTIVE: To establish the absence of adrenal suppression of fluticasone propionate (FP) 0.05% lotion when applied extensively to children (3 months to 6 years), with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD). STUDY DESIGN: Open-label, conducted at 6 US centers; 44 subjects (3 to 71 months) with widespread AD (mean body surface area treated, 65%) received FP lotion twice daily for up to 4 weeks. RESULTS: No significant differences in mean cortisol levels were detected before or after treatment. At baseline, mean (+/-standard deviation) cortisols before and after cosyntropin (CST) stimulation were 13 +/- 6 microg/dL and 35 +/- 6 microg/dL, respectively. End-treatment, pre-CST, and post-CST cortisols were 12 +/- 6 microg/dL and 33 +/- 8 microg/dL, respectively. All 42 subjects with end-treatment post-CST cortisols demonstrated a normal adrenal response to CST (>18.0 microg/dL). FP lotion was well tolerated. Subjects who had blood drawn for bioavailability showed no correlation between FP levels and end-treatment post-CST cortisols. CONCLUSIONS: In patients as young as 3 months, FP lotion had no effect on HPA axis function and did not cause skin thinning even when used extensively over widespread, severe inflammatory disease. These results, together with others from studies using cream and ointment, provide further evidence of the safety of FP.
Administration, Cutaneous↗
Early stroke and cerebral vasculopathy in children with facial hemangiomas and PHACE association.
PHACE association is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome that may include posterior fossa malformations, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, eye abnormalities, and sternal defects. The arterial abnormalities may be developmental or acquired and usually involve the cervical and cerebral vasculature. We believe that infants with PHACE association are at increased risk of arterial ischemic stroke and describe 5 infants with facial hemangiomas and structural and acquired arterial anomalies, all of whom suffered an arterial ischemic stroke during infancy.
Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations↗
Myeloid cells in infantile hemangioma.
Little is known about the pathogenesis of infantile hemangiomas despite the fact that they are relatively common tumors. These benign neoplasms occur in as many as 1 in 10 births, and although rarely life threatening, hemangiomas can pose serious concerns to the cosmetic and psychosocial development of the afflicted child. Ulceration, scarring, and disfigurement are significant problems as are encroachment of the ear and eye, which can threaten hearing and vision. The precise mechanisms controlling the rapid growth observed in the first months of life and the spontaneous involution that follows throughout the course of years remain unknown. In this report we demonstrate the presence of large numbers of hematopoietic cells of the myeloid lineage in proliferating hemangiomas and propose a mechanism for the observed evolution of these lesions that is triggered by hypoxia and involves the participation of myeloid cells. We report the results of experiments using myeloid markers (CD83, CD32, CD14, CD15) that unexpectedly co-labeled hemangioma endothelial cells, providing new evidence that these cells are distinct from normal endothelium.
Antigens, CD↗
General anesthesia for pediatric dermatologic procedures: risks and complications.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and adverse events associated with the use of general anesthesia in children undergoing elective dermatologic procedures. DESIGN: A multicenter retrospective review. SETTING: Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, Calif, and Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill. PATIENTS: The study population comprised 269 children and adolescents ranging in age from 2 months to 18 years (881 procedures performed by 6 pediatric dermatologic and laser surgeons). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The risk of an adverse event occurring during general anesthesia for pediatric dermatologic procedures. RESULTS: The risk of general anesthesia in elective pediatric dermatologic procedures was low: 90% of patients experienced no clinically relevant complications. The most common clinically relevant adverse effect of general anesthesia was perioperative nausea and emesis, which was noted in 4% of patients. There were no serious life-threatening events noted, and the mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSION: The use of general anesthesia for dermatologic procedures in a children's hospital setting appears safe, with a low rate of complications.
Adolescent↗
Corticosteroids: options in the era of steroid-sparing therapy.
Topical corticosteroids remain the most commonly used topical treatments for inflammatory dermatoses, including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Topical corticosteroids are available in a variety of vehicles-creams, ointments, lotions, gels, and, more recently, foam. The vehicle used can substantially affect the individual agent's clinical action, potency, and acceptability to the patient. Moreover, some vehicles are better suited for specific body areas. Selection of the appropriate product should be determined by area of usage, physician experience, cost, and patient preference, particularly regarding vehicle. Although topical corticosteroids are associated with several side effects, including skin atrophy, telangiectases, purpura, and striae formation, appropriate usage can minimize these occurrences. Judicious use includes short-term, appropriate application as initial monotherapy or in combination strategies with other therapeutic agents that ideally possess complementing mechanisms of action. Examples include pulsing with high-potency topical corticosteroids and combination regimens with other topical agents such as topical calcineurin inhibitors, calcipotriene, or tazarotene. Appropriate education of patients and caregivers alike will facilitate the optimal use of these medications.
Administration, Topical↗
A randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of fluconazole in the treatment of pediatric tinea capitis.
BACKGROUND: Griseofulvin is considered first-line therapy for tinea capitis, and the Physician's Desk Reference currently recommends 11 mg/kg per day microsize formulation for use in children. Diverse selective pressures have resulted in waning clinical efficacy of griseofulvin, such that higher doses and longer courses of treatment are required. These events have prompted the search for therapeutic alternatives. Fluconazole is one such treatment option, and a variety of studies using this drug have shown promise in the treatment of pediatric tinea capitis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the efficacy, safety, and optimal dose and duration of fluconazole therapy compared with standard-dose griseofulvin (11 mg/kg per day microsize formulation) in the treatment of pediatric tinea capitis. METHODS: This randomized, multicenter, third-party-blind, 3-arm trial was designed as a superiority study to identify a therapeutically superior agent/regimen from the 3 treatment arms: (1) fluconazole 6 mg/kg per day for 3 weeks followed by 3 weeks of placebo, (2) fluconazole 6 mg/kg per day for 6 weeks, and (3) griseofulvin 11 mg/kg per day for 6 weeks. Efficacy variables included mycological, clinical, and combined outcomes. The primary efficacy variable was the combined outcome of the modified intent-to-treat population at week 6. Patient safety was assessed throughout the study. Statistical analysis of the efficacy variables was conducted by means of the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. RESULTS: At the end of treatment, mycological cures were present in 44.5%, 49.6%, and 52.2% of the fluconazole 3-week, fluconazole 6-week, and griseofulvin groups, respectively. Analysis of the primary efficacy variable failed to identify any superior agent, and differences between the combined outcomes of the fluconazole 6-week and griseofulvin groups at week 6 were not significant (P = .32). Regarding mycological, clinical, and combined outcomes, no significant differences between the fluconazole 6-week and griseofulvin groups were detected at any time point in the study. No new safety concerns were raised by this trial, and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events noted in this study is concordant with previous reports. Patients in the fluconazole arms of the study fared similarly. At the end of the trial, the difference in mycological cures between the fluconazole arms was only 7.5%, and increases in the incidence of certain treatment-related adverse events were observed in the fluconazole 6-week group. LIMITATIONS: Adjunctive topical therapies and the impact of infected contacts were not assessed in this trial. CONCLUSION: Systemic therapy with fluconazole 6 mg/kg per day and standard-dose griseofulvin produces comparable but low mycological and clinical cure rates. The limited efficacy of standard-dose griseofulvin and the lack of consensus regarding dose and duration of griseofulvin therapy in tinea capitis emphasize the need for controlled trials to identify optimal treatment parameters. Although the efficacy of fluconazole is no better than that of standard-dose griseofulvin, it may still be useful in select patients with a contraindication or intolerance to high-dose griseofulvin. The outcomes observed in this trial highlight the need to more clearly define the relative importance of adjunctive topical therapies and the evaluation and treatment of infected contacts as factors affecting cure rates.
Antifungal Agents↗
Koilonychia, dome-shaped epiphyses, and vertebral platyspondylia.
A 2.5-year-old girl presented with koilonychia since birth and was subsequently found to have dome-shaped femoral epiphyses and platyspondylia with anterior central tongues on a skeletal survey.
Abnormalities, Multiple↗
Recent progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis of infantile hemangiomas.
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Forecasting↗
Tinea capitis: a treatment update.
Currently, many experts consider griseofulvin to be the drug of choice for tinea capitis. It is FDA approved for this indication, highly efficacious, and has an excellent long-term safety record. Nonetheless, there is now ample evidence documenting the efficacy and safety of other antifungal agents. Terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole have been used off-label in the United States and United Kingdom for tinea capitis. Several studies have shown that short-term terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole each are comparable in efficacy and safety to griseofulvin. High-dose griseofulvin is still the first-line therapy for tinea capitis in our practice, but a large-scale, multicenter trial of higher dose terbinafine is now ongoing, and positive efficacy and safety results from that study may lead to a change in our standard of care. Terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole currently are used in patients who have either failed griseofulvin or developed adverse reactions to this medication. Families must be informed that these other antifungal agents are not FDA-approved for this indication when they are used. Guidelines for therapy with each of these agents are summarized in Table 5. In addition, the adjuvant use of antifungal shampoos is recommended for all patients in order to decrease the viability of fungal spores present on the hair, as well as for all household contacts to prevent infection or eliminate the carrier state.
Antifungal Agents↗
Venous malformations in blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: variable onset of presentation.
Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare disorder characterized by discrete venous malformations of varying size and appearance that are present on the skin and within the gastrointestinal tract. The characteristic cutaneous lesions consist of deep-blue, soft, rubbery blebs, which are easily compressible. A serious complication is gastrointestinal bleeding. Because venous malformations were described historically as cavernous hemangiomas, the lesions of BRBNS were also inappropriately called hemangiomas in the literature. We describe 3 cases to delineate the venous malformations of BRBNS and to highlight their variable onset of presentation and progression. In one case, a venous malformation was noted during a prenatal ultrasound evaluation at 5 months gestation. The other 2 cases demonstrated a lack of the classic cutaneous lesions at birth. BRBNS consists of multiple venous malformations, rather than hemangiomas as described. Subcutaneous venous malformations may occasionally be the sole presenting finding in patients with this unusual syndrome, and may be evident even in the prenatal period.
Female↗
New treatments for tinea capitis.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Tinea capitis, a dermatophyte infection involving the hair shaft on the scalp, is primarily a disease of preadolescent children. The predominant pathogen varies according to the geographical location. Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis account for the majority of infections in north America and certain parts of Europe. The current standard of care for the treatment of tinea capitis in the USA is oral griseofulvin, but evidence is accumulating that some of the newer antifungal agents may also be useful. RECENT FINDINGS: The newer oral antifungal agents such as terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole seem to be effective, safe, and have the advantage of a shorter treatment duration. Although a significant number of clinical studies and reports have documented experience with terbinafine and itraconazole for the treatment of tinea capitis, it should be noted that only a few trials have been conducted utilizing fluconazole. Both 2% ketoconazole and 1% selenium sulfide shampoos are often recommended as adjuvant topical therapy. SUMMARY: Currently, many experts consider griseofulvin to be the drug of choice for tinea capitis. Short-term terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole therapy have been shown to be comparable in efficacy and safety with griseofulvin. Regular epidemiological surveillance of causative fungal organisms in the community and their antifungal susceptibility is an essential component in the management of this condition.
Administration, Oral↗
Bullous aplasia cutis congenita.
A tense yellow vesicle was noted on the back parietal scalp of a female newborn. This proved to be a bullous variant of aplasia cutis congenita. Only 16 cases of this apparently rare disorder have been previously reported. Histologic evaluation of such lesions reveals a distinct pattern containing fibrovascular stromas, edematous stroma, or both. Identical histologic findings are found in encephaloceles and meningoceles, supporting the recently proposed hypothesis that this variant of aplasia cutis may represent the form fruste of a neural tube closure defect. This disorder should be included in the differential diagnosis of vesicobullous lesions in the neonate. Bullous aplasia cutis congenita is a rare clinical subtype of aplasia cutis congenita with distinctive histologic findings. We present a new case, and summarize the clinical and histologic findings of the 16 cases previously reported in the English-language literature. Bullous or membranous aplasia cutis congenita may represent a form fruste of a neural tube defect.
Ectodermal Dysplasia↗
Identifying potential regulators of infantile hemangioma progression through large-scale expression analysis: a possible role for the immune system and indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) during involution.
Hemangiomas are benign endothelial tumors. Often referred to as hemangiomas of infancy (HOI), these tumors are the most common tumor of infancy. Most of these lesions proliferate rapidly in the first months of life, and subsequently slowly involute during early childhood without significant complications. However, they often develop on the head or neck, and may pose a significant cosmetic concern for families. In addition, a fraction of these tumors can grow explosively and ulcerate, bleed, or obstruct vision or airway structures. Current treatments for these tumors are associated with significant side effects, and our knowledge of the biology of hemangiomas is limited. The natural evolution of these lesions creates a unique opportunity to study the changes in gene expression that occur as the endothelium of these tumors proliferates and then subsequently regresses. Such information may also increase our understanding of the basic principals of angiogenesis in normal and abnormal tissue. We have performed large-scale genomic analysis of hemangioma gene expression using DNA microarrays. We recently identified insulin-like growth factor 2 as a potentially important regulator of hemangioma growth using this approach. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved in hemangioma involution. Here we explore the idea that hemangioma involution might be an immune-mediated process and present data to support this concept. We also demonstrate that proliferating hemangiomas express indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and discuss a possible mechanism that accounts for the often slow regression of these lesions.
CD3 Complex↗
Insulin-like growth factor 2 and potential regulators of hemangioma growth and involution identified by large-scale expression analysis.
Hemangiomas are benign tumors of the vascular endothelium and are the most common tumors of infancy. These tumors are characterized by an initial phase of rapid proliferation, which is followed, in most cases, by spontaneous involution. Although most lesions resolve without complication, there are some cases in which hemangiomas can be life threatening when occurring near a vital structure. Treatment for these aggressive tumors represents an unmet clinical need. In addition, this characteristic progression of hemangiomas through distinct phases provides a unique opportunity for studying endothelial cell biology and angiogenesis. Using DNA microarrays representing approximately 10,000 human genes, we identified insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) as a potentially important regulator of hemangioma growth. IGF-2 was highly expressed during the proliferative phase and substantially decreased during involution. This finding was confirmed at the message level by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and at the protein level by immunohistochemistry. IGF-2 protein was localized primarily to tumor vessels or vascular channels. Using a human hemangioma explant model, we show that IGF-2 promotes sprouting from intact hemangioma tissue. In addition, several angiogenesis-related factors, including integrins alpha(v)beta3 and alpha5beta1, are present in proliferating hemangiomas. During the involuting phase, an increase in several IFN-induced genes was observed. These studies identify potential regulators of hemangioma growth and involution and provide a foundation on which to build further mechanistic investigations into angiogenesis, using hemangiomas as a model.
Cell Division↗
Infantile hemangiomas: current knowledge, future directions. Proceedings of a research workshop on infantile hemangiomas, April 7-9, 2005, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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Female↗
Pityriasis lichenoides and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in a young girl.
Pityriasis lichenoides is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by erythematous, desquamative papules and plaques. An acute form, pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, and a chronic form, pityriasis lichenoides chronica, represent the two ends of the spectrum of this disorder. Most commonly seen in children and young adults, its etiology is unknown. We describe a young patient with concurrent pityriasis lichenoides and idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, a previously unreported association.
Biopsy, Needle↗