Search

Background. There is a lack of data regarding the use of narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). Many centres use this mode of treatment for children with AD; however, there have only been two previous studies observing the effect of NB-UVB in children with AD. Aim. We undertook a retrospective review of children with severe eczema who had undergone NB-UVB consecutively in our department between 1999 and 2005. Methods. All children with AD who had undergone NB-UVB consecutively in our department between 1999 and 2005 were identified from the phototherapy database. Their clinical notes were reviewed for information on age, sex, skin type, minimal erythema dose (MED), adjuvant therapy, previous therapy, adverse effects, number of exposures, cumulative dose, response to treatment and length of remission. Results. In total, 50 children (83%) completed more than 10 exposures of NB-UVB. Complete clearance or minimal residual activity was achieved in 20 children (40%). A good improvement was achieved in a further 10 children (23%), and a moderate improvement in 13 (26%). Children with MEDs > 390 mJ/cm2 were more likely to clear, and this was found to be statistically significant ( P = 0.02). Overall, the treatment was well tolerated and the median length of remission was 3 months. Conclusion. NB-UVB is an effective treatment for children with severe AD. Children with MEDs > 390 mJ/cm2 are more likely to clear. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of NB-UVB and long-term safety in treating children with severe AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the case of a 32-month Pakistani girl diagnosed with Griscelli's syndrome characterized by partial albinism and immunodeficiency. The girl suffers from developmental delay, abdominal pain, and lethargy. She was also diagnosed with acute meningitis and hydrocephalus. The patient's histological examination shows that she has histiocytic tumour with a degree of erythrophagocytosis and lymphophagocytosis. Details about Griscelli's syndrome are also presented.

Trichoepitheliomas are benign epidermal appendage tumours that present most commonly as solitary lesions, and less often as multiple, symmetrically distributed lesions on the face, scalp, neck and trunk. Only a few patients have been reported in whom trichoepitheliomas were found as unusually configured linear or plaque-like confluent lesions, all of which occurred in patients with skin types V or VI. We describe a white girl with a hemifacial plaque of confluent naevoid trichoepitheliomas, the first report of such lesions in a white patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 19-month-old South Asian boy, who was diagnosed with juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG). Topics mentioned include early diagnosis of exotropia and loss of vision, the further tests showing bilateral retinal detachment and the examination of several skin lesions. The article states the need to involve ophthalmology review as ocular JXG could include uveitis, hyphema and glaucoma.

The article presents a case of a 10-month-old girl with an asymptomatic purplish plaque on the right anterior chest, which had been present since birth. During the physical examination, a well-circumscribed nodule, composed of a dermal plaque with a superimposed cluster of firm yellow dermal nodules were found. Further, the histopathological findings of the disease, along with the diagnosis is also discussed.

The article presents a case involving a 13-year-old boy presented with a 3-month history of a slowly enlarging nontender xanthomatous-appearing nodule on his left elbow. He was diagnosed to have a primary tumoral calcinosis, characterized by large, calcified, painless masses, usually near joints, in otherwise healthy children and young adults. Histopathological findings and the discussion on the diagnosis are provided.

The article presents a letter to the editor on the treatment for recalcitrant hidradenitis suppurativa with oral ciclosporin.