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Background: Due to the very short T2 of its components, the normal anatomy of Achilles enthesis is impossible to define with "conventional" long echo time (TE) T2 sequences. However, this is a common site affected by rheumatologic disease. Early abnormalities related to inflammatory processes are impossible to detect in this location.Purpose: To assess the feasibility of a 3D-UTE (ultrashort echo time) sequence to evaluate normal and pathological Achilles entheses, determining both anterior fibrocartilaginous and posterior collagenic portions at 4.7T, in a rat model of spondyloarthropathy (SpA) with histological correlation. To assess whether this sequence detects SpA enthesopathy prior to long TE T2 sequences, enabling disease monitoring.Study Type: Prospective case-control study.Animal Model: Twelve immunocompetent Wistar male rats imaged before (controls); the model was induced in eight rats (16 tendons) imaged at day 6, day 13, and day 21 with regular sacrifice for ex vivo imaging and histological correlation.Field Strength: 4.7T Bruker Biospec Systems. 3D balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) and 3D-UTE sequences, performed at baseline (day 0, n = 12 animals / 24 tendons), day 6 (n = 8/16), 13 (n = 4/8), and day 21 (n = 2/4).Assessment: Visual analysis and signal intensity measurements (signal to noise ratio, SNR) of both bSSFP and UTE images were performed by two independent musculoskeletal radiologists at different locations of the Achilles enthesis and preinsertional area.Statistical Tests: Normal and pathological rat values were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, as well as interobserver differences. MRI findings were compared against histological data.Results: The 3D-UTE sequence identified the anterior fibrocartilage and posterior collagenic areas of Achilles entheses in all cases. Visual analysis and signal intensity measurements distinguished SpA-affected entheses from healthy ones at days 6 and 13 (P = 0.002 and P = 0.006, respectively). Neither the normal anatomy of the enthesis nor its pathological pattern could be identified on T2 bSSFP sequences.Data Conclusion: Unlike bSSFP T2 sequences, 3D-UTE sequences enable visualization of normal enthesis anatomy and early detection of abnormalities in pathological conditions.Level Of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:127-135. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study that determines the specific influence of oestrogen and progesterone on the distribution of melanosomes in cultivated explants of normal skin irradiated with ultraviolet. It offers details of the method of the study that uses electron microscopy. It outlines the result which indicates that ultraviolet B irradiation of skin under hormonal influence can be responsible for melasma pigmentary disorders.

The combination of skin ablation and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) ointment was previously tried in the treatment of vitiligo, and good results were specifically reported in glabrous skin without follicular melanocyte reservoirs. Methods. This study was carried out on the skins of seven guinea pigs: three were treated with mechanical dermabrasion plus topical 5-FU in an achromic area contiguous to a pigmented area; two were treated by only dermabrasion in a similar area; and two were treated by topical 5-FU alone. Clinical, histological, and ultrastructural studies were performed over two months. Results. In guinea pigs treated with dermabrasion plus 5-FU, we observed firstly a delay of wound healing with an obvious inflammatory reaction, and, after two months, evident pigment spread fromthe pigmented into the achromic area. After six months, we noticed black hair regrowing in the achromic area. Pigment spread was not seen in the guinea pigs skin treated by either dermabrasion or topical 5-FU. We suggest that the inflammatory mediators and enzymes (metalloproteinases), which are locally released over a long time, could stimulate and facilitate melanocyte proliferation and migration through the enlarged intercellular spaces of the epidermis.This sequence of events may be applied to vitiligo patients treated with 5-FU on ablated lesions.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability of quantitative ultrasonic measurement of renal allograft elasticity using supersonic shear imaging (SSI) and its relationship with parenchymal pathological changes.Materials and Methods: Forty-three kidney transplant recipients (22 women, 21 men) (mean age, 51 years; age range, 18-70 years) underwent SSI elastography, followed by biopsy. The quantitative measurements of cortical elasticity were performed by two radiologists and expressed in terms of Young's modulus (kPa). Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was assessed (Kruskal-Wallis test and Bland-Altman analysis), as well as the correlation between elasticity values and clinical, biological and pathological data (semi-quantitative Banff scoring). Interstitial fibrosis was evaluated semi-quantitatively by the Banff score and measured by quantitative image analysis.Results: Intra- and inter-observer variation coefficients of cortical elasticity were 20 % and 12 %, respectively. Renal cortical stiffness did not correlate with any clinical parameters, any single semi-quantitative Banff score or the level of interstitial fibrosis; however, a significant correlation was observed between cortical stiffness and the total Banff scores of chronic lesions and of all elementary lesions (R = 0.34, P = 0.05 and R = 0.41, P = 0.03,respectively).Conclusion: Quantitative measurement of renal cortical stiffness using SSI is a promising non-invasive tool to evaluate global histological deterioration.Key Points: • Supersonic shear imaging elastography can measure cortical stiffness in renal transplants • The level of cortical stiffness is correlated with the global degree of tissue lesions • The global histological deterioration of transplanted kidneys can be quantified using elastography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosive oral lichen planus (OLP) is a painful chronic inflammatory disease that is sometimes resistant to systemic or topical therapies. Topical steroids remain the mainstay of therapy, but topical tacrolimus has recently been used to treat OLP resistant to topical corticosteroids. Topical tacrolimus appears as an effective and safe treatment of symptomatic OLP. We report the first histopathologically documented case of oral mucosa pigmentation after OLP treatment with topical tacrolimus. The relation between tacrolimus treatment and staining was suggested by the appearance of pigmentation during topical tacrolimus treatment and its clinical disappearance when treatment was stopped. Histopathology showed an increase in melanocyte numbers and melanogenesis. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Le SNI représente 15 à 30 % des glomérulopathies de l’adulte, son évolution est difficilement prédictible. Objectif de cette étude rétrospective Identifier des facteurs prédictifs de rechute et d’insuffisance rénale chronique terminale (IRCT). Patients et méthodes Nous avons réalisé une étude de cohorte multicentrique régionale descriptive incluant tout patient de 15 ans et plus ayant eu une biopsie de rein propre entre 01/2007 et 12/2014 concluant à un syndrome néphrotique à lésions glomérulaires minimes (LGM) ou hyalinose segmentaire et focale (HSF). Quatre centres de pathologie ont centralisé les biopsies. Étaient exclus les transplantés et les patients avec suivi < 2 mois. L’analyse statistique descriptive a reposé sur un test de comparaison adapté selon la variable ( t test ou Mann-Withney). L’analyse multivariée a été réalisée selon un modèle de Cox incluant l’âge, le tableau clinicobiologique initial, la réponse à la 1 re ligne de traitement, l’utilisation d’IEC/ARA2. Résultats De manière exhaustive, nous avons étudié 97 LGM avec un âge médian de 47 ans. Parmi les patients, 91,7 % ont reçu une corticothérapie (Cs) avec une durée médiane de 13 mois. Sur un suivi médian de 45 mois, 92,8 % des patients sont entrés en rémission, 45,5 % ont rechuté après un délai médian de 7 mois. Nous n’avons observé aucune association statistique entre la présentation clinicobiologique initiale et la survenue des rechutes. Cinq pour cent des patients ont évolué vers l’IRCT (délai médian 13 mois). Nous avons observé 11 % de diabète Cs-induit. Parallèlement, nous avons étudié 68 HSF idiopathiques avec un âge médian de 57 ans. Parmi les patients, 51,5 % ont reçu une Cs avec une durée médiane de 15 mois. Sur un suivi médian de 66 mois, 73,5 % des patients sont entrés en rémission, 20 % ont rechuté après un délai médian de 14,5 mois, sans association statistique avec la présentation clinicobiologique initiale. Les patients qui ont évolué vers l’IRCT (délai médian 51 mois) étaient de 26,5 %. Nous avons observé 11,4 % de diabète Cs-induit. Discussion Cette étude rétrospective incluant un nombre de patients élevé (4 e étude de la littérature depuis 30 ans pour les LGM, 8 e pour les HSF) ne permet pas d’identifier des facteurs pronostiques de rechute ou d’IRCT chez des patients adultes ayant un SNI avec LGM ou HSF. Conclusion Il est nécessaire d’initier des travaux multicentriques prospectifs à la recherche de nouveaux facteurs pronostiques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. – Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia has been reported in some cases as an Herpeviridae complication. We report a case of eccrine squamous syringometaplasia associated with a severe cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompromised patient, and we discuss about potential viral or drug triggering factors.Methods. – A 22 years-old man was hospitalized in an intensive care unit for rejection of a renal graft associated with a disseminated cytomegalovirus infection. A papular and papulopustular eruption appeared on the trunk and the limbs.Results. – Histological examination of a skin sample showed eccrine squamous syringometaplasia, with evidence of cytomegalovirus genomic sequences using PCR. Two weeks later, the patient developed toxic epidermal necrolysis, with fatal issue.Conclusions. – Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia is a rare condition, without specific clinical features. Numerous local affections have been reported to induce eccrine syringometaplasia (ulcer, scar, pyoderma gangrenosum, drug injection...), drugs (cytotoxic agents, non steroidal anti inflammatory therapies) and in cases of infection due to cytomegalovirus or herpes simplex virus. The potential implication of cytomegalovirus or foscarnet as triggering factors in our case is discussed. This observation and other similar reported cases lead to the conclusion that eccrine squamous syringometaplasia may be an underestimated complication of cytomegalovirus infections in immunocompromised patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Infantile digital fibromatosis or inclusion body fibromatosis is a rare, benign fibroproliferative lesion with recurrent potential that occurs on the digits of infants. A highly characteristic morphologic finding is the presence of paranuclear inclusion within the tumoral cells. We report here a case occurring in an 8-month-old infant with 2 asynchronous lesions of the toes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Waldenström macroglobulinemia is defined by a bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration associated with serum IgM monoclonal gammopathy. Specific properties of the IgM gammopathy induce the main clinical manifestations revealing the disease: hyperviscosity syndrome, autoimmune peripheral neuropathy, cryoglobulinemia or hemolysis, and exceptional skin deposit such as macroglobulinosis cutis that we here report. Physicians should be aware of these clinical manifestations to avoid diagnostic delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]