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A growing number of studies report dermal malignancies mimicking diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We reviewed clinical cases reporting malignant tumours misdiagnosed to be DFU aiming to identify factors contributing to misdiagnosis. We systematically searched in PubMed for clinical cases reporting on misdiagnosis of DFU in patients with cancer. A chi-square analysis was conducted to show the link between the incidence of initial DFU misdiagnosis and patient age, gender and wound duration. Lesions misdiagnosed to be DFU were subsequently diagnosed as melanoma (68% of the cases), Kaposi's sarcoma (14%), squamous cell carcinoma (11%), mantle cell lymphoma, and diffuse B-cell lymphoma (both by 4%). Older age (≥65 years) was associated with a significantly increased risk of malignancy masked as DFU (OR: 2.452; 95% CI: 1.132 to 5.312; P value = .019). The risk of such suspicion in older patients (age ≥ 65 years) was 145% higher than in younger patients (age < 65 years). Clinicians should maintain a high level of awareness towards potentially malignant foot lesions in elderly patients with diabetes (age ≥ 65)., (© 2021 The Authors. International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc (3M) and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This article discusses the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatology to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis. The authors highlight the benefits of AI in healthcare, such as cost reduction and improved diagnostic accuracy. They emphasize the need for comprehensive checklists and the analysis of multispectral images to effectively implement AI in dermatology. While AI shows promise in improving diagnostic accuracy, further research and development are necessary. The article does not mention any funding sources, data availability, or conflicts of interest. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) administration is an effective option for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). However, to date, studies assessing long-term outcomes and evaluating skin parameters after cell-based therapy are lacking. We presented the clinical outcomes of 3 patients, treated for DFUs with the bone marrow MSCs 3 years earlier. Methods: Ultrasound examination was used to compare collagen density and epidermal thickness in areas of healed ulcers in comparison with non-affected skin used as a control. Ultrasound and dermatoscopy were used to exclude neoplasm formation, to assess scar contracture and wound recurrence. Results: In all patients, no ulcer recurrence was detected, which was lower than the expected 60% rate of re-ulceration in diabetic patients in a 3-year period (OD [odds ratio] = 0.095, P = 0.12). No neoplasm formation, no contracture of hypertrophic scar, and adjacent tissue were registered. Collagen ultrasound density was decreased by 57% (P = 0.053) and epidermal thickness was increased by 72% (P = 0.01) in the area of healed ulcers in all patients. Conclusion: MSCs therapy alone did not result in the complete restoration of the skin parameters within a 3-year period. MSCs may represent important adjuvant to the therapy, however, other novel approaches are required to achieve better results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant skin ulcerations may mimic diabetic foot ulcers leading to misdiagnosis. In this case report, we discuss an uncommon but severe problem of malignant tumors initially misdiagnosed as diabetic foot ulcers, underlying the need to improve medical awareness, diagnostics, and approaches for therapy once the correct diagnosis is made. We describe the case of an 82-year-old male with diabetes mellitus and melanoma metastases initially misdiagnosed as diabetic foot ulcers. In diabetic patients, several skin disorders may coexist on the same foot, including actual diabetic foot ulcers and skin cancers. Among multiple skin disorders that coexist on the foot of a diabetic patient, the skin metastases may be misdiagnosed as diabetic foot ulcers. Significant efforts should be made to create new non-invasive, rapid diagnostic techniques to eliminate misdiagnoses of skin disorders in diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]