The persistent pigmented purpuric dermatitides (PPPD) are a spectrum of dermatologic disorders characterized by petechial and pigmented macules usually confined to the lower limbs. Their etiology is unknown and several clinical variants are recognized. At the microscopic level they are characterized by angiocentric lymphocytic inflammation, red blood cell extravasation and hemosiderin deposition. A granulomatous variant of the PPPD has recently been described and to date eleven cases have been reported in the literature. In contrast to the conventional type, this variant is characterized histopathologically by ill-defined, non-necrotizing granulomata admixed with the lymphocytic inflammatory background. Although initially the granulomatous variant of the PPPD was thought to occur only in Asian patients, this sole racial predilection has not been substantiated. A tenuous association with hyperlipidemia has been noted but this requires further study. The principal importance of recognizing this entity lies in the need to include it in the histopathological differential diagnosis of granulomatous dermal infiltrates. We report here an additional patient with the granulomatous variant of PPPD and elaborate on this entity in the context of existing information in the literature.

The pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) are a group of diseases characterized by petechiae and bronze discoloration of the skin on the lower extremities. Histopathologically, extravasation of erythrocytes with hemosiderin deposition, a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate centered on the superficial capillaries and endothelial cell swelling are seen. The granulomatous variant of PPD (GPPD) was described in 1996 and only 10 cases have been reported since in the literature, almost exclusively in patients of East Asian descent only involving the extremities. We present a case of GPPD in a Caucasian, North American Ashkenazi Jewish woman involving the thighs, back, forearms and wrists with concomitant non-granulomatous PPD of the shins. She presented with an asymptomatic, spreading, cayenne pepper-like rash. This rash intermittently involved the lower extremities and back for 15 years, but now involves the thighs with accompanying pink papules on the back, wrists and forearms. Histopathology of the thigh and back lesions revealed superficial lichenoid granulomatous dermatitis with palisading lymphocytes and focal interface changes. Extravasated erythrocytes were seen, but vasculitis was absent. No lymphocytic atypicality was noted and T-cell gene rearrangement studies were non-clonal. This is the second reported case of GPPD in a non-Asian patient and the first case involving sites other than the extremities.

Lichenoid tissue reaction or interface dermatitis embrace several clinical conditions, the prototype of which is lichen planus and its variants, drug induced lichenoid dermatitis, special forms of lichenoid dermatitis, lichenoid dermatitis in lupus erythematosus, and miscellaneous disorders showing lichenoid dermatitis, the salient clinical and histological features of which are described to facilitate their diagnosis. Background of lichenoid reaction pattern has been briefly outlined to enlighten those interested in this entity.

Two cases of segmental lichen aureus with a response to topical 0.1% methylprednisolone aceponate ointment are reported. A 9-year-old child and a 23-year-old man showed complete resolution of their lesions following treatment with the latter after 7 months and 4 months, respectively. Lichen aureus is a rare form of the pigmented purpuric dermatoses characterized by golden-brown and lichenoid macules and papules, most often on the lower extremities. Segmental presentations have seldom been described. Histology showed a lichenoid infiltrate with extravasation of red blood cells and haemosiderin deposition. The aetiology is unclear and treatment is disappointing. We report an uncommon segmental presentation of lichen aureus with resolution of the lesions after treatment with a topical corticosteroid.

BACKGROUND Pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) are a group of chronic disorders that pose a therapeutic challenge. OBJECTIVE In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of narrow band ultraviolet B (NB UVB) in the treatment of PPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS Six patients of PPD were treated with NB UVB: one patient had Majocchi's purpura and five had Schamberg's disease. NB UVB was given on three weekly basis till clearance, then maintenance treatments were scheduled as twice weekly for 3 weeks and once weekly for another 3 weeks. The patients were followed up to 1 year. RESULTS Successful treatment was achieved in all treatment patients after 24-28 NB UVB treatments and maintenance of nine treatments. Only two patients showed flare of their lesions after stoppage of NB UVB and efficiently controlled with further 14 NB UVB treatments. CONCLUSION NB UVB is effective in the treatment of PPD and should be considered as a treatment option for PPD.

Dermatoscopy, also known as dermoscopy, epiluminescence microscopy, or surface microscopy, is a noninvasive technique allowing rapid and magnified (× 10) in vivo observation of the skin with the visualization of morphologic features often imperceptible to the naked eye. Videodermatoscopy (VD) represents the evolution of dermatoscopy and is performed with a video camera equipped with lenses providing higher magnification (× 10 to × 1000). Over the past few years, both dermatoscopy and VD have been demonstrated to be useful in a wide variety of cutaneous disorders, including ectoparasitic infestations, cutaneous/mucosal infections, hair and nail abnormalities, psoriasis, and other dermatologic as well as cosmetologic conditions. Depending on the skin disorder, both dermatoscopy and VD may be useful for differential diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and monitoring response to treatment. Nowadays, it represents an important and relatively simple aid in daily clinical practice.

Identifying characteristic cutaneous findings is important in determining the appropriate management of certain venous diseases. The health care provider should be familiar with the classic description of patterns and distributions of skin manifestations, such as varicose veins, stasis dermatitis, palpable cord, petechiae, and telangiectasias. In addition to the gross appearance of the skin, a skin biopsy may help elucidate a diagnosis. General treatment and prevention of the underlying venous pathology is essential. Furthermore, specific management of skin findings should include therapy to ameliorate progression of disease and symptomatology when warranted.

BACKGROUND Purpura annularis telangiectodes of Majocchi is an uncommon form of pigmented purpuric dermatosis which may present a therapeutic challenge. Given the rare nature of this condition, there is limited anecdotal information available regarding optimal therapy. Although pigmented purpuric dermatoses are generally innocuous, in some cases they may cause patients significant distress, and there is a need to exclude cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. METHODS We reviewed the literature on the treatment of pigmented purpuric dermatoses and managed a 69-year-old woman who presented with purpuric annular patches on the legs. RESULTS Three separate biopsies demonstrated an interstitial to perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate with erythrocyte extravasation, consistent with pigmented purpuric dermatosis. The patient's condition proved refractory to many of the previously reported modes of management, but markedly improved with methotrexate. Treatment alternatives for pigmented purpuric dermatosis are reviewed, and a treatment algorithm is proposed. CONCLUSION This is the first reported case regarding the successful use of methotrexate for pigmented purpuric dermatosis. Methotrexate may offer a therapeutic alternative to patients with highly symptomatic pigmented purpuric dermatosis refractory to other, more conservative, treatment modalities.

Skin diseases in children are encountered frequently and their characterization is essential for the preparation of academic, research and health plans. A retrospective study was designed to evaluate the epidemiologic features of pediatric dermatoses in India. The setting was a tertiary care referral center in India (Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi) during January 1997 to December 2003. A total of 30,078 children less than 12 years of age with 32,341 new dermatoses were recorded, with a male to female ratio of 1.07:1. Most of the disease was seen in the 1- to 5-year age group (44.94%). The most common skin diseases were infections and infestations (47.15%) consisting of bacterial infections (58.09%) and scabies (21.54%), followed by eczemas (26.95%), infantile seborrheic dermatitis, scabies, and pityriasis alba. Other unique dermatoses in our settings were papular uticaria (3.59%), miliaria (5.46%), postinflammatory pigmentary abnormalities (1.68%), and nutritional deficiency dermatoses (0.45%). A majority of patients were diagnosed clinically and special diagnostic tests were conducted in 2.6% of patients. The most common diagnostic test used was KOH mount (59.2%), followed by skin biopsy (39%). Nearly 90% of patients were seen without any referral and in the remaining, a majority were referred by pediatricians (75%). A majority of patients were diagnosed to have infection followed by dermatitis in our setting.

Reaction in leprosy, nerve damage/deformities, drug resistance/relapses, may come as yet another challenge. Their management too is intriguing and has been dealt with carefully. In addition, special situations such as pregnancy and concomitant HIV/tuberculosis also need care for their effective management. To facilitate a comprehensive appraisal, the subject has been bifurcated into management of leprosy per se were multidrug therapy (MDT) is widely the accepted and acclaimed treatment option. The former has been dealt with in depth in an adjoining article, while the latter forms the contents of the current paper. The salient contents of the text are illustrated by exemplary literature, which should provide an adequate and comprehensive source of information for the academic work force, under- and post-graduate students of dermatology, health workers and treating physicians involved in the care of leprosy patients, and facilitate decision making or options for treatment in a given case.

The morphological diagnosis of the plaque form of lupus vulgaris was made on the basis of distinct clinical features. An endeavor to supplement this diagnosis was made through laboratory investigations comprising total differential leukocyte count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the results of which were largely ambiguous. Regimented anti-tubular therapy (ATT) was utilized to arrive at the diagnosis. A perceptible regression of the lesions over the course of 6 weeks was remarkably beneficial to completing the treatment subsequently. ATT seems to bea feasible and well-conceived tool in the diagnosis of lupus vulgaris tuberculosis verrucosa cutis and pediatric scleroderma.

Leprosy was supposed to be eliminated by WHO at the global level by the end of the year 2000; however, it still remains a significant public health problem at a national level in six countries, where India alone accounts for 64% of prevalence and 78% of new case detection, worldwide. The global registered prevalence of leprosy at the beginning of 2006 was 219,826 cases. The number of new cases reported during 2005 was 296,499. The clinical diagnosis of leprosy continues to be based on patients having one or more of the three cardinal signs: hypopigmented or reddish anesthetic skin lesion(s); involvement of the peripheral nerves, as demonstrated by definite thickening with loss of sensation in the area of distribution; and a positive skin smear for acid-fast bacilli. Multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy has proved to be highly effective, with low relapse rates resulting in a dramatic decrease in the global prevalence rate to less than one case per 10 000 by the end of the year 2000. It was thought to be worthwhile to review the progress made in the treatment of this neglected tropical disease from the time diaminodiphenylsulfone (dapsone) monotherapy was introduced in its management, to the rapidly changing situation following the advent of WHO-recommended MDT and subsequently to short-course newer drug regimens with the prime objective to eliminate/eradicate leprosy from the world. Several permutations and combinations of drugs were utilized, the outline of which are succinctly depicted in the following account. Furthermore, a synopsis of the role of immunoprophylaxis therapy has briefly been reviewed to arrive at the possible current status. It is expected that this article is not only essential at this point in time but is also likely to make clear the intricacies surrounding its management.

A woman aged 57 years had conjunctivitis of the right eye since February 2003. It had started with a pinhead-sized blister at the margin of the upper eyelid and was progressive in nature. Intense redness of the right eye, lacrimation, and severe pain confined to the right forehead were the major complaints. She had been under medical care ever since, without any tangible outcome. Its refractory nature impelled the ophthalmologist to seek dermatologic consultation, for apparently the diagnosis seemed to have eluded the consultant. Accordingly, she reported on March 2, 2004 for the opinion of severe incessant itching, profuse lacrimation, and pain that was confined only to the right eye and forehead. The very fact that she had reported with continuous rubbing of the right eye re-enforced the suspicion of the episode being an exclusive expression of pemphigus vulgaris of the eye that probably was the reason for ineffectiveness of the drugs given thus far to her. Examination of the right eye was marked by intense inflammation of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, apparent in the form of severe redness (Figure 1). The conjunctiva was studded with several scattered minute erosions. Corneal opacity and cataract were its accompaniment, whereas the left eye was normal. Mucous membrane of the oral cavity was thoroughly scanned for blister and/or erosions but was normal. The rest of the skin surface was also unaffected. Nikolsky's sign was elicited by asking the patient to rub the eye. In fact, this was responsible for periodic recurrence of the episode. Tzanck test was performed by preparing, fixing, and Giemsa staining the smear from one of the erosions over the conjunctiva. The stained slides were examined under oil-immersion, which revealed plentiful acantholytic cells characterized by large nucleus containing nucleoli and occupying almost the entire eosinophilic cytoplasm and basophilic cell wall. The two biopsies from the conjunctiva were also taken with the help of a 3-mm punch. One of the biopsies was subjected to serial sections. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain and examined by light microscopy. The presence of split/cleavage in the epidermis (intraepidermal) above the basal (suprabasal) was cardinal. The cleavage was filled with acantholytic cells of characteristic morphology (vide supra)(Figure 2). The other biopsy was subjected to direct immunofluorescence and was found complementary to the preceding microscopic pathology. Routine investigations comprising total and differential leukocyte count, liver and kidney function tests, chest skiagram, and electrocardiogram were normal. The preceding findings were fairly conducive to form the diagnosis of erosive conjunctivitis emanating from pemphigus vulgaris. Accordingly, pulse therapy (intermittent high-dose) containing 100 mg dexamethasone in 5% glucose daily by slow IV infusion on 3 consecutive days, along with 500 mg of cyclophosphamide on Day 1 only followed by continuous low-dose 50 mg cyclophosphamide, was administered. The patient has since recovered completely and is now under surveillance.

The persistent pigmented purpuric dermatitides (PPPD) are a spectrum of dermatologic disorders characterized by petechial and pigmented macules usually confined to the lower limbs. Their etiology is unknown and several clinical variants are recognized. At the microscopic level they are characterized by angiocentric lymphocytic inflammation, red blood cell extravasation and hemosiderin deposition. A granulomatous variant of the PPPD has recently been described and to date eleven cases have been reported in the literature. In contrast to the conventional type, this variant is characterized histopathologically by ill-defined, non-necrotizing granulomata admixed with the lymphocytic inflammatory background. Although initially the granulomatous variant of the PPPD was thought to occur only in Asian patients, this sole racial predilection has not been substantiated. A tenuous association with hyperlipidemia has been noted but this requires further study. The principal importance of recognizing this entity lies in the need to include it in the histopathological differential diagnosis of granulomatous dermal infiltrates. We report here an additional patient with the granulomatous variant of PPPD and elaborate on this entity in the context of existing information in the literature.

Among elderly adults, the most common reason for hospitalization is heart failure. Understanding the treatment options for this complex syndrome is vital to the practice of contemporary medicine. Early recognition of patients at risk for developing heart failure and the stage-appropriate management of patients with established heart failure is paramount for optimal patient care. However, the vast array of therapeutic options currently available can seem daunting. It is the aim of this review to describe the framework for approaching heart failure patients so that the physician can provide the most appropriate therapies at each stage of the disease.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disorder characterized by pain, edema, skin color changes and autonomic abnormalities. Its treatment is quite difficult and in most of the patients effective results cannot be reached. Manual lymphatic drainage is a very rare method for managing limb edema in CRPS. In this case report, the dramatic response of an excessive edema to lymphatic drainage was discussed in a CRPS patient.

OBJECTIVES: After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the clinical presentation of bronchiolitis. 2. Be aware of the recommendations made in the current American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline for diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis. 3. Describe the role of laboratory testing in the diagnosis of bronchiolitis. 4. Delineate the efficacy of current therapeutic interventions in the treatment of bronchiolitis. 5. Discuss the evaluation for serious bacterial infections in patients who have bronchiolitis. 6. Outline the prognosis and risk of recurrent wheezing in patients diagnosed with bronchiolitis.

BACKGROUND Purpura annularis telangiectodes of Majocchi is an uncommon form of pigmented purpuric dermatosis which may present a therapeutic challenge. Given the rare nature of this condition, there is limited anecdotal information available regarding optimal therapy. Although pigmented purpuric dermatoses are generally innocuous, in some cases they may cause patients significant distress, and there is a need to exclude cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. METHODS We reviewed the literature on the treatment of pigmented purpuric dermatoses and managed a 69-year-old woman who presented with purpuric annular patches on the legs. RESULTS Three separate biopsies demonstrated an interstitial to perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate with erythrocyte extravasation, consistent with pigmented purpuric dermatosis. The patient's condition proved refractory to many of the previously reported modes of management, but markedly improved with methotrexate. Treatment alternatives for pigmented purpuric dermatosis are reviewed, and a treatment algorithm is proposed. CONCLUSION This is the first reported case regarding the successful use of methotrexate for pigmented purpuric dermatosis. Methotrexate may offer a therapeutic alternative to patients with highly symptomatic pigmented purpuric dermatosis refractory to other, more conservative, treatment modalities.

Pigmented purpuric dermatoses are a group of chronic, recurrent disorders characterized by purpuric lesions mainly involving the lower extremities. Their etiology is unknown. Treatment options are limited and none of them have proven benefit. Phototherapy has been reported to be effective in a small number of patients in the literature. We present a case of Schamberg's disease showing a dramatic response to psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy and discuss the current therapeutic options focusing mainly on phototherapy. We believe that phototherapy is a valuable alternative, especially for patients with long-standing and widespread pigmented purpuric dermatitis.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a heritable disorder characterized by bone fragility and low bone mass, with a wide spectrum of clinical expression. This review gives an update on its classification, the recent developments in the understanding of its pathophysiological mechanisms, and the current status of bisphosphonate therapy. Other therapeutic approaches and future directions of research are briefly discussed.

Hypertension is the most common medical condition encountered in and complicating pregnancy, with significant implications on maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is also one of the areas of clinical practice that has been studied extensively, yet less well understood. The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a spectrum of conditions that are classified into 4 categories based upon recommendations of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology and current pharmacologic management of hypertension in pregnancy.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) affect approximately 1 in 166 children in the United States, making it likely for the average physician to encounter patients with ASDs in his or her practice. In particular, pediatricians and developmental neurologists play a critical role in early identification, resource referrals, and management of a variety of comorbid physical and medical concerns. This article reviews the current literature on ASDs and provides recommendations for practice in areas critical to the provision of medical services.

Musculoskeletal disorders represent a large and growing clinical challenge to primary care clinicians. Unfortunately, there appears to be a gap in current training and continuing education to meet this challenge. We used script concordance within a continuing medical education program entitled "Joint Adventures" to assist family physicians to acquire the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to improve their management of musculoskeletal disorders. Program workshops were coordinated through a national continuing education program of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. A group of 54 experts in musculoskeletal disorders including family physicians, rheumatologists, and orthopedists developed cases for six areas of management that were identified by family physicians during a needs survey delivered at a national scientific congress in primary care. Script concordance methodology was used in the Joint Adventures workshop to address knowledge gaps or lack of group consensus in the six areas including (1) diagnosis of osteoarthritis,(2) treatment and management of osteoarthritis,(3) treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis,(4) diagnosis and treatment of back pain,(5) diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia and diagnosis, and (6) treatment of shoulder pain. Each workshop session included 5-30 family physicians, a specialist expert, and a family physician facilitator. Before each session, a group needs assessment was conducted to identify which one or two of the six cases would be used. Perceived knowledge and skill acquisition, self-assessed change in practice, and satisfaction with the program were measured at the conclusion of each session and again at 3 months post program. All programs were delivered from March 2003 to September 2005. Six hundred and fifty family physicians from across Canada completed the program. In general, participants reached concordance with each case. Measures of knowledge and skill acquisition and self-assessed change in practice were significantly improved with high rates of program satisfaction. The Joint Adventures program provided family physicians with knowledge and skills that changed their care of musculoskeletal disorders. This was achieved using consensus that was sensitive to local needs. Further use should be evaluated in other areas of medical practice as well.