Efficacy of perilesional and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections in pemphigus vulgaris lesions of the scalp: an effective therapeutic option

The scalp is a common location for pemphigus vulgaris (PV), and scalp lesions may be resistant to standard treatment. Perilesional/intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections have been used successfully to treat oropharyngeal and ocular involvement in PV. Data on the efficacy of perilesional and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections in scalp lesions in PV are lacking. We report two patients with immunopathologically and histopathologically confirmed PV and residual scalp lesions resistant to standard treatment, who were treated with perilesional and intralesional injections of TA 10 mg/mL. Clearance of scalp lesions was achieved after one after, respectively, one and two perilesional and intralesional injections. Perilesional and intralesional TA injections may serve as an effective and safe treatment for recalcitrant scalp lesions in pemphigus.     

Alopecia Areata in Korea (1982–1994)

I clinically studied 905 patients with alopecia areata (AA) who visited the Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Chung Ang University, from January of 1982 to February of 1994. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations and compare the effects of treatment with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide suspension and immunotherapy with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP). The results were as follows: 1) The incidence of AA among all out-patients (59,970) was 1.5% (905 cases), and the ratio of males to females was 1.3:1 (512:393). 2) The age distribution showed high incidences in the third (41.8%) and fourth decades (20.0%). 3) The family history was contributory in 104 cases (11.5%). 4) The relapse rate was 17.5% (158 cases). 5) Almost half of the patients had a solitary lesion (408 cases, 46.7%). 6) The most common site of predilection was the occipital region of the scalp in both male and female patients. 7) Associated diseases were seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, hepatitis, hypertension, open heart surgery, thyroid disease, pulmonary disease, and vitiligo in order of frequency. 8) The effect of treatment on the patients who had bald patches less than 50 cm² was not significantly statistically different between intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide and immunotherapy with DNCB or DPCP. 9) In cases with bald areas more than 50 cm², including alopecia totalis and universalis, DNCB or DPCP immunotherapy showed better therapeutic effects than did intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide.     

Comparison of the efficacy of intralesional bleomycin versus intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of keloids

Keloid is characterized by benign overgrowth of dermal collagen in response to skin injury in genetically predisposed individuals. Intralesional triamcinolone and bleomycin have been used with varying success in the treatment of keloids. To compare the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone versus intralesional bleomycin in the treatment keloids. A total of 164 patients were randomized into two of 82 each. Group A received intralesional bleomycine and Group B received intralesional triamcinolone. Patients were scored at baseline and at the end of treatment for therapeutic response based on reduction on patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS). Mean baseline POSAS score was 91 ± 10.98 SD check in Group A and 90 ± 10.85 SD in Group B. POSAS score after 24 weeks 26 SD ± 11.91 in Group and 34 ± 12.28 in Group B. This difference was statistically difference. Intralesional bleomycin is more efficacious than intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of keloids.     

A randomized, double-blind study to assess the efficacy of addition of tetracycline to triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis

Objective To assess the efficacy of tetracycline in triamcinolone acetonide ointment compared with triamcinolone acetonide ointment in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Design Randomised, double‐blind parallel group study of 8 weeks’ duration. Setting Outpatient clinic in a university hospital. Participants Forty‐four adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (objective SCORAD > 25). Interventions Initial phase (2 weeks): 3% tetracycline 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide vs. 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide twice daily all over the body. Maintenance phase (6 weeks) 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide once daily for 2 weeks, followed by every other day for 2 weeks. In the last 2 weeks, two applications a week were done. An emollient was used additionally once daily. Main outcome measures Primary outcomes were the disease severity scores assessed by objective SCORAD and SASSAD at week 2. Secondary outcomes were the objective SCORAD and SASSAD at weeks 4 and 8, and Staphylococcus aureus colonization at weeks 0 and 2. Results No significant differences in disease severity outcomes were found between the two groups. Both groups showed clinically relevant improvements in disease severity compared with baseline at weeks 2 and 4. At week 8, there was some worsening in disease severity in both groups, but the disease severity was still significantly lower than at the beginning of the study. Improvement of bacterial colonization was seen in 14 (63.6%) out of the 22 patients in the 3% tetracycline 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide group and in 5 (22.7%) out of the 22 patients in the 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide group. Conclusion The addition of tetracycline was effective on skin colonization by S. aureus but did in our patients with atopic dermatitis not result in a significantly different improvement compared with the group treated without tetracycline.     

Intralesional triamcinolone injections for the treatment of nail dystrophy: A case series

Nail dystrophy can be temporary or permanent and affects quality of life for many patients. It can be secondary to an inflammatory condition; however, many cases are idiopathic. Despite many efforts, there is no promising treatment. Local steroid injection is one of the standard therapies offered for nail dystrophy, but there have been few formal open trials or case reports of its efficacy. This study investigated the impact of intralesional triamcinolone injections on the management and safety of nail dystrophy. Overall, 12 patients with 55 nails affected by nail dystrophy were enrolled. All lesions were injected with triamcinolone acetonide (2.5 mg/mL, 0.1 cc) through the proximal nail fold with a 30 g needle. Injections were administered every 4 weeks. Efficacy was retrospectively evaluated using physician's global assessment of clinical photographs graded on a 5‐point scale as 0, no improvement; 1, slight improvement; 2, moderate improvement; 3, marked improvement; and 4, almost resolved. All adverse events that occurred during treatment were recorded. All patients presented with slight improvement of nail dystrophy after 1 to 3 months. The treatment durations varied from 6 to 12 months (mean, 8.58 months). The average time to observed therapeutic effect was 1.91 months after first treatment. The mean outcome assessment score was 2.8 points, with two patients each showing slight and moderate improvement and five showing marked improvement; in three, the dystrophy was almost resolved. Side effects of this regimen were minimal. Intralesional triamcinolone injections are an effective and safe method for the treatment of nail dystrophy.     

Identification of novel step‐up regimen of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in scalp alopecia areata based on a double‐blind randomized controlled trial

Although intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is the most commonly prescribed treatment for localized alopecia areata (AA), the literature regarding the optimal concentration for attaining better efficacy with the most acceptable side effects is scarce. To compare hair regrowth and local side effects of various concentrations of intralesional TA in scalp AA using clinical and dermoscopic parameters. A double‐blind randomized control trial with four treatment groups (10, 5, 2.5 mg/ml TA and normal saline [NS]) was conducted between March 2018 and August 2019. After recruitment, each AA patch was divided into quadrants and randomized before first injection. Injections were given and outcome parameters were analyzed every 4‐weekly till 12‐weeks. Statistical analysis was done by the R software employing generalized estimation equation. P‐value <.05 was considered significant. Out of 105‐patients (168‐AA patches), 75‐patients (121‐patches) completed the study. Hair regrowth scale of all TA concentrations was better than NS group (P < .001). Other parameters such as quadrants with poor clinical response and dermoscopic disease activity signs were also favorable in TA groups in comparison to NS. However the evidence of atrophy and telangiectasia was maximum in 10 mg/mL group. 10 mg/mL TA showed a comparatively better response at the cost of increased adverse effects. Based on the clinical benefit and adverse risk assessment from our study, it may be better to start with 2.5 mg/mL intralesional TA in limited scalp AA patients. It can be implied that the concentration of TA can be increased as a step‐up regimen based on the serial clinical and dermoscopic response.     

Comparative efficacy of topical anthralin and intralesional triamcinolone in the treatment of alopecia areata

Efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (10mg/ml) and topical anthralin 1.15% cream was compared in the treatment of alopecia areata. Study groups consisted of 37 patients for injection and 32 patients for cream. All of them belonged to Type I of Ikeda's classification. The study showed that triamcinolone induces more adequate response in terms of regrowth of hairs than anthralin. However, the relapse rate was higher with triamcinolone. No difference was noted in terms of complete regrowth of hairs on the lesional skin and side effects of drugs.     

Treatment response of keloidal and hypertrophic sternotomy scars: comparison among intralesional corticosteroid, 5-fluorouracil,and 585-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser treatments

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical response of keloidal and hypertrophic scars after treatment with intralesional corticosteroid alone or combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 5-FU alone, and the 585-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser (PDL). DESIGN: Prospective, paired-comparison, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A private ambulatory laser facility. PATIENTS: Ten patients with previously untreated keloidal or hypertrophic median sternotomy scars at least 6 months after surgery that were considered problematic by the patients. INTERVENTIONS: Five segments were randomly treated with 4 different regimens: (1) laser radiation with a 585-nm PDL (5 J/cm(2)); (2) intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) (20 mg/mL); (3) intralesional 5-FU (50 mg/mL); and (4) intralesional TAC (1 mg/mL) mixed with 5-FU (45 mg/mL). One segment of each scar received no treatment and served as a control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scar height, erythema, and pliability were evaluated before and every 8 weeks after treatment. Patients' subjective evaluations were tabulated. Histologic sections of segments were examined in 1 biopsy sample per segment at week 32. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant clinical improvement in all treated segments. No significant difference in treatment outcome vs method of treatment was noted. However, intralesional formulas resulted in faster resolution than the PDL: scar induration responded better to intralesional formulas, scar texture responded better to the PDL, and scar erythema responded the same as the control with all treatments. Adverse sequelae, including hypopigmentation, telangiectasia, and skin atrophy, were observed in 50% (5/10) of the segments that received corticosteroid intralesionally alone. No long-term adverse sequelae were demonstrated in the segments treated with other modalities. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical improvement of keloidal and hypertrophic scars after treatment with intralesional corticosteroid alone or combined with 5-FU, 5-FU alone, and PDL seemed comparable, with the exceptions of the incidence of adverse reactions, which were most common with intralesional corticosteroid. Intralesional 5-FU is comparable to the other therapies.     

两种糖皮质激素注射液皮损内注射治疗活动期斑秃的临床疗效观察

目的 比较复方倍他米松注射液和醋酸曲安奈德注射液皮损内注射治疗活动期斑秃的临床疗效。方法 将160例活动期斑秃患者随机分成两组,治疗组100例、对照组60例,治疗组用复方倍他米松注射液皮损内注射,对照组用醋酸曲安奈德注射液皮损内注射,每3周1次,12周后观察结果。结果 治疗12周后治疗组痊愈60例（60.0%）,显效32例（32.0%）,总有效率92.0%;对照组痊愈25例（41.7%）,显效19例（31.67%）,总有效率73.3%;治疗组有效率和痊愈率显著高于对照组（χ2值分别为10.25和5.06,P ＜ 0.01和 ＜ 0.05）。治疗组出现局部头皮萎缩8例（8%）,局部毛囊炎8例（8%）;对照组出现局部头皮萎缩9例（15%）,局部毛囊炎3例（5%）,两组不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）。结论复方倍他米松注射液皮损内注射治疗活动期斑秃疗效显著。     

Adjuvant triamcinolone acetonide injections in oro‐pharyngeal pemphigus vulgaris

Background High‐potency topical and perilesional/intralesional corticosteroids are becoming increasingly useful as adjuvant to treat autoimmune blistering diseases. Objective We sought to evaluate the role of perilesional/intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (PITA) injections in reducing the time for first complete clinical remission and the total amount of systemic corticosteroids in oro‐pharyngeal pemphigus vulgaris (OPV) patients, and also the compliance of PITA injections, in terms of satisfaction, pain and discomfort. Methods Thirty‐five OPV patients were treated with conventional immunosuppressive therapy (CIST) and received high potency topical corticosteroids (clobetasol and/or methylprednisolone) and/or PITA injections. Patients were grouped as follows: (i) a group of 16 patients was treated with PITA injections and (ii) a group of 19 patients without PITA injections. Results Sixteen patients treated with PITA injections and 19 without PITA injections reached complete clinical remission within 126.6 days (SD: 41; 95% CI: 104.7–148.8) and 153.2 days (SD: 97.4; 95% CI: 106.2–200.1) (P = 0.4) respectively. The total amount of corticosteroids in patients treated with PITA and without PITA was 4894 mg (SD: 2832; 95% CI: 3385–6403) and 5312 mg (SD: 4009; 95% CI: 3380–7245) (P = 0.4) respectively. Patients treated with PITA reported a satisfaction score significantly higher than pain (P = 0.0007) and discomfort score (P = 0.0006). Conclusion Perilesional/intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections seems to represent a helpful clinical tool to successfully join CIST, in terms of shortening the time of complete clinical remission, reducing the total amount of corticosteroids and obtaining an acceptable compliance.     

Safety of intralesional injection of lauromacrogol combined with triamcinolone for infantile hemangiomas

The efficacy of lauromacrogol injection therapy and intralesional triamcinolone for infantile hemangiomas (IH) has been well documented recently, but with an increase in serious or rare adverse reactions. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety concerns regarding intralesional injection of lauromacrogol combined with triamcinolone for IH and to study its effect on infant growth and development. A total of 1039 IH patients who were subjected to intralesional injection of lauromacrogol combined with triamcinolone in the Plastic Surgery Department of Shandong Provincial Hospital between 1 January 2015 and 31 May 2018 were enrolled in this study. When the dose of lauromacrogol and triamcinolone was less than 3.5 and 2.0 mg/kg respectively, no serious side‐effects were observed. The adverse event rate reported was 7.7%. Among the 405 patients not subjected to propranolol before the last injection, the study included three modes of treatment response: regression (82.7%), stabilization (13.8%) and failure (3.5%). By comparing height and weight to the reference standards and also by comparisons between the same‐sex groups, our results confirmed that there was no significant effect on children's height and weight, regardless of whether the injection therapy was combined with oral propranolol at the appropriate dose and with more than 4‐week intervals. Intralesional injection of lauromacrogol combined with triamcinolone in the treatment of IH was highly safe and effective.     

Efficacy of long‐term intralesional triamcinolone in Morbihan's disease and its possible association with mast cell infiltration

Morbihan's disease is characterized by chronic persistent facial edema of the upper half of the face, absence of typical diagnostic findings, and refractoriness to treatment. A 44‐year‐old man was diagnosed with Morbihan's disease based on clinical signs and histopathology, which showed dermal edema in upper dermis, discrete lymphocytic infiltrate without granulomatous reaction, and mast cell infiltration. After long‐term therapy with intralesional triamcinolone a remarkable objective and subjective clinical response was observed. Reported cases of Morbihan's disease are reviewed, with respect to their treatment and histopathological findings. Mast cell infiltration has been observed on histopathology in most patients who responded to intralesional triamcinolone, suggesting a possible marker of response. The long‐lasting response seen in our case indicates the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone in this rare condition.     

Mechanical properties of keloids in vivo during treatment with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide

The mechanical properties of 17 keloids in 9 patients before and during treatment with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide were studied using a recently developed noninvasive suction device for measuring skin elasticity in vivo. Each keloid was treated with intralesional injections of 10 mg/ml triamcinolone acetonide without local anaesthetic at intervals of 3 weeks. A total of four measurements per keloid were performed, before treatment and 3 weeks after the first, second and third treatments. The parameters used were: immediate distension (Ue), delayed distension (Uv), immediate retraction (Ur) and final distension (Uf). Relative parameters independent of skin thickness were calculated:Uv/Ue, the ratio between the viscous and the elastic deformation of the skin, andUr/Uf, representing the ability of the skin to return to its initial position after deformation (biological elasticity). After three injections of triamcinolone acetonide a marked decrease inUv/Ue and a lesspronounced increase inUr/Uf compared with baseline values was observed. These findings indicate that the main effect of intralesional steroids on the connective tissue of keloids is a decrease in viscosity due to a loss of ground substance. This method provides a noninvasive quantitative assessment of the mechanical properties of scars and is well suited to comparative studies on the efficacy of various scar therapies.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. S. Borelli on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in keloids: a clinicopathologic study

Background  Despite their benign nature, keloids are usually associated with considerable cosmetic effects and may lead to functional problems. Recently, it has been reported that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic factor, is overexpressed in keloid tissue and may have a potential role in its evolution.
Methods  Twenty patients with keloids were included in this study and classified into two groups according to the treatment received: intralesional triamcinolone acetonide 20 mg/mL (group 1) and cryotherapy spray technique (group 2). Treatment was continued until clearance or for a maximum of six sessions, and the follow-up period was 1 year. Skin biopsies were taken from patients before and after treatment to evaluate keloid pathology and from patients and 10 healthy controls to detect the immunohistochemical expression of VEGF.
Results  Histopathologic examination revealed a remarkable resolution of the nodular arrangement of collagen after therapy, particularly in group 1. A statistically significant difference in VEGF expression was found between patients before therapy and controls, and between patients before and after therapy in each group. There was no significant difference in the treatment outcome between intralesional steroids and cryotherapy. No significant correlation was observed between the clinical variables of keloids and both VEGF expression and clinical response to therapy.
Conclusion  VEGF seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of keloids and may be a useful guide in the evaluation of keloid therapeutics. Modulation of its production may provide a valuable treatment for keloids.     

曲安奈德益康唑乳膏长疗程间歇疗法治疗局限性慢性湿疹

目的 探讨外用糖皮质激素长疗程间歇疗法治疗局限性慢性湿疹的疗效、安全性及复发情况,以指导临床用药.方法 选取门诊局限性慢性湿疹患者,外用曲安奈德益康唑乳膏短程治疗.症状积分下降指数(SSRI)≥190%的患者进入长疗程,随机分两组,分别外用曲安奈德益康唑乳膏和润肤霜,间歇用药,共治疗8周.长疗程治疗4周、8周时及长疗程治疗停药12周时各随访1次.结果 长疗程治疗8周及停药12周时,曲安奈德益康唑组SCORAD评分均显著低于润肤霜组(t值分别为3.076和2.367,P值均<0.05).长疗程治疗4周、8周及停药12周时,曲安奈德益康唑组复发率均显著低于润肤霜组(x2值分别为4.426、7.683、8.199,P值均<0.05).治疗期间不良反应发生率3.1%,无严重不良事件.结论 外用糖皮质激素长疗程间歇治疗慢性湿疹,有防止症状加重、延缓湿疹复发的作用.     

曲安奈德益康唑乳膏长疗程间歇疗法治疗局限性慢性湿疹

目的 探讨外用糖皮质激素长疗程间歇疗法治疗局限性慢性湿疹的疗效、安全性及复发情况,以指导临床用药.方法 选取门诊局限性慢性湿疹患者,外用曲安奈德益康唑乳膏短程治疗.症状积分下降指数(SSRI)≥190%的患者进入长疗程,随机分两组,分别外用曲安奈德益康唑乳膏和润肤霜,间歇用药,共治疗8周.长疗程治疗4周、8周时及长疗程治疗停药12周时各随访1次.结果 长疗程治疗8周及停药12周时,曲安奈德益康唑组SCORAD评分均显著低于润肤霜组(t值分别为3.076和2.367,P值均<0.05).长疗程治疗4周、8周及停药12周时,曲安奈德益康唑组复发率均显著低于润肤霜组(x2值分别为4.426、7.683、8.199,P值均<0.05).治疗期间不良反应发生率3.1%,无严重不良事件.结论 外用糖皮质激素长疗程间歇治疗慢性湿疹,有防止症状加重、延缓湿疹复发的作用.     

Azone® enhances clinical effectiveness of an optimized formulation of triamcinolone acetonide in atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing condition affecting up to 14% of the population in Western countries. Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Triamcinolone acetonide, a corticoid of intermediate potency, has proven useful in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a triamcinolone acetonide-laurocapram combination in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients were enrolled in a three-arm, parallel group, controlled clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a triamcinolone acetonide (0.05%) and laurocapram combination, applied twice daily for 2 weeks, in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Fifty patients received triamcinolone acetonide-laurocapram (TNX), 50 triamcinolone acetonide (TN), and 50 a vehicle control formulation (AN). Response to treatment was evaluated by change in disease severity at 6 h, at 3, 8, and 15 days after the start of treatment, and by the global change in disease status. RESULTS: TNX effected a significantly higher degree of improvement in the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (erythema, induration, and pruritus) and a greater overall improvement in disease status compared with treatment with TN or AN. Treatment-associated side-effects were local reactions, occurring in three, two, and six patients in the TNX, TN, and AN groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the incorporation of laurocapram in the formulation enhances the effectiveness of triamcinolone acetonide, without compromising its safety profile.     

Successful treatment with fluconazole of protothecosis developing at the site of an intralesional corticosteroid injection

Summary We report a case of cutaneous protothecosis treated successfully with oral fluconazole. Fluconazole appears to be an effective alternative to conventional drugs for the treatment of cutaneous protothecosis. Cutaneous protothecosis is an uncommon infection due to achlorophyllic, saprophytic, algae-like unicellular organisms of the genus Prototheca that occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients. To date there is no standard treatment regimen. Surgical excision, oral ketoconazole, intravenous amphotericin B alone or in combination with oral teracycline have been reported to be effective in the management of protothecosis.^1–3 We report a 55-year-old immunocompetent woman with cutaneous protothecosis which developed at the site of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection, who was successfully treated with oral fluconazole.     

Intralesional treatment of alopecia areata with triamcinolone acetonide by jet injector

Eighty-four patients with alopecia areata of varying degree have been treated by intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide, using a needleless injector (Porto-Jet). Results indicate that, in limited alopecia, a high proportion will produce a rapid regrowth of hair. In established alopecia totalis, lasting hair growth is exceptional.